Happy Tailssuccess stories from BARC adopters
|
I came to BARC about a week ago to look at the cats. I was very undecided about this choice since I've been a dog person for the last 50 years. After putting my beloved dog to sleep in 2006, at age 15, my husband and I were ready for another pet. We decided to adopt an adult cat because I wasn't sure I could handle a kitten. The woman wat BARC directed me straight to Dip-n- Dots who is now called Dexter. We brought him home and we couldn't believe how at home he was. There was no adjustment at all. It was like he's lived here all his life. He loves people and he loves to talk. I think he really knows he's found his forever home. Whoever abandoned him I want to say thank you. Your loss was really our gain. We love Dexter and we know he loves us too -- Madeline and Louie
|
I wanted to let you know how much we enjoy Annabelle, who we adopted from BARC in August 2005. She loves to sit in the front window and watch the birds as all of her human admirers walk by. She is still not a lap cat and may never be, but we respect her preferences and enjoy having her sit next to us on the couch or sleep at the foot of my bed just about every night. I can’t imagine how we ever lived without her and when I told this to my 12-year-old daughter she replied, “We were half-dead before we got her.” - Christine
|
Dear BARC--
Our family adopted Taylor and Yoshi (was Benji) two years apart from Barc. They have both settled in beatifully and are a source of constant laughter in our house. Taylor takes up the whole couch when he naps and Yoshi sleeps under the covers. Taylor's skill is stealing food when you're not looking and Yoshi fetches like a champ. Taylor the Weimaraner thinks he's a lapdog and Yoshi the Chihuahua thinks he's the same size as the Weimaraner. We're lucky to have them both.
|
Hello BARC! -- We just wanted to thank you once again for helping us form our wonderful family. We brought 7 year-old Toughie (once Oreo) home in early summer but it became quickly evident that this once abandoned cat wanted a sibling to play with and pass on his knowledge of being a wack. We easily found room in our home and hearts for 6 week-old Alonzo (once Jay Leno). They took to each other instantly have been
|
We adopted Mullein and Morgan (formerly Milk Thistle) from BARC several years ago. This mom--daughter duo had been abandoned in a shoe box and they had already spent five months at the shelter. Yet it didn't take them long to feel right at home in our laps, beds, on the couches etc. So, fast forward and they are still happy, healthy ladies. They are two of the friendliest, cuddliest cats imaginable and our friends often threaten to kidnap them. But since they have become such an integral part of our family, we certainly won't let that happen. All these years later, we still owe the greatest gratitude to BARC for bringing Mullein and Morgan into our lives, they always have been and will always be a great joy. Thank you! --Roxie
|
Everything happens for a good reason.
|
Hi BARC! I just wanted to let you know that Barney, formerly known as Baby Powder is doing great. I am so happy I found him. He was a stray and now has a loving home. He was a little nervous at first with other people but he's doing much better now. Barney loves to go for walks, cuddle, and give kisses. He also enjoys sleeping late and lounging on the couch eating bones. He is so cute. Thank you so much for helping me find Barney!
