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 Hi, my name is Gretchen, but you can call me Gretchie or Gretch. I was adopted by Dave and Carol Santora of Kennebunk in March of 2007. This is my story, as best as I can remember it…
I lived at the West Kennebunk Animal Welfare Society (AWS) for a long time, perhaps a year. I was adopted once but was brought back. I had heartworm disease, Lyme disease and another tick-borne illness. I was weak and I hurt and I was on some heavy duty medication. The AWS took great care of me, but no one wanted to adopt me. I went to lots of adoption events, and I was a good girl, wagging my tail, but no new family. I have a dog-friendly personality so I got to room with the new dogs that were scared when they came to the AWS. My roommates always got adopted before me. People said I was too old – I was only 7, or I was too big – I only weighed 62 pounds – I weigh more than that now!!! Or I was a hound – you’ve got me there, I am a hound, a hound mix, through and through, but the Santora’s didn’t seem to mind! 
The Santora’s were used to having 2 and 3 dogs at once. The year before they adopted me they lost their ‘Sandi-Girl,’ and Hobo, their 11-year-old golden retriever, was lonely for that year. Two years before that they lost ‘Sheba’, who was great friends with Hobo. So the Santora’s brought Hobo to the AWS to meet me. I happened to be sleeping on a couch all by my lonesome. The staff at the AWS spoiled me because I was so sick, and I was there so long and of course because I was very cute!
 I met Hobo and we hit it off, so I went home with them. It’s been almost 2 ½ years now and a lot has happened. I went to beginner obedience with Kim Van Sickle (did I spell that right?) and sort of lazed around when I got tired of following directions. Being as cute as I am, I can get away with murder! I graduated from obedience and my mom, Carol, helped re-train me so I didn’t have accidents in the house – that didn’t take long at all! When Hobo and I would go outside for our walks, the neighbor’s dog, Blue, would come over. She had a crush on Hobo, I think. She always came over to see him even before I was adopted.
 Well, Blue’s owner was sick and he was moving to a smaller place. Long story short, Blue now lives with us too! So I have 2 dog pals. They call me the queen… Blue’s the downstairs dog because she won’t climb the stairs, and Hobo’s the top dog, but he’s a push-over for a female and a cookie! You know, I never went up or down stairs before I was adopted by the Santora’s. They put cookies on the stairs and I gladly climbed them to eat every last one. But I was smart about it. I’d go up 2 or 3 steps and come back down so my mom would put out more! Now you know why I gained a few pounds!
I do a lot around the house. I sleep on the big bed upstairs or on my blanket downstairs. I eat and go for walks and rides in the car.  I love to ride in the car! I like to lie down at the top of the stairs on the front porch and survey my kingdom. Blue always comes out with me, too, but Hobo doesn’t always feel well so sometimes he likes to stay in. I go back to visit the AWS once in a while to bring food and cookies for my pals there, and to let the new doggies know that there’s hope and they’ll get a good home like I did. I don’t mind telling you I’m spoiled! So that’s my story… I’m one lucky dog and I know it, and I let my mom and dad know it, too. I give them kisses and nuzzle them when we’re in bed at night – I sleep in the middle!
Hello All,
I just recently adopted Dory from your shelter. I know it's a little early but, I wanted to let you all know how amazing she is! 
She's sooo friendly jumping onto every one's lap for pats and goofing off with toys. She is PERFECT!
I also wanted to thank all the staff for being so flexible and helping me get Dory home very quickly; I really appreciate it!
 Hello!
We adopted Tamika in August of 2008 - she is a wonderful cat and a great addition to our family. She is gentle and sweet and loves to sit on the bathroom counter. We kept her shelter name, and she is nicknamed "Mika".
 I would have updated sooner, but our youngest - Riley - was hospitalized from early Sepember to the end of November!!! Tamika took two trips to Boston to visit Riley while she was hospitalized.
In March, we adopted Mongoose - a giant, white, fluffball of love. "Goosie" is what he is known as now is always up for a cuddle, and will begin purring the moment we pet him. What wonderful pets we are blessed to have! Lots of love, Kristen, Marc, Cole and Riley
Hi! We adopted Cody about three weeks ago and he has been such a blessing and a wonderfull addition to our family.
