They called me "Dog". You can call me "Lewis"

So here I was, a little 9 pound Yorkie, happily purchased by a family... who got home, and after a month of no name, they decided "what the hell, I dont know why I bought a dog, I dont want one". In my opinion its fine and all, if you dont want a pet! Pets arent for everyone, just like kids arent-  but why'd they have to go out, BUY me, and then add to the growing population of animals that are put down every year, because of JERKS like them! In fact, my foster mom told me that its estimated to be that four million cats and dogs—about one every eight seconds—are put down in U.S. shelters each year....She says Im one of the lucky ones... But man do I feel sad for all the others.

After my owner decided they didnt want me, or as they referred to me "dog", they passed me around to two more houses in their family before one of them said enough! Thankfully she contacted the rescue organization called Nuts For Mutts (www.nutsformuttsrescue.com) , they sent out an email asking the fosters if any of them could spare some space in their home for a little Yorkie Dog (at the time they thought I was mixed), and it was Kailey & Corey that came forward willing to foster. They had no picture of me, no description, just a law of attraction to Yorkies since her sister Lindsay has two of them. She couldnt let them say no, even if I was mixed, so on the saturday that I got dropped off, they ran to pick me up so that I would have a place to go, and hopefully a furrever home soon to be on the way!

You tell me. Do I look mixed?! Im a gorgeous purebred, and of course (like all the people who prefer a certain breed, and turn their heads to the reality of the situation) Kailey & Corey CONSTANTLY got asked "oh my gosh, someone gave up a purebred Yorkie?! Look at him! Hes beautiful, I cant believe it" ... HELLO PEOPLE!!!!!!! IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY! In every coutnry, state, city, and every breed is suffering from over population and irresponsible humans who are creating this problem.

Anyways, when Kailey & Corey picked me up, I had been playing with two other dogs, one even had a broken leg, and the people at the shelter said I was great so far (I thought I was on a playdate), Then they leashed me up, sat me in the back seat next to my new aunt Justine, and I got very very very quite. I was confused, nervous, and wondered who the heck was taking me home now, where were the people that I knew?!? I mean come on, Im only 5 months old, and I'd already been through 4 homes, ridiculous! They knew I needed a nameJustine said I looked like a Lewis.... I curiously looked back and forth to all three people in this new car, that I had never met before, and it ended up sticking with me. On the way home, I heard Kailey saying that I wasnt acting like a bad puppy (she assumed I was a tuff cookie since so many families had passed me around, not even bothering to name me), and I decided in that car, I was dead set on proving her right! I would turn out to be an AMAZING dog.


I arrived after 15 minutes, to what I now know as my foster home, and there were two other dogs there! I immediately jumped on them since as a puppy I had this initial desire to PLAY, what better than two other dogs? One of them... was reeeeeaaaallyyy big. Thats my foster sister Roxie and at first (and by that I mean the first 5 minutes) I was a bit afraid of her, but once I got going I never looked back. I ran like the wind around that house, and I would bite my foster sisters ankles to get her to play since she was so tall! It was the only way I could get her attention... my foster brother however, was small and man he didnt like it when I did that to him (it was the only bad habit I picked up)! Kailey would say "Lewis!" very stern, and by the end of the first day I would immediately stop what I was doing, and turn to face her (she said this alot when I would bite their legs :)...) . If I was out of the room when I was called, I would run back in real fast and lay down flat like a rug, because I wanted to show them that I deserved a great name like Lewis, and a great home - so I learned manors and the name quick!


I grew pretty fond of them quite fast (I think they liked me alot too) The first night however I was pooped out, and I really liked to be by my people, but not invading their space. So, I would lay against their legs, or feet, or on the pillow next to them... things like that. They tried to crate train me that night in a small dog crate..but I had a panick attack and made this noise like I was dying that my foster mom couldnt stand to hear so they put me up in the bed with them, and the other dogs. Even then however I did not want them to go out of their way for me, they already did enough, and I would jump off the bed to lay on a pillow in the corner so Kailey started to observe me and figured out quick Im a restless sleeper... After that, since I was good with pottying outside the first two days, she tested me out in Roxies old crate, built for a 100 pound dog!!! It was like a mansion to me, she even had 3 pillow in there all covered in soft blankets and it became my favorite place in the house- I sure liked my "go-to" spots. After that, if I snuck off when they were cooking dinner, Kailey & Corey always found me in mansion, tucked up between the same two pillows, happily putting myself to bed.

