Forever Home Files: Emily, Tupper, Pilot, Doc/Lunchbox, and Mickey
Possibly the best part of our work is seeing a dog who was once sick, scared, and struggling in a shelter end up living their best life in a loving forever home. When we first share our Hansel Help recipients, they’ve just been rescued and often look completely different weeks or months later after receiving the care they deserve in a foster or adopter’s home. It never ceases to amaze us how much of a difference proper care and love can make.
We’re so thrilled to share this rather LARGE edition of Forever Home Files, as several of our recipients were adopted during the holiday season and the start of the new year 🥳. This isn’t even all of them! We hope you enjoy these happy tails as much as we loved being a part of them. Warning: there are a few sets of ears in here that need to be seen to be believed, and more than a few stories that may cause happy tears.
Emily from One Tail At A Time
This beautiful girl with the ridiculously amazing bunny ears was one of the long-stay pups whose care was supported by our grant to Chicago’s One Tail At A Time. (Several other long-stay Hansel Help recipients from OTAT are still looking for their forever homes — check out Avocado, Maeve, Oreo, and Almond Joy!) She was initially adopted at an adoption event in December, but was returned. It all worked out in her favor, though, as OTAT development manager Stephanie Cascio shares: “That was the sign her long term foster needed to realize she was already home 🥹. He adopted her just before the new year.” Emily’s new dad is also a volunteer and associate board member with One Tail! We think the look on her face in their photo says it all — she’s radiating pure joy that she’s right where she belongs.
Tupper from One Tail At A Time
Tupper was the first pup saved through our partnership with One Tail At A Time! Tupper was found stray and brought to Chicago Animal Care & Control. He was immediately happy and friendly despite clearly having a rough previous life — he was very skinny and not quite sure what those “toy” things were. One Tail At A Time development manager Stephanie shares “Tupper was an immediate volunteer and staff favorite upon arriving at OTAT's ISO (In Search of) Foster House. He spent about two weeks there while receiving treatment for his various medical issues, which included an upper respiratory infection, happy tail, fly strikes on his ears AND a hematoma at his neuter incision site (his neuter was done by another shelter before coming to OTAT). Throughout it all he remained happy and playful!”
We love that One Tail will always take back pets whose adoptions didn’t work out without judgement — it’s hugely important for both the people and pets. Steph shares, “We welcome our pets back and we usually learn more about them, which helps us place them with a better fit next time.” You may recognize Tupper from his previous Forever Home Files write-up, in fact — he was returned by his first adopter for no fault of his own. He’s now doing amazingly in a home that’s an even better fit! The transformation from skinny shelter pup to king of car rides and cozy couch naps is EVERYTHING.
Pilot from Hearts & Bones Rescue
Another major glow-up and another bunny-eared baby! NYC’s Hearts & Bones Rescue pulled approx. 2-year-old cutie Pilot from Dallas Animal Services last spring with help from their Hansel Help grant. Our funding helped with some of his initial treatment for his extensive skin issues, and eventually the epic 15/10 Foundation stepped in to sponsor his lifetime care! After lots of treatment and waiting, this lucky dog found his forever family just in time for the holidays! H&B development director Alicia Figueiredo shares, “His adopters are totally in love with him and his skin issues are SO much better. He's doing great!” 😍
Jed/Doc/Lunchbox from P3 (Perfectly Paired Pitties) Rescue
This special guy is a dog of many names (from shelter to rescue to his forever home) and many stories, and much social media fame! He was also the beginning of our partnership with the wonderful P3 Rescue — we originally gave them a grant for Lunchbox’s orthopedic surgery, but he didn’t end up needing the procedure, so the funding was able to be spread among additional pups (including still adoptable Kiyu and Sir Mixalot). Lunchbox was rescued from the county shelter in Prince George’s County — where there is strict BSL and dogs labeled “pit bulls” must be rescued/adopted outside of the county — on his euthanasia deadline in September. He’d been at the shelter since late July, enduring a fractured leg that entire time. With patience and lots of love and care, Lunchbox finally got the all clear from the vet last week and has now made things official with his foster-to-adopt family!!! Keep up with him here: @the.lunchboxchronicles
Mickey from NYC Second Chance Rescue
This beautiful senior, 14-year-old Mickey, ended up at Queens ACC with his pal 7-year-old Panda (who is still at the shelter and in need of a home!) after their owner passed away. A team of superheroes acted fast to save him. He was saved by NYC Second Chance Rescue and quickly hospitalized and given antibiotics and supportive care for advanced pneumonia. We honored a small pledge to the rescue to support them in Mickey’s care. He is such a lucky guy! After getting much-needed medical care, he ended up with an amazing foster who was going to be a hospice foster originally…but he has recently been ADOPTED! He even has a new kitty BFF and cuddle buddy!
His new mom, Rosetta, writes: “I’ve had Mickey for a week now and am amazed how well he’s adjusted. It’s as if he’s always been here. He will get the zoomies several times a day and race around the yard. He will look for a stick to throw around and just enjoy himself. Morning routine is a nap on the same bed as the cat. During the day he will move from two dog beds, two human beds, sofa, armchair and heated blanket depending where I am. Around 5 to 6, he will ask for his dinner by going to the feeding station. He’s very treat motivated and I’ve had visitors give him treats. He enjoys manipulating them. When I have my dinner, Mickey gets a Level 1 puzzle toy, which he now expects. Evenings, Mickey, Blossom (cat), and I lounge on the sofa together. I love it. I don’t see the dog described in the medical records. I am so grateful that he was rescued and treated medically. He’s alert, loving, and happy. I feel very lucky that we are sharing our senior years together.” 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
