Happy tails from adopted pets
No matter how big or small, young or old, it’s a magical moment when homeless pets find new families to love them. The wagging tails, rumbling purrs and smiling faces are all the proof we need of that. From coast to coast, Best Friends helps thousands of pets find new homes each year, and every adoption is a cause for celebration (and maybe a few happy tears).
We want to share some of that joy with you, so here are a few of the dogs and cats who have recently settled into their new lives with their new favorite people.
Luna
Luna is doing well. She’s getting more comfortable on her leash and she loves the dog park. Watching her figure out things for the first time has been so fun. She loves snuggles and bed-hogging. She and her brother cat are learning to love each other and play. It’s been a funny process.
She loved helping her human sis plant jelly beans for Easter. She’s a sweet girl.
Zany and Brave
It was an adaptive period for the first few days while we were on the drive back to Washington. (They were) kind of unsure of the car ride, so they were together often. They’re honestly a great little duo. Once we got back, they spent most of their time in the dome bed we got them, and as they have gotten settled, Zany claimed the cushion as his spot, while shy Brave stuck with the dome as her go-to.
Brave is a silly one to watch. Sometimes all she wants is to curl up in Zany’s space. He’ll give her a shove if he’s not feeling the company, but she still tries. Most times he’ll relent, but sometimes the message gets through and she’ll wander off. We haven’t gotten the impression that Brave is the most outgoing. Zany is more the one on point, always observing. He has figured out that we are the givers of pets, food and the favorite toy on a stick.
Most of our photos are of them curled up together because they spend a lot of time that way.
Buster
Ferrari has been renamed Buster, which he has taken to quickly. It’s a fitting name because when he is doing zoomies around the house or yard, he doesn’t care who or what is in the way. He will just bust right through.
Buster has taken to his new home and has been such a joy to me and my son. He loves car rides, toys that squeak, being outside in the sunshine and watching out the front window to closely monitor the neighborhood.
Buster quickly learned the cues: sit, wait, and down. He is a very smart pup.
He is still going through his puppy-chewing phase, so we have lots of busy bones and toys for aggressive chewers. But he still tries to sneak off with my favorite pair of sandals.
George
We are having the best time with little George. He is such a curious little guy and answers to his name very readily. (He was named in honor of George Harrison, Curious George and George of the Jungle. (Take your pick.) He is learning tricks from his new big brother, as well as teaching new tricks, too. The home where he was fostered did a great job socializing him, so he had no problem getting used to his new home. He is
well-loved here. It is difficult to get pictures of him playing because he is always on the move. But when he does decide to slow down, he goes right to sleep wherever he is.
Kaleidoscope
Life has been full and fabulous. We picked one of the busiest times of our year to bring Kaleidoscope home with us, so the fact that we have survived is a good sign to us. She has quickly become the favorite in our household (and an excuse to get out of things for Orion, our six-year-old). She is eager to please and is learning about so many things, as are we, being first-time dog owners. She has done really well learning to walk on a leash, even if there are still some eager tugs and pulls. We have a big open hill behind our house where we can let her off leash, and she loves to run and get energy out. We are still taking it slow on cohabitation with our 18-year-old cat. Kaleidoscope thinks the hisses and swipes are invitations to play. We know it will sort out, but for now they have their own respective floors.
Kaleidoscope is full of love and joy, and that has been wonderful to welcome into our home.
Malcolm
Malcolm is doing really well. He is getting absolutely spoiled, as he should. He loves exploring and is quite the curious cat. He has figured out how to open my cabinets and hide in them, as well as hide in my shower and jump out to say hi. He absolutely loves a blue ribbon that came from my yoga mat and (carries) it around with him wherever he goes. Aside from his playfulness, he is an absolute angel and will cuddle with anyone and everyone. He’s taken over my camera roll.
This article originally appeared in Best Friends magazine. You can subscribe to the magazine by becoming a Best Friends member.
Have your own magical moment
Experience the same kind of joy by adopting a dog or cat.