|
I adopted Cano (Turkish for "darling") from BARC and I used to live 4 blocks away from the shelter. Whenever we went out, she was dragging me back to the shelter! I didn't understand it at first, but when we went back to see Dr. Felton, I saw how happy Cano was. She just wanted to stay there, but she couldn't leave me either ! She is an amazing lab-pitbull mix and really friendly. Some people may be wary about adopting a pitbull mix at first but Cano is the most adorable dog ever. And the nicest people working at BARC! Now she's living happily with me in Istanbul, but she wanted me to write you to say much she misses her friends and family back home ! Thanks for being there!-- Asli & Cano
|
Hello BARC ! I just wanted to let you know that Seymour and Simon (formerly Jason) are doing extremely well. My girlfriend and I adopted them a little over a year ago, and they're absolutely thriving. Seymour, who we mostly just call Moose, is such a
|
I adopted my dog Nantucket, Tucket for short, from BARC back in October 2003. He inspired me to start a website about dog adoptions. Read Tucket's story and view his gallary of photos at: http://www.pupsdaily.com/about/
|
I just wanted to let you know that Coco (formerly Eddie) is doing extremely well. I brought him home in January on a very cold, snowy day. He was a little shy at first, but came out of his shell within weeks. He is such a cuddly, loving and loyal dog. He has quite a passion for burying himself under the covers. Coco also loves to run in circles at the dog park, roll around in the grass, as well as chase birds and very tiny balls. Quite often, he stands on his hind legs to have his tiny belly rubbed. I'm so grateful to BARC for finding him. My life is so much richer because of him! Thanks--Michelle
|
 From the moment we walked Lucy (formerly Vanilla Bean), we fell in love, and knew that she was the perfect dog for us! She is incredibly gentle and mild tempered. She was even trained to 'sit', 'lay down' and give her 'paw'. Each day she amazes us with her intelligence and charm. She is at once mellow and playful. She loves playing fetch at the park, going for runs, and playing hide-and-seek with her toys! She's an athlete and inspires us to be active every day. Since we got her, she has gone on trips to the beach (possibly her favorite place in the world!) and hiking upstate - she loves to ride in the car. She loves playing with other dogs too. Every day people stop and admire Lucy's grace, uniqueness and calm demeanor. She has truly made us feel like a family, and has brought us more joy than we could have imagined. We are so thankful for BARC Shelter for giving Lucy a chance, and allowing us to find the perfect pet! Thank you! -- Jessi & Chris
|
Hello! -- We adopted Dash in July, and wanted to let you know he is doing great! He's already been camping a few times, has gone in the water on Eastern Long Island, and has had many nice, long walks here in Greenpoint.
|
We fell in love with Java (aka"Jaba") at first sight. We saw her picture on the BARC website and immediately followed up with a visit to the shelter to take her for a walk. We knew right away she was a perfect match. We brought Java home the first week in July and almost two months later she has settled into her new life quite nicely. Java likes to go on walks in her new neighborhood and loves to run around Java has changed our lives for the better and makes us laugh on a daily basis. Thank you, BARC!--Pam
|
Hello BARC-- We are finally writing to you to update you on our wonderful cat, Jazzy (aka DJ Jazzy Jazz) - formerly Jasmine - who we adopted from you in February 2007. She is such an incredible cat - sweet, smart and always vocal. Although we were told she had a history of health problems and that she was even adopted and returned due to health complications, Jazzy has been completely healthy and thriving in the two years that we've had her! Our home would not be the same without her and we thank you for allowing us to adopt her. Jazzy loves her cat-mate, Edward, and even plays with our dog, Mabel. When Jazzy isn't eating or playing she is usually curled up in near proximity to my husband (and her best friend), Mark. Attached is a photo of just one of the many yoga-like sleeping postures she takes. Thank you for bringing Jazzy into our lives! -- Lisa
|
Tango (named Matthew at BARC) was found tied up on N 10th and Driggs in the rain. He was in a terrible state of neglect - a mass of matts and nails that curled under so he could hardly walk. It took BARC staff hours to cut away the tangles and matts (that's how he got the name Matthew). We adopted him Labor Day weekend of 2001 and have loved him ever since. Over the years Tango gave us so much joy and companionship.
We still have our kitty Missy who came from BARC and recent addition, puggle Maggie May who is also a rescue. Thank you Tony, Vinny, Debbie, and everyone at BARC for doing the work that you do. You gave Tango a chance all those years ago so that we could give him a home. What a special gift. --Jenn & Jose
|
I just wanted to let everyone know that Miles is doing well and thriving. I adopted Miles from BARC in October, '07. We stop by occasionally to visit since we are still nearby in Brooklyn,but I wanted to post an update,so that other people that knew him from his time there would know that he is happy and healthy. He has been a great blessing to me and is an outstanding goodwill representative for pit bulls,as well as 'shelter' dogs. Miles makes new friends everyday, and has a legion of friends that rivals a busy socialite.(lol) Very
|
It's been 4-1/2 years since I took Baxter home (aka Big Daddy at BARC). I had spent several years volunteering at BARC and met many many wonderful cats. The temptation to take them all home was ever present. So why Baxter? He's such a big cat and his size was a bit intimidating at first glance. From what I understood he was tossed into the shelter on morning and was found by staff upon opening. But he is the sweetest, most zen-like cat I've ever met. He used to follow my every step around the
|
 Dearest BARC--About one month ago my girlfriend and I decided to begin checking the local shelters for 'that-special-cat'. You were the first shelter we visited and within 15 minutes we had found him. Toughie (once known as Oreo) was a demure 6 year old male who won us over instantly by quietly climbing into our laps and informing us that Yes, in fact, we were here adopt him. We knew it would be futile to resist and it was quite possibly the best decision we ever made.