Im an independent little guy sure, but gosh do I like to love too! When Im done playing, or if you go down on your knees and talk baby talk, I will run as fast as I can to leap into your arms to give you kisses, and boy do I kiss hard! I may be small but a few times I knocked my foster mom over and she ended up laughing hysterically while I kissed her all over frantically trying to show her how much I loved her! My favorite game was, and still is,  CHASE LEWIS!!! I would steal the big dog's ball (she didnt love that by any means) and then I would run like lightening around the yard and pivot through her legs to trip her up, she would get really mad and bark at me but my foster parents loved it because Bengal would join in, and he was ALMOST as fast as me, he would try to bite my back to get me to stop- I chose to just happily sprint for hours! It was great for bedtime too, we would run inside... the big dog would forget how mad at me she was... and we would all pass out in our favorite spots on the couch or dog beds. It was amazing.

Kailey hoped and prayed I would go to a family with dogs, and by the grace of god, a friend of her sisters who she knew also, stepped up and had an interested in me! She too had a Yorkie that was a boy, and four kids to boot! Being a bit nervous since she loved me so much, she hesitantly took me to meet Terra & Co. (as she now refers to them haha). My foster dad is Mr. Postitive though, and the whole way there kept saying it was going to be a great fit - that we had to trust people, that there are a few good ones left! He really helped calm the nerves, so when I got there, I wanted to do the same thing. I met Quincy (my new brother) and ran like the wind with him, just like I did Roxie & Bengal!!! The kids played with me and I let them pick me up and carry me around (I stole a few kisses too). They let me and Quincy out into a fenced-in yard which was amazing, and again, we ran like the wind out there. I would steal his favorite toys and annoy him just like I did Roxie by biting his legs, and he would put me in my place and then I would switch direction and pounce on one of the family members and give them loads of kisses! Their little 2 year old daughter even gave me her string cheese, It was like Heaven! I couldnt believe a place like this exisited!!!!

The kids loved me immediately, theyre so awesome to play with, they wanted to keep me that night but everyone knew it was best that they prepare for me. Kailey & Corey knew it was the right fit after spending two hours in my new home. Finally, they took me back to their house to let me sleep my last night away with them. The next afternoon, December 23rd, 2011- equipped with a bright red bow around my neck, Kailey spent a while hugging me (I wanted to play but she kept squeezing me). She was also crying a little in preparation for my new family to come pick me up (since she knew she would keep me if she could). Once again, My foster dad kept saying how awesome my new house was and how much fun I was going to have. He also made a good point, that once again they would be able to save another dog after me through fostering, and he was right. I currently live in my Furever home, and Im already part of the family!


I've kept in touch with them too! I pose for pictures with my little human siblings while my foster mom sends them to Kailey to prove how happy I am. Two days in, and I was snuggling with my foster brother!!! Finally.. my 6th home was a charm, and now I have a routine - with a HUGE family full of love to share my excitement with!!! Quincy is finally keeping me in check, letting me know I'm the puppy and he is the big dog.  I plan to live a long happy life with there!

Once again, my foster parents could not be happier that they were able to help me..... (I'm pretty sure my foster siblings are happy to have some rest too). Kailey says I was her Christmas doggie, and that all she wanted was to help me. She didnt think it could be done, but I found a home that loves me for the puppy I am, just in time to spend the happiest time of the year with my amazing new family.

....Thank you SO much to Ronnie & Terra Leo,  for bringing Lewis into their pack, we cannot thank them enough for adopting this little angel just in time for Christmas. <3

Hi, Im Sophie! .. You can call me "Wiggle Worm" if you'd like!

