We were all devastated, but Ziggy was literally heart sick.  We knew that we needed to find a buddy for him quickly so I called AHF and requested a foster dog ASAP. I believe that we now hold the record for the biggest foster family failure as,two days after she joined our family, we asked if we could keep her and Nika (Gracie) is now an official member of the Brown family.  While no dog can ever replace Allie, Gracie is quickly creating her own place in our hearts. Thanks to AHF for helping us through a truly difficult time.

Tammy and Paul Brown

Powder now Cooper

The Oswald Family

Holly

Sassy

We just wanted to take this opportunity to say how happy we are with our two kitties, Holly and Sassy that we adopted from Almost Home Foundation in August, 2007.  We previously had two older cats that we had to have put to sleep over the previous two years.  We missed them so much and would go to shelters, etc., just to visit cats.  We stopped in the PetsMart in Bloomingdale one Saturday when Almost Home was there with cats and dogs for adoption.  As soon as we saw Holly and Sassy we fell in love with them.  They were cuddled up together sleeping.  Their Foster Mom, Jennifer, told us about them and how they are really close – like to eat out of the same bowl, sleep together, etc.  She was so helpful getting us through the adoption process and showing us what food, toys, treats, etc. Holly and Sassy liked.  We took Holly and Sassy home that day, and they have been such a joy every day since then!  They still eat out of the same bowl, sleep together and play fight.  The cats we had before would play fight to a certain extent, but they were not sisters and would actually get mad at each other and hiss.  Holly and Sassy never do.  They take turns being the aggressor and the prey.  They are so sweet and really seem to love each other.  The first night we brought them home, if one of them was in a different room from the other one, they would cry and the other one would come running.  Jennifer and Paul always made themselves available if we had any questions and made the post-adoption process related to getting the rest of their shots, spaying, microchipping, etc., easy too.  We are so happy we found Holly and Sassy and that Jennifer, through Almost Home Foundation, raised them so lovingly.  Thank you Almost Home and Jennifer!

Barbara and Ken Pugh

Chewy was timid for about a week, sleeping on the shelves in the boys closets, coming out to visit only occassionaly and taking comfort in his closest kittenmate Missy. Well it didn't take Chewy long to get comfortable here. He is now a beautiful boy full of the confidence I didn't think was in him. He enjoys the constant racing through the house with Missy ( now Leigha) and loves to play with all sorts of toys, and nontoys that he finds interesting. Our "alpha male" turns out to be so "non alpha" after all. He has taken Chewy under his wing and has taught him all sorts of things, including how to turn on the radio in our bedroom at around 5am daily as our am food wake up call. (that, I could do without)It is fun watching Chewy imitate our 2 yo male cat "Milo" Chewy and Milo both sleep with us at night  as well. Chewy is over 5# now, and eats more than any of the other animals-I don't really know where he puts it all. 

Chewy has his own little adorable personality now, what a gem we got in him! Oh, and the funny little thing about him, is that he chews his nails when they get too long. What a great name for a great cat. 

Thanks Almost Home Foundation, for making our home more complete, and for knowing that kittens need to be adopted in pairs, Chewy and Leigha love their wrestling/running/rolling around sessions, even our other pets cannot keep up with them 

The Herzau family

The Herzau family

While meeting with the female dog's foster mom we met Wally's foster dad.  Wally was in the back getting groomed and we didn't meet him that day, but we did learn a lot of horrifying details about where he came from.  After leaving Petsmart, Joe and I both look at each other and we knew we wanted to meet Wally, then Durango.  

Wally was one of the Chihuahua's rescued from a puppy mill. He was in bad shape when he was taken in.  I was told he couldn't walk and he would just drag his back legs. I don't want to see a puppy mill cage that's so small that a 5 lb Chihuahua can't stand up or walk around in.  He was even described as 'not good enough’ which translates to me as ‘perfect.’  

His wonderful foster family took him in despite his short comings and we are so happy that we met his foster dad that day. Poor Wally will soon have almost all his teeth removed because they are rotten and brown, his legs are now fully functioning, but he still cannot make stairs, his chest bone is deformed and sticks out more than it should, it’s obvious he has some psychological issues and more recently I found a puncture hole in his ear where there was, no doubt, a tag with a number on it from the puppy mill.  