|
I adopted two dogs from BARC back in January 2005. They are from two different litters surrendered to the shelter, and both are some sort of poodle-mix. Anyway, they are awesome dogs and I love them more than anything. So, I wanted to send you an update on the fellers and express my gratitude. Seamus is about 5 years old now. He is a very chill dog, and he's a little guy so his bark sounds kind of like a little monkey. He is easily my best friend and follows me anytime I even go to another room in my tiny apt. Sprocket, his sister, seems to have more of the poodle genes in her. She is very intelligent and loves learning tricks. When she gets excited she has a tendency to high five like crazy. She is also a bit vengeful in an intelligent way. If I clip her nails (she hates it) or if i don't come home soon enough for her she will pee wherever is my chill spot in the apt. She's a nutter, but I love her all the same. When I first adopted her she was a year old (now about 5-1/2)vand was extremely nervous. I am very thankful she got into your hands where she could find a home. Since then she has become a more confident dog and rarely gets the shakes. Thank you. These pups have come to be my best buds. Every day I am thankful for them. Cheers-- Meaghann
|
Just wanted to give an update on the love of our lives: Candy. My best friend and I adopted Candy from BARC in September of 2007. Since then, Candy has charmed the pants off our entire neighborhood, all of our friends, family members, strangers, construction workers – basically anyone who has a heart has fallen in love with this dog. She loves to snuggle and sleeps with either of her moms every night. She’s a big snoozer and a serious fan of air conditioning. When she has too much energy, she entertains us with her “zoomies” which is essentially her running 100 mph through the house, tearing through any obstacles in her sight. Her strong jaw makes it hard for her to maintain any toy for more than a day, but she has left her “baby” – a stuffed squirrel – unscathed. She gives her baby lots of kisses and likes to bring it into the bed with her when she sleeps. I can’t imagine our lives without Candy and we will be forever grateful to the folks at BARC for rescuing her and bringing her into our lives. I've attached a pic of Candy schnoozing on the couch. - Stacey
|
Hi BARC--Just wanted to let you know that Shea (formerly known as Emily) is doing great! My boyfriend and I came to BARC a little over 2 months ago and Shea stole our hearts. She had been adopted by someone else who unfortunately couldn't keep her and the day that she was brought back we found her. It all worked out just fine. She took very little time realize that she had found her permanent home; we can't imagine life without her. Shea has made many friends at the dog park, loves to play tug-o-war and then sleeps like a baby when we get home.
|
My love story is about a relationship I carried on for well over a year, with Valencia-known as the attack cat. I volunteered at BARC and fostered Valencia. He was beautiful, smart, curious and bold-I was afraid of him, but also intrigued; I fell in love with him. Through the gentle coaxing from one of BARC's wonderful volunteers, Lesly, who would softly say to me"just take him." The support of Mary, another loyal volunteer, who would point out how Valencia would sit in my purse and the reassurance from Jaesyn, the cat whisper, I finally relented and decided to take him.
|
Hi BARC!-- Mae (AKA Marsha) is doing great. Here she is (on the left)
kicking back with a friend. Mae has proven to be a very resilient
girl. Over the last two months, she has fattened up nicely, refined
her housebreaking skills, and won heart of every human in her path.