So here I am, the day after my foster mom and dad brought me home.... kind of with a fresh hair cut? ... well .... the best my foster mom Kailey could do the first night since my hair was matted down to me, when they picked me up from Lollypop!

I was Kailey & Coreys first foster, and MAN was Kailey scared. She knew what she was getting into, but at the same time boy did I suprise her! Had a rescue not taken me, and had they not decided to take the leap into fostering, I would have been put to sleep just after 8 months of life in this world. I had made what Kailey calls "The List", and not in a good way! Since she agreed to foster me, and save my life, I had just got spade the day she picked me up - I looked like a hot mess. Thank GOD she saved me the embarassment and didnt post any of those pics....But my story goes as this....

My family surrendered me when I was only 8 months old... can you believe it? I was about 8-10 pounds, and I kissed Kailey the minute I met her, but I was terrified at Lollypop and she could tell. I didnt pass my temperment test there because I was terrified on the leash and yanked away to hide in the corner, but there were over 100 BIG DOGS there BARKING at me, and I was really confused because my family that I had known my whole life so far was no where!!!

Thankfully, although I made my first night ruff, my foster parents "got me". They read my surrender sheet that night, wondering what went wrong.. you know, this long sheet of paper giving lollypop information on me to see if they should try to place me in foster care and it read like this:

Agressive? NO .... Food agression? NO.... potty trained? YES, seldom accidents.... Good with Children, cats & other dogs? Yes, very good ..... Biting history? NOPE.....  Crate Trained? YES VERY GOOD IN CRATE...............and the list goes on, all good things too!!! This is why I was so confused, because I had a mom, a dad, and a child that I loved a ton, and played with every day.... so, why did my family that I loved so much give me up??? What did they put in the "reason for owner surrender section?" ..... Their reason was this: "TOO MUCH ENERGY, A LITTLE HYPER"...

Well HELLO you idiots ... Im a puppy! DUH!

Like, I said, my first night in foster care, I was scared still, confused, looking around shakily AND I had just had some serious surgery so they were trying to keep me still so that I didnt hurt myself. To top it off, Kailey was all alone with me that night because Corey was out of town! I felt bad because Kailey was a bit overwhelemed, and I cowered in the corner alot yanking on my leash... after all, I was the Jacksons FIRST FOSTER EVER and I was out of my home that I though loved me. That night, I went to bed and really suprised her by sleeping peacefully in the crate...maybe it was that I was mentally & emotionally exhuasted, and what Kailey didnt know, is that I was praying to make her happy..... So the next morning, I woke up a new dog.

Afte that first night, Kailey reassured me every day that my parents were lazy jerks, because all I needed was to run free with lots of of toys. Sure it helped that I had two dogs to play with at my foster home, but they live in the city! So we were limited with yard space, and Roxie scared me alot at first ...(shes huge, have you seen her?!) but boy did I take advantage of that once I got comfy. Also, I really tested my limits while my surgery heeled, Im suprisingly tuff and resilient! In fact, Heres me on day 3... I know, too soon to run, but they couldnt keep me still!

The point is, Im a great dog and it wasnt fair what the humans I called "family" did to me! All I wanted was to play hard, and love hard. As soon as I as done running around ... or maybe I should call it hopping at warp speed??? I would jump up on the couch like a spring board to lay on my foster families laps. I just loved them and kissed them every chance I got, and GOSH I loved my foster sister Roxie most. I followed her everywhere, and she taught me everythting I know now, even how to sit when I get treats, and how to potty ALOT when Im outside. Basically I really annoyed Roxie... I would stand on my back legs and kiss her face as much as I could until she growled at me and corrected me,.......then I would submit fully and lay on my back with my paws in the air (trying to flirt... she wasnt buying it) 

By day 4, they had me completely figured out, and even let me sleep in the bed! I loved it, I snuggled up to one side of Kaileys arm, while Bengal was on the other side (Dont we look a lot a-like too? Thats part of the reason they wanted to save me!)... Kailey immediately sent in photos of me, and I wrote a bio about myself for families to check me out and see if they would welcome me in their home, and that evening, Kailey got a phone call! In fact, it was fate- A Vet on the board of the rescue she fosters for (www.nutsformuttsrescue.com) had a sister who just lost a dog that kind of looked like me in a way, and had another dog (halleuljah), one that was really depressed with the loss of her 5 year old sister to cancer. Sunny (my new sister) was looking for someone to make her feel better, and it was time to see if I was just that girl.