Puppy mills are truly evil.  Wally's life changed when AHF rescued him, when his foster family took him in and when we adopted him. He gained a pound (a lot for a 5 lb dog, but he needed it) and looks so healthy.  He is now the prince of his castle (Billy is the king!).  Wally eats the best dog food I could research and find, he sleeps curled up next to me at night, he has an overflowing toy box, he rides in his doggy car seat to grandma's and grandpa's (my parents) to be spoiled and to the dog park and best of all he has his brothers, Billy and Willy, teaching him just how to be a dog for once in his life. 

Little Walter is his mommy and daddy's baby and a perfect addition to our family.  We love him dearly and just like with Bill and Will, we can’t imagine life without him.  I never did get my little girl... yet ;)

Diana and Joe 

Stratford aka Bandit

A Great Update!

Bandit  Now!

It had just been a few weeks since we had lost our 15 yr old Golden Retreiver to kidney failure, so we weren't quite sure if we were ready to take a on another pet.  Long story short Bandit has been a part of our family for almost a year now. He is a very well behaved and quite at home with us now.  He loves his back yard filled with lots of squirrels to "talk" to and chase.  He also loves other dogs and likes to peek through the fence at his neighbor dogs. 

It has been so rewarding to see this little guy who was rescued from a bad situation - change from a very timid dog to a confident (yet still cautious) happy dog.  

Thank you ALMOST HOME and your volunteers for the wonderful and dedicated work that you do!  You have added a blessing to our life.

Gary & Theresa

Sincerely,

The Priests and Brothers at Saint Viator High School - Arlington Heights, IL

I have 4 dogs – and Wilson gets along with them all great.  As a matter-o-fact the best part is that his strongest bond seems to be with my oldest dog, Harley.  She is a 9 year old Jack Russell and it seems she has found her youth again with the introduction of Wilson .  They play constantly.  And, I mean constantly – to the point that sometimes we can’t hear the TV over their play fights. 

He has been a wonderful addition to my brood… he is a huge bed hog though!  But, who can resist that face?  His favorite position is to lay his head right on the pillow with mine.

My husband has always loved orange tabbies so I decided to get him one for father's day.  We have had BJ for about a year now.  He is a beautiful kitty, but he is big. Friends and family always comment on how pretty he is.  We have nicknamed him Big Guy because he is three times bigger and heavier then our other cat. Since we have gotten him our other cat looks great.  He has energy and looks healthy.  BJ drives him crazy wanting to play but that is great for him.  

I have to say I have never know cats to  eat some of the things he likes such as potato chips and croutons of all things!  He also begs like a dog! He has been known to put his paw in a bowl you are eating out of and dig things out of the recycling. His cabinet opening skills are  quite good. BJ is also quite fond of my plants which are not fairing as well as he is.  It was a difficult adjustment for him.  He moved quite a bit in a short time but he seems happy and is enjoying our family and we are enjoying him.  

Thanks for letting us take him home!

The Swatscheno Family

Willy 

Billy is the leader and Willy doesn't mind that at all.  Billy takes care of Willy so well and he even licks his face and ears clean everyday.  The boys are my shadow and I take them for visits to my parents, aka grandma and grandpa’s, every week where they play with their four dogs.  It's craziness with six dogs running around, but in a wonderful way.  

The boys also enjoy going to the dog park VERY often and to the drive in movie theater.  They also look out for the toys I bring them about twice a week.  Billy and Willy are also looking forward to a camping trip soon.  These little guys are the loves of my life and we have Almost Home and their WONDERFUL foster mom to thank.

Diana and Joe

Wrigley

Ozzie

My roommate Barb had been an avid petfinder.com watcher.  Every night you could find her at the computer scrolling through the hundreds of cats and dogs on the website.  She knew our pet was out there waiting for us to find him/her!  When we read the "Box of Torties" story, we knew our search was over.  Immediately Barb sent an e-mail to find out if any of the kittens were still available for adoption.  The next day we were in touch with their foster mother and after going through the paperwork, we set up a date to pick up two tortie kittens.  Funny.... the two kittens that were still available were the two kittens we were drawn to in the picture of the four tortie siblings! Must have been fate!  Wrigley and Ozzie (yes... there is the great divide of baseball loyalty in our household) are doing very well!  