|
Dear BARC--This happy tail has been a long time coming. Lola, formerly known as Praline, was a semi feral cat who had been in the shelter since August of 2007. I adopted her in late December of 2007, not long after I lost one of my two cats to FIV. She spent some time cowering in the bathroom and would come and lick wet food off of my hands, but was quite skittish, running away from me if I came anywhere near. Over time, Lola calmed down and grew to particularly like to sleep on clothing I would leave on furniture. And she eventually stretched out more and became friendlier. I began to try to pet her when I gave the kitties wet food. Sometimes it worked. She grew less fearful and more photogenic as time went on. But the real breakthrough? Lola finally loves to be petted. She purrs and purrs, and particularly enjoys a nice, relaxing bellyrub. I think this one will eventually be a lap cat. Thank you so much for saving Lola so I could bring her into my life.-- Mary
|
We picked up Julius at BARC in May of 2007. He had been found on the street in Bushwick and BARC had dubbed him Bushbird as a result. My girlfriend and I had gone around looking at all the cats and trying to make a decision but it wasn't easy. Julius was so handsome that I asked for the attendant to open his cage. She did and he immediately came over and put his paws on my shoulder. My girlfriend looked over and we were both looking at her and she said "I think he wants you to pick him
|
Hi BARC, I am writing to share with you the wonderful update about Splash, whom I adopted in early January. I have re-named her Sweetie-Pie because that really describes her. I had volunteered at BARC several times and had always had a soft spot her. During my last volunteering project, decided to adopt her. She is doing GREAT! She is the sweetest, most snuggly, lovable cat I have
ever had. AND she is equally as friendly and lovable to anyone I bring
|
inseparable ever since. They play all day, snuggle in the sun together and share our pillows at night. They are true lap cats and will purr contentedly for hours of brushing, petting and kisses. My fiance and I have so much to be thankful for this year, but what we are most proud of is the warm, loving, happy home that we share with these goofy little children. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping bring so much love and happiness into our lives.--Stephen 
wonderful cat. We thought he would be slightly institutionalized since he had spent his entire life in a cage (he was a blood donor for a number of years) but it turns out that he's as sweet as a newborn kitten. Simon, though it took him some time to get used to being in a new home, has completely taken over the apartment. His toys are everywhere, he sleeps wherever he 
wants, and he wakes us up for breakfast whenever he feels like it. He's lucky that he's so cute, otherwise we might just go back to bed!
Our two boys get along fantastically; they cuddle all day and sleep together on our bed at night. Moose even gives Simon baths! We can't imagine not having these gorgeous cats in our home and in our life, so thank you for taking such good care of them until we found each other.
All our best,
Arielle and Anah 
He is very gentle with our two cats and he is a very welcomed addition to our family. He is great with commands and loves his head and belly rubbed. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to have him as apart of our family!
Best-- Adam & Kelly 
off leash in Prospect Park but mostly she enjoys being close to (read: on top of) her family and friends. Her current obsession is fetching and destroying sticks at dog beach (it took her a bit to learn how to swim but now she's doing laps!). 
7/21/09, he was 15 years old (he was 7 when we adopted him). Tango was such a good and beautiful boy, we were so lucky to have him in our lives. We miss him very much and know he is having all the pig ears he wants up in heaven. 
perceptive,outgoing,inqusitive, personable, and his eyes and good looks tend to draw people in and make them do his bidding. He makes me (and others) laugh at least once a day, and he is the best snugglebunny ever,seriously. Miles is very intelligent and never ceases to amaze me with subleties of his nature, he is constantly thinking,and has the memory of an elephant, he has made me more aware of my own enviorment and the subleties of my own nature. He definitely makes me a better human. Thanks BARC staff and volunteers for the work that you do that makes these unique connections possible.
Sincerely--
Elizabeth 
shelter and then sit and stare up at me. What a charmer. He still follows me everywhere in the apt. and still stares up at me all the time. He has no vocal chords so his meows are nothing more than a whisper but that doesn't stop him for talking to me. When he wakes up from a nap he's very "vocal". I think he just wants me to know that he's up and ready for hugs. Nothing ever seems to bother him. He's so calm and content. I call him my Zen Buddha Kitty. I adore him - all 18 lbs. of him.--Anne D. 
We also just started to let her off leash while in Central Park. She has a "thing" for squirrels but is doing much better at not chasing them and listening when we call her name. Shea is also a big cuddle bug, she loves to be close to you (or on you). When we tell people that we rescued her they say that she is so lucky but I always remind them that we are the lucky ones!! Thank you so much for all that you do and we sing your praises when asked where we found her. -- Pam and David
And grew to love clothing even more. She is pictured here sitting on a sweatshirt I sleep in during the winter. If I leave this sweatshirt on the bed after I get up, she heads right to it. She grew to love catnip, here in banana form! 
up." I did and he started drooling on me and the woman who was working there then said "It looks like you've found a match." and we had. Now, nearly two years on "Bushbird" became "Julius" who is forever called by his nickname "The Weens". We'll always be grateful to BARC for introducing us to The Weens. We love him. - Joshua R. 
Charmaine