I was like a tiny package from heaven for my potential family, and Kailey was THRILLED to hear another dog was in the picture (They help me run down my puppy energy so I sleep like a rock)... The next night was the night before Thanksgiving, and after 20 minutes of meeting a sweet lady named Sue, looking to compelete their family again ... She asked my foster mom a question that she hopefully will hear for the rest of her life ... "If its okay with you Kailey, I would love to take Sophie and become her family?"

... My foster mom was speechless for a moment and she looked at Corey with tears in her eyes and didnt really know what to say because in just 4 days I went from terrifying her, to absolutley stealing her heart away! She was scared, nervous, apprehensive, worried, happy, excited, and a mix of so many emotions. Of course, ultimately she knew the answer was yes (as long as me and the other dog, Sunny got along!) ... because in her mind, if she saved me, and found me a home, she could do it again!.. and hopefully again, and again, and again, and again....

I spent Thanksgiving day with my foster family, and it really was a miracle. I stayed with Kailey all day, and gave Corey love when she wasnt around, and annoyed Roxie while Bengal avoided me and snuggled in his pillows. When we went to bed that night Kailey prayed thankful she was, and about how lucky they,were to have me as their first foster, and I layed on her chest while she did. Afterward, we fell asleep together, a temporary family of 5.

The next morning, Kailey hugged me and cried alot, and Corey reassured her that they were doing the right thing for the right reason. I got all fed and ready to go to my new home & the best part is that when I got there, doubts did not exist in my foster parents mind! I met sunny, my sister now, and we ran around their HUGE yard in Pittsford, the whole time, until I said goodbye to my fosters. My new yard is WAY bigger anyways... I live in an outdoor mansion now practically!!! I know that I may never see Kailey & Corey again, but a week 1/2 after my fosters let me go, I wrote them a letter to reassure them, and let them know how I was doing, afterall, I knew they would worry, so this is what I had to say:

Dear Kailey and Corey -

Sorry I haven't written sooner, but I've been so busy since the last time I saw you.

First of all, since I didn't seem to recognize my name, so Mom said "New life, new name". We decided on Chloe and now I answer every time Mom or Dad call me. I like my new yard and a young man from Invisible Fence is coming on Tuesday to put flags in the yard and teach me the boundaries (Mom says he'll feed me pieces of hot dog to help me learn). Then I'll be able to run around and burn off some of my puppy energy.

Mom bought me lots of toys and I even have a few of them left (you know how much I love to chew on on my toys). However, my favorite chew toy is my big sister, Sun. There is something about her ears and tail that I can't resist. I steal her toys and food, but she's very patient with me and I follow her everywhere (I think she was very lonely too). We even cuddle sometimes in the same bed.

We had a big party last night and I met lots of aunts and uncles and cousins. Everybody hugged me and kissed me and told me I was very cute and sweet - I just love people and I had a really great time. I even showed them how I can sit on command (thanks, Corey!) and got some doggy treats for my performance - hey, this is easy.

Sometimes I just want to stay outside a little too long and then I start to shiver, so Mom bought me a little doggie sweater. We wrestled for about 10 minutes when Mom put it on me and then I rolled on my back and tried to bite it off. I would be embarrassed to have anyone see me in it, so we decided to let my hair grow out and Mom through the sweater away - what was she thinking?