 As soon as we saw Cody we fell in love with his sweet face and goofy personality and that has only grown.
Our two children have grown very attached to Cody and he is extremely patient with them.
A favorite place of ours to frequent is the beach where we run  and he gets to enjoy the tidal pools!
Any chance Cody can get at playing in the water he will take advantage of it. After searching for the right dog for us for a while we found it in Cody.
Thank you so much for all you guys do!
Sharlott
The story of the Fabulous Five Persians that I adopted in 2006, and how far they have come socially, since the day I adopted them. I adopted in April of 2006 Caleb and Cameron. I then went back in October to drop off a van full of donations, and visited the animals only to discover that the other 3 Persians were still there. I talked to a staff at AWS, and was told that no one even showed any interest in these cats, and didn't know if it was because the cats had long hair, or because they were so timid and hard to approach. That is when I told her, that if AWS would let me adopt the three of them, that I would take them also. I was having a lot of success with the other two that I had adopted in April, and felt that I would be just as successful in handling these three too.
 This picture shows them all together in a basket intertwined with each other, sound asleep on the bay window. These five Persians have come such a long way from when I first got them, because they didn't even know how to play. If I put a string or toy in front of them, they literally would jump straight up in the air in total fear, and then they would run off to hide. I cannot even fathom what kind of abuse, or neglect, they endured in their previous home.
Here are their stories and pictures now in their new and forever home:
Ginger is a real Miss America Queen, she spends at least a good hour each day in front of the mirror admiring herself. It is a good thing that I don't have to wait for her to finish looking at herself in order to be able to use the bathroom, because I would never make it to work on time. She really likes looking at herself; whenever she is sporting her new lion cut, after coming back from the groomer every three months from being groomed.
Her second pass time favorite is sitting on the trash can watching the birds as they play with their toy bells. Then after an exhausting day of activities her favorite places to sleep are either on the VCR, or the cat perch. She is such a sweet little girl!
Veronica is my funny face girl, as you can tell from the pictures, she doesn't really like having her picture taken. Her favorite pass time is sitting on my computer desk watching me work.  When I was interested in adopting Ginger, the staff at AWS stated that Veronica was so bonded with Ginger that they had to go together. I decided to adopt both of them, and I'm glad I did. Today, very rarely will you see them together, because they are so busy hanging out with all of the other kitties, and exploring their environment, that they just occasionally will be seen together. They have become two very independent little girls who are really enjoying their forever home.
Cameron is my very precious little boy. He is a real lap cat, that just loves to be hugged and to snuggle. He has the most beautiful ice blue eyes that I've ever seen, they absolutely melt your heart. He is very easy to handle, and loves to be held, massaged, and talked too.
Caleb is my picturesque boy, he is so easy to take pictures of because he always seems to be posing with those big beautiful blue eyes of his. He is king of the Persians cats, and just loves to sit on my lap so he can get a massage. He adjusted immediately to his new home, and just went around strutting his stuff.
Zachary (formerly Gilbert) was the Persian that took a long time for him to come around, and to trust me to even touch him. I ended up working with him over 8 months before he finally started trusting, and letting me shower him with a lot of TLC. I couldn't imagine what this cat endure from his previous owner, to fear the presents of a human being in the same room as him.
 Now he just follows me around where ever I go, especially, hanging out on my computer desk top to watch me working on the computer. He'll sneak his head around my laptop, to get me to rub his head, and then give him a massage, which he absolutely loves. I was so determined to work with him no matter how long it took. I let him come around in his own time, and he eventually did, and now is doing really well. It's amazing what a lot of patience, commitment, and love will do for an animal that comes to you with prior baggage.
It is so amazing to see the Persians come running when I say where are all my pretty kitties, so they can be petted and massage. It is a real joy to have adopted all five of them, and to see where they were when I first got them; to where they are today as five very happy kitties.
From the Fabulous Five Persians and their Owner:
Caleb, Cameron, Veronica, Ginger, Zachary,
and Muriel Q.
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