Healthy and eating everything in sight.  The two are into anything they can get their little paws on and love to explore every nook and cranny in the house.  They are actually finding holes in areas we didn't even know existed!  Wrigley realized there was a tiny hole under one of the kitchen cabinets and squished her body right through it.  Thankfully it just led to the inside of the cabinet.  But they are definitely keeping us on our toes!

Adopting the sisters together was such a blessing.  Wrigley and Ozzie do everything together: eat, sleep, play, purr.  They even use the litterbox together!  We couldn't imagine having one without the other.  

Thank you Almost Home Foudnation for your hard work and dedication to helping orphan pets find their forever home!

Melissa (go Cubs!) and Barb     

The Krupa Family

I am a foster failure! But, it isn't my fault! My husband, who did not even want me to start fostering could not let Hairy go. He absolutely fell in love with him even though we already had 2 dogs that we adore. Hairy can be found most evenings on my husbands lap being petted & loved. Last night he even got a bath-by my husband!

It seems Hairy has always been with us as he fits right in and gets along with everyone. His now favorite activity is going for walks-he loves to see the leash come out. I admit walking 3 dogs is a bit much, but Hairy is probably the best behaved of all! I really didn't plan this, but sometimes things turn out the way 'THEY WERE MEANT TO BE'. 

Thanks again for ALL you do in helping innocent animals find their Forever Homes.

The Russell Family

Allie

I didn't know how it would be with 2 dogs, but it is so fun to watch them play together in the yard and sleep on couches and play all over the house together. Allie is still a bit shy but does cuddle up with me. Buck is fun and my son has become very fond of him. 

Hopefully Allie will warm up. I worry since she still cowers when the boys talk to her. But they are so lovable. I am thankful we could adopt them together. Thank you and Gidget for taking such great care of them while you had them. 

You do such a wonderful service to all the animals and Thank God for all of you!

Sincerely,
The Ziehm Family

Thank you, Almost Home Foundation, for the work you do,

Doug and Cathy Koch

Erin and Mike Corliss

“There’s just something missing” is what I would say to my husband.  We have been married twenty-eight years and for twenty-two of those years, we’ve had a dog in our lives.  After we lost our last Irish Setter, my husband said, “No more.  I cannot lose another dog.”  But then as time went by, and our daughter kept bugging us, we were finally ready.

After searching the web, we came across the Almost Home Foundation.  We decided to look for a Golden Retriever.  As we scrolled down the pictures, we came across Rocket.  My husband was immediately sure that he was the one for us.  Then we read about him.

“When he came to Almost Home we soon learned that he was definitely a more dominant dog who did not always want to listen to people. So Rocket had to go to live with a trainer who worked with him.   A lot of dogs are fine without a firm owner, but not Rocket.   Because of his natural dominance he needs someone who is more than a loving owner; he needs a strong pack leader who will take charge at all times, so Rocket can be a follower.”

It was evident that Rocket could not go to a home with small children or people who could not handle his dominance.  Since we had some experience in confirmation and obedience with large dogs, we didn’t think he would be a problem. So when we contacted Chuck Hanson at the foundation, he was very encouraging and helpful.  I said to my husband, “This is fate.  This dog is meant for us.”  We went to see Rocket at his foster home.  I was a bit unsure about him after learning about his growling problem.  But we decided to take him for the 2 week trial period.  We had his former trainer Kim Bobka from Teacher’s Pet K-9 School come to the house to help us.

My husband easily became the “alpha male” but I had some fears.  Rocket was full of energy, playful, extremely smart, and so loving and affectionate but that growling really made me unsure of our choice.  Then I thought about his background and wondered what he had been through in his 2½ years and who would take him if not us.  With time, patience, and learning how to work with him, he has come a long way…and is now a part of our family.

Thank you Almost Home Foundation for all that you do.

Marilee & Russell Alsip

She get's her surgery in February and won't have to go through having more puppies, because whomever took her to the "kill-place" never knew her warmth and total acceptance.  She loves to play with other dogs and is somewhat dominate - OK, that works.  Someone has to be.

IDomino is a Cocker Spaniel with a white chest and an inch or so of "milk" white on her muzzle.  Oh, and the name, Domino came from the black freckles in that white muzzle.  No, not after the pizza place!

Norm

Joy now Tessy

We were a family of four but are now a family of six with our best little kitties in the world.  

Thank you Almost Home!!  

