Adopted pets find connection and joy in their new homes
Every pet adoption is a fresh start — not just for the animals but for their new family members, too. From a cat’s boundless energy and a dog’s camping adventures to two pups finding confidence and sweet friendships, these happy tales remind us what love and patience can do. Here’s how life looks today for a few recently adopted pets from Best Friends Animal Society.
Kisten, adopted by Bree
I call Hutton Kisten now, and he is perfect! You can see how wonderfully “floofy” he has gotten. And while he does sometimes notice the missing paw (usually when playing), it really doesn’t seem to bother him or slow him down in the slightest. He’s a sweet boy and an absolutely loved member of my little family.
Fuego, adopted by Emily and Blake
Every day, I reflect on how amazing these dogs settled into each other. The three of them love playing. It’s so great to see them together. Fuego is quite the cuddler and wants to be up on the bed with the pack at night. He has no problem sitting on our laps on car rides. We took Fuego to his first national park this past weekend! We camped at Bryce Canyon and can’t wait for the next camping adventure.
Heidi, adopted by Meloney and Steve
My name is Heidi, and I’m a schnoodle. I live in Las Vegas and am so happy to have my forever home. I wouldn’t let anyone touch me for the first 10 months, but now I get petted frequently and it feels great. I’m very affectionate and love to kiss my mommy’s nose. Although I initially hated collars and leashes, I’m learning to get leashed and do this fabulous thing called “going for walks.” We cuddle in bed and thank our lucky stars for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and for all the love and joy we share.
Pinon, adopted by the Phillips family
Pin has made great progress and is happily cohabitating with his kitty friends. That was our biggest concern, but once we introduced them, Pin did fantastic! Our big “mean” kitty, whom Pin is a little wary of, has been caught cuddled up to Pin while we are not in the room. We are very grateful for the progress he has made. We absolutely adore him. He is definitely a handful, but he is a great listener and the sweetest dog I have encountered.
This article was originally published in the November/December 2025 issue of Best Friends magazine. Want more good news? Become a member and get stories like this six times a year.
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