Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter - National Shelter Appreciation Week

Shelter Appreciation Week - THANK YOU!!!

We want to tell you all what a wonderful job you do every day. Originally we came to the shelter right after the story broke about the Chihuahuas and brought large bags of kibble and a cash donation because the story touched our hearts. It seemed like such a small gesture, but we had to do something. We are animal lovers and particularly Chihuahua lovers for many years. At the time we asked how to go about adopting. We were given instructions, which we followed, but we never expected to get a call because we were told there were several hundred people who had applied in front of us. However to our delight, we did get a call from you.

We adopted a beautiful little long haired, sable colored female Chihuahua from you September 12 and she is our love!! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It was a Saturday and still, the staff there made it happen. When we walked into the room I knew she was “THE ONE” however; we were told she was waiting to go to another home. Then one of your staff, a wonderful young lady, decided to do some investigating because there seemed to be a mix up or something, I’m not sure what. When she came back and said we could adopt her I was so happy! Of course, I would have loved to take any of them (ALL OF THEM ACTUALLY!!) but it just seemed like a connection when I saw her.

Then we were told we would have to wait until Monday to take her home, but we wanted to take her home right away, so again, this wonderful young lady took the initiative to contact the manager at home and made it happen, since we had brought our other babies to the shelter with us so they could interact and make sure all was good. I wish I had the name of the young lady that made this all happen, but there was so much going on and I was so excited at the time I never thought of getting her name until after we had left. For that I sincerely apologize. You will probably recognize this story and know who you are. Saying thank you just doesn’t seem like enough. I just want you all to know how wonderful you are for what you did for these babies and more specifically, for my husband and I. Here is our story:

Just before our adoption of her (we named her Franchesca) we lost one of our precious angels ( a Chihuahua) to kidney failure at 13 years old and within a week, his little brother died of a heart attack at age 12. The doctor seems to think the stress of loosing his brother was just too much for him.

It was so devastating. I still cry at the mention of them because they were our babies since their birth. The adoption of Franchesca can never take their place, but has given us a new love to focus our attentions on, and we certainly do. Our other boy, Calvin, ( a Chihuahua/daschund mix we adopted several years ago in Arizona ) just adores her as well.

Back Row(s), left to right		Front Row(s), left to right
Gabbe Senatore - V, Board Member		Stevie Cote - V, President and Board Chair
Dave - S,		Brandi - S
Will - S		Nick Beaven - S
Stephanie - S		Cheryl - S, Evaluator
Andre - S		Courtney - S, Evaluator
Linda Thomas - S, Evaluator and Pet Trainer		Barb - AARP
Ken - S, Kennel Supervisor		Elaine Greene - S, Executive Director
Sue Ringey - V, Board Secretary		Sharon Gawthrope - S, Project Manager
Laurie Burh - V, Board, Director of Human Resources		Diane Kroll - V
Jo Navarre - V, Board
Danielle Leonard - S, Office Manager		Staff members not pictured: April - Office Assistant Emily - Office Assistant Elizabeth - Shelter Associate Sue - Shelter Associate
Suzanne Johnson - S, Bookkeeper
Heather Mehi - S, Shelter Manager
Sophie Bozek - V, Board, Finance Director