I've got to go now (it's time for my after dinner nap) but I wanted to thank you so much for loving me and giving me hugs and kisses when I so desperately needed them. Mom and Dad can't understand how anyone could have given me away. They say I am just a puppy - a sweet little girl and a bundle of love. I just needed love, patience, and a routine.

Lots of kisses,

Chloe (AKA Sophie)

Im really happy in my new home, and Im so lucky to have had a second chance. I hope the family, that stepped into temporarily house me while I searched for my furever home, never forgets me... But I feel it in my gut... I dont think they will ;)

***Thank you Mike & Sue, for saving this amazing girl.

Roxie... My first rescue... The life changer.

Roxie came along, after I had "turned my head" to what I had learned over the years about dog abuse, puppy mills, dog fighting, etc. My (now husband) Corey, wanted to get a dog with me, something I did not think I would do again until marriage, but knowing in my gut Corey would eventually be my husband I agreed.... on ONE condition.............

.............. We rescue. Period.

Corey grew up with purebred, breeder born, German Shepherd Dogs (GSD's as referred to by the German Shepherd Dog community) and occasionally Lab was thrown in the mix of family dogs. Knowing that he loved me, he said he would look, but he wanted a dog from a breeder, that 's what they always had, thats what he knew. So, as a natural born "challenger" of firm opinions (thanks to my parents always playing devils advocate with my decisions) this "simple" point of view really.... well.... pissed me off!

Corey is a "righteous" person by nature, one of those people that loves the underdog, refuses to let anyone hurt his friends, and bleeds for his family, so in an attempt to tap into his passive, amazing personality I began digging up all the pain I had found when I first got Bengal... to show Corey, why we were going to rescue, and why he had no say... or no dog. It was NOT a difficult sell, he simply looked at me and said "okay! Then we will search for a rescue". Now in my mind, I needed a puppy, I was still in "little dog mode" as I call it and although loved all dogs, did not really understand big dogs!!! .... Plus I thought it was going to kill little Bengal :) 

After MONTHS of searching, in February of 2010, I found the "Y" litter of puppies, at Brightstar German Shepherd Rescue, in Rochester NY, my own hometown! (www.brightstargsd.org) ... 

The story goes as this: A young kid had two GSD's, and moved, leaving them in the 90 degree heat, middle of summer, to die in his garage of his old apartment. Its believed that his mother is the one who placed the 911 call that saved the dogs that day, who no one knew at the time, were to be Roxie's parents. Emaciated, starving, and sick, they contacted  some local rescue organizations, and these two gorgeous purebred GSD's ended up at Brightstar GSD Rescue. Realizing that the mother was pregnant upon taking her in, they nursed her to health, delivered 9 gorgeous puppies, and one of them, the runt (naturally I was attracted to the small dog haha)... was at the time named "Yasmine".

"Yasmine" was claimed when I inquired, in fact they all were, and I felt so let down because I knew Corey was getting anxious to get his first dog, that was all his own. Fate called two weeks later asking if I still wanted to meet her since the family that previously wanted her could not get papers to say she was purebred and in turn they felt she was "worthless".  THANK GOD FOR THEIR LOSS. "Yasmine" was just a baby, 8 weeks old, and had been bottle fed because the mother was food driven after being starved, and developed an infection in her tummy so she could not feed her babies. They were completely independent, and ready to go to a good home so they could open up some room for older GSD's that needed saving also. 

Love at first sight, "Yasmine" became "Roxie".

Roxie is a 90 lb girl that loves all 3 of us so much, that she guards Bengal from strangers that want to pet him, and circles me when I walk her alone and people try to talk to me. She follows Corey every where he goes. He is her person, and to him she listens obeys and aims to please always. I taught her how to kiss on the lips of course and like all living creatures she has her quirks, but she has been such a blessing, and a game changer in my life. Because of her we volunteer for two organizations, with a dream goal to buy our next house (a huge one with a large tiled great room) and as much land as financially possible so that I can foster more than one small dog at a time, build a barn, and focus on GSD's that are in need as well.... and all dogs of course, because I really am just a sucker for furry babies. 