The Hawes Family

Thank you for giving Addison the life she has. I know I can't imagine my own life without my two girls.

Cindy

We love having him in our family, and we're so glad we adopted from Almost Home Foundation. Thank you!

Thank you to Almost Home Foundation for Travis!

The Hatz Family

Thanks so much for Cooper.  He is a wonderful little guy and we love him very much. 

Debra Walter

Oskar

Oskar is black/white and Hope is Grey and they are adorable.  We already have one cat at home and a dog and when we brought Oskar & Hope home, it was a bit crazy.  We slowly introduced the two little ones with our dog and cat and at first, Oskar did not get along with our dog, but got along with our cat and Hope did not get along with our cat, but got along with our dog.  It was very funny, but now, they get along great.  

Oskar is the trouble maker and gets into everything.  He doesn't like to be picked up much, but when he wants to cuddle, HE WILL CUDDLE!!!!  He also likes to join me while I'm working and read with me...he literally sits & looks at the screen on the pc!  Hope on the other hand is he most affectionate kitten I've ever had.   She is like a baby and loves to be held.  She's also like a little pup...when she smells food, she comes around trying to see what it is!   They're both very cute &  we love them.

Thank you to Almost Home's foster mom Sabrina for these wonderful little guys!!

Thanks,
Diana Solis & Adam Stanul

The Nelson family

Once we got Paddy home, he was just a bundle of joy and mellow all at the same time. He has put up with a curious cat from day one and he’s slowly winning the cat over. And, everyone who meets him falls in love with his loving demeanor and sweet heart.

In the late summer, Paddy loved going on lots of walks on the Prairie Path and down by the Fox River and playing with his squeaky ball in the yard with his new favorite buddy, his adopted dad, Steve. He loved riding in truck and loves being a great companion around town. He took naps on the couch a lot too when he was inside to rest, only to wake up to give lots of kisses and wag his tail wildly with excitement! 

In the fall, Paddy had so much fun playing in the leaves. He dashed from one leaf pile to the next like it was the greatest thing in the world to dive in and roll around! 

Now that its winter, Paddy thinks the snow is fun to dig down in and get his nose full of snow. He still looks at us with his cute little eyes (right after he just came inside) as if to say, I’m ready to go outside to play again. After a long day of relaxing with the cat and playing outside with his adopted parents, Paddy loves to curl up on the couch to watch T.V. or on his doggie bed for a nice, long night’s sleep. This Christmas, we’re blessed with our favorite gift of 2007 – Paddy. We find such joy in giving him his loving forever home and can’t wait for the many more memories with him to come. 

Steve & Shelly Hall

Ethel Rose's original "success" story was limited because of her shy tendencies - but she has blossomed over the last year in her new, loving home.  

Ethel Rose is such a shining example of how it's so true that there's a home for every single animal needing one, that we just have to find the right one.  It's obvious that both of them enjoy each other's company immensely.  Isn't is great?!

A big thank you to Gail for the patience and love she has given Ethel Rose!  

Kim Thomas  

Ethel Rose just wanted me to forward these pictures so you can see what she's been up to....   She's become so very helpful, whether I'm trying to eat pretzels, put up Christmas decorations, etc.... How far she has come in a year!  

Gail Randall

The first week Mandi was with us I noticed she never barked. She just kind of stayed on the couch. After the second week I began to clicker train her to come when called and after the third try she did it. Her tail wagged more and she seemed to be responding to our love and attention. By the third week she sat on command and was becoming very curious about her new home. She has became very attached to me and followed all over the house. She is very well behaved. One day after her third week with us I went out shopping and when I returned I heard this glorious bark coming from inside the house. She is not a barker per say, but on occasion does let us know she can do it. 

After four weeks with us she was shaking her paw and the tail wagged more and more. I still could not understand why someone would dump her, but I think St. Francis meant for her to be with us. I told Mandi that she was now in her Forever Home and that as long as I am around no one would ever hurt her. She just looked at me with those soulful eyes. 

Everyone that meets Mandi falls in love with her. She is great with children, loves to walk and now points at squirrels in the yard. Mandi is the love of my life. I know that when I come home she will be there with a wagging tail. We still miss Dragon and she was special in her own way, but Mandi has brought such joy to our lives and is a very special pup. I thank her foster mom Corky for all her love and support of Mandi before we adopted her. Corky and her husband also are very special because they give all of these rescue dogs a home until they are adopted. 

