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As we have pledged since our inception, no animal is ever
deemed "un-adoptable" at the Hillside, simply because of age,
physical appearance or emotional/behavior problems. We believe
every single cat and dog deserves a chance for a new life.
With tender loving care, special training and veterinary care,
we can overcome many of their problems.
Many have been severely abused and need people who have
tremendous amounts of patience, understanding and an ability
to deal with and minimize those problems. Here are some of
their stories and the stories of the very special people who
adopted them. Many of our special needs stories have a happy
ending because the animals were seen on our web site, still
others are simply a matter of "fate" -- a visit from a special
person during visiting hours at the Hillside. However they
come together, these very special animals and very special
people make us realize that there is always hope...
We are blessed from the Heavens with special people --
people like Mary Jane Branchick who adopted Cuddles a small
black dog that reminded us of ToTo from the Wizard of Oz.
Cuddles had been beaten severely as a puppy and would scream
and bite if you tried to touch her. We explained to Mary Jane
that once Cuddles trusted you - it took us several months -
she worshipped you. However, she would indeed bite because of
fear.
Well, Mary Jane fell in love with Cuddles and came to the
shelter equipped with welding gloves and took Cuddles away to
a new home. With patience and time, Cuddles is now a
wonderfully loving pet to Mary Jane and her husband!
"Toothy" and "Droopy", both over nine years old with
various medical problems, were adopted together. Toothy, a
shepherd/lab mix came to us on a long tow chain, with severe
dental problems. All but four of his teeth had to be removed
due to massive infection. Droopy was privately owned and spent
her entire 11 years chained to a pen. She had a head tilt
(vestibular syndrome) but never received medical attention
from her owner. She was so thrilled to be here, running around
the yard enjoying freedom for the first time in 11 long years!
She was an exceptionally sweet dog and oh, so cute.
Michelle Zigretti saw Droopy on our web site on the
"Special Needs" page. She also
noticed Toothy there with his puffed up lips (remember, no
teeth!). She simply had to adopt both! We were so delighted.
It was like a gift from above. Droopy and Toothy were very happy and
seem to realize that they've been given a second chance and a
wonderful home with wonderful people!
We featured "Junior", a blind white Siberian Husky in The Call
newspaper in a Pets for Adoption photo. Junior had been
abandoned by his owner and left to die on Hawk Mountain.
Imagine the fear this dog must have experienced -- abandoned
by his master, alone, hungry -- and blind.
We were shocked when we received five calls from wonderful
people who were interested in him despite his problems and
age. Jennifer Hertz showed up and off went Junior with her! A
week went by when we received a call about Junior telling us
that he was also deaf.
Our hearts dropped, but we were quickly assured that Junior
was adapting very well and they would never think of returning
him! They loved Junior and were committed to him and to giving
him a good life. (Junior has since passed on and is waiting at
the Rainbow Bridge for Jennifer...)
We are so excited, we can hardly believe that Oreo the cat,
a loooongtime resident of the Hillside SPCA got adopted! When
he arrived at our doors over five years ago, he was frightened
and bashful beyond belief. We never dreamed that he could be
successfully placed in an adoptive home, but our pledge to
give him a chance meant he'd at least always have a home here
at the Hillside.
One day, a wonderful family named Weachock visited the
Hillside and picked Oreo to become a new member of their
family. Oreo has realized the dream that we dream for all of
our residents!
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