I have learned so much about "strong breeds" as I refer to them, or as some more ignorant people  like to refer to them as "killer" or "attack dogs", even "fight dogs" - and what I have learned is that they are the most loving, trainable, aim to please animals alive. I have a place in my heart for GSD's that I never knew existed and I will ALWAYS own one, that was rescued of course, but don't let that fool you, because I love Mutts and mixes just as much - which is why I foster.  Roxie has created a really special place in my heart for her breed, and shes been the sister to Bengal (who don't forget is 81 pounds lighter than her) that I couldn't imagine... Did I mention that my sister Lindsay has two Yorkies, 5 & 8 lbs, and Roxie is nothing more than a gentle giant with them?

Without Bengal, followed by Corey, and then Roxie, I would feel as alive and needed, as I do today.

Bengal... the "puppy in the window"... the beginning.

Bengal... where do I even begin? Bengal is my 9lb Pomeranian/Westie mix... or so they say.

I grew up a girl, who lived in the woods, with a lot of land, where kittens often got lost and trapped in a bush somewhere up my steep driveway, so naturally I ended up coercing my parents into keeping and having cats my whole life. I came across every animal you can imagine living in our woods, and we even have a pack of deer that I swear I have watched grow old with me.  This is perhaps how my love of all things furry began.

When I was about four years old, I did in fact own a dog. Her name was Zeus, and she was a pure bread Doberman that my mother showed up with after a fight with my dad one day (go figure)... I hear I am a lot like her :). A beast of a girl from the photos- 90 lbs of muscle, and from the stories my father tells- an absolute Gem of a living creature. Zeus passed away at 8 years old from cancer, and my parents never got a dog again due to the the pain from the loss, so I was unaware of what it meant to really own a dog, and be a dog owner... I just had stories of this creature that terrified the priest who came to bless the house when they first moved in, but licked him when my dad commanded him down, while on two legs pinning him to a wall... a dog whom could find a marked ball in the thick of the woods so my dad could show off to his friends how insanely smart she was... but also a dog that fiercely protected my mother, then my sister and I when we were just babies from those that approached us,(again, until called down by my parents). But this inst where it began, this inst how I started referring to myself as the crazy dog lady.

It began with Bengal. Sad to admit this now that I've taken the path of rescuing dogs, and actively promoting how amazing this dogs are, and how its not their fault,... but I went to the pet store to buy cat food for my most recent lost kittten, brought home to the family, and there he was. I was 22 years old, had just graduated from Ohio University (go bobcats!), and moved back home to find a job, live with my rents, and hang out with my friends! I dont know what it was about him, but the other puppies in that tiny window were crawling all over to what I then referred to as "garbage pal puppy", and I said- give me this dog so I can give it some air! Well... I left that store an hour and a half later in tears, calling my parents, sister and boyfriend, telling them that I must have this dog, but can I afford a $1000.00 dog right out of college from a pet store?

Needless to say, after a lot of drama, and a return with my sister, I bought that "garbage pal puppy" who is now my Bengal Bear (my first credit card purchase ever), & he became an immediate hit with my family. Thankfully I had my first career started, and was living home rent free- with AMAZING parents who still do not realize how supportive and helpful they are, because Bengal became the absolute love of my life and still is to this day... in fact my husband constantly reminds me that I love Bengal more than him (which is in fact not true, but equal love of both is a fact!)

After I got Bengal, my detailed personality needed to know EVERYTHING there was about being a dog owner..... unfortunately what I didnt know, is the cruel, horrible decisions humans make about how they treat a life that depends on them. I discovered puppy mills, dog fighting, abuse, abandonment, euthanasia, the ASPCA, PETA, The dog meat trade, and so much more... so much horrible, unimaginable things, that made me so happy I was the human Bengal chose, but so sad at the thought that I in fact probably had a puppy mill dog.... So for a while, I shut my computer, stopped researching took care of my dog best I could, and tried to forget..... Then came along my amazing (now) husband.... and Roxie, our amazing first rescue.