Thank you to Almost Home Foundation for their love and work with animals. 

Karen

Angel Baby

Fluffers

These two are AWESOME!!! Angel baby is just that. The door bell rings, he goes under a blanket, then he peaks his nose out to see who has come in the home. We brought home some little kittens to foster for Almost Home and he knocked all my paperwork off my desk, I picked it up and put it back on my desk, yep he knocks it off. Big baby. So every day we have "Angel Time" We go lay on his blanket and watch a movie. Yes, I have created a spolied baby. I love it. 

Fluffers is a sweet little girl. She follows me everywhere...until my husband comes home and she is all about Harry. Harry starts a fire every night so Fluffers can sit up in her cat tree and sleep in front of the fire. It could be 75 degrees out, there is a fire. lol 

They have their own fuzzy blankets, on our King bed. No way are they sleeping on the floor. They are right with us. The are such a wonderful addition to our family. 

I could go on and on about these two. We love them and they will always be with us..........their forever home. 

Thank you Claire, Paul and Deanne for our precious family members. 

Harry and Sabrina

The Seneczko Family

The Zeiller Family

Thank you Almost Home Foundation!

Stob Family

Thank you for such a great pet! 

 Roberta Mecklenburg

Halle loves Halloween and dressing up with her sister Colleen!

We've had Milly for only a few weeks now and she's absolutely 
wonderful.  She's the sweetest little girl in the world.  She's a
daddy's girl and she knows mommy spoils her rotten, but Grandma is even
 worse at spoiling.  Milly is a very smart little girl, she understands
 simple commands, and is very obedient.  She gets a little too excited
 during walks but we're working on it, and she's getting better with each
 walk.  Milly is very light with her paws, Grandma is frail because of
 medical condition, and Milly knew right away not to jump on Grandma. She
 keeps Grandma company during the day while, we're away at work and
 school, so she's brought Grandma lots of happiness.  Everyday we come home
 she's waiting for us at the door, as soon as we walk through the door
 there are tons of hugs and kisses to be given.  We can't tell you how
 much we love her, all she has to do is look at you with her adorable
 little eyes and she's got you.  Her tail never stops, she's always happy!!!!
  We love our little girl and we're so blessed we found her and she
 found us.

Thanks,
Tom and Karla White  

Lexi has a cat tree she sits in and waits for me to come home from work everyday, and is waiting by the door when I reach my unit. She just loves to sleep in bed with me at night, and will lay next to me with her head on the pillow.

 After losing my cat of 16 years, I did not think I was ready for a new cat, but was so lucky to find Lexi. I would not trade Lexi for the world.

Donna Eckert

Mindi

Tomasz,Ewa,Jakub Gorecki

TOMASZ ,EWA AND JAKUB GORECKI

 Thank you almost home for bringing Reno into our lives. We tell everyone the benefits of adoption and always tell them about Almost Home. We look forward to a long happy life with Reno. He's a wonderful dog. 

Regards, Annie Mistretta

I want to share my story with you. My name is Hooch and I’m two years old. I was a stray dog when I was found and brought into the shelter. I was very skinny, pretty active and somewhat jumpy so the shelter wasn’t quite sure what to do with me. The Almost Home Foundation came and took a look at me and saw past my energy and knew that one day I could be someone family’s pet. They saw that after I had met a person all I wanted to do was please them and love them. Even though there was no foster home available for me, they went ahead and told the shelter that they would find me a good home. 

Lucky for me, a human family with three older children, lots of love to give and patience fell in love with me and took me home. They really wanted me to know where my home was so they hired a trainer to train the children and I soon became their family pet. It took a little time for me to trust humans, but my family never gave up on me and after a few months I knew I could trust them. Now, I’m learning how to play nicely with other dogs, walk next to my family without a leash, and trying to remember not to jump when I’m really excited. My family loves to camp and I’ve become so well behaved in the camper that next time they go camping I get to go too.

For anyone thinking of adopting a rescued dog, please know that with a little time, consistent rules and lots of love any dog can become your family pet. Remember, dogs just want to please you and love you. I’m sure glad someone gave me that chance!!

Thanks so much for rescuing him and bringing him into our lives! --
Maureen and Chaz