Happy Tails
Once cats and dogs leave the shelter with their new families, our staff and volunteers are always overjoyed to hear how the pets are doing. And we're here to help if you need support after you adopt. Whether it is a personal visit, a letter with a photo or an e-mail, hearing about how happy people are with their new pets brightens our day!

"I just want to say thank you. Thank you so much for matching us with a pet that has made our lives so much more fulfilled. Six months ago, we came into your shelter looking for a good dog to become a part of our family. Lucy, a five-year-old Beagle, immediately touched our hearts with her tail-wagging and lonely demeanor. She seemed so lost when we found her, but within a few months, Lucy had become alive again. She chases bunnies, rolls over for treats, and cuddles after long days. She almost falls over from tail-wagging happiness when both my husband and I come home. We love this dog with all of our hearts and can't imagine our lives without her. Thank you so much for the amazing gift you blessed us with."

- Mindy, Carol Stream

"Last August 13, 2007 I adopted Syndey, Australian Shepherd, she has just turned 6 years old.  Today August 3rd, she is 7 years old and the most wonderful dog I could ask for.  The day I went on the internet to view dogs was my luckiest day.  Some people may have thought she was too old, but not for me.  She watches out for her older brother Aussie who will be 13 1/2 on August 16th and had a stroke in April.  Thank you again for letting me adopt Cindy."

-Caroline Johnston, Brookfield

"We adopted our dog Sheba in late December, 2000. She is a beautiful chow-shepherd mix. She had been found by a couple at Starved Rock Park. She did not get along with their other dogs, so she was relucatantly left at the Humane Society. We came to the shelter to find a dog for our son, then age 8. He's essentially an only child, with one brother 10 years older. On our first visit, we found a bassett hound named Wilma. Her owners had attempted to have her voice silenced because they did not want the "noise." Fortunately, the procedure failed. When we came back for our second visit, Wilma had been adopted. My son was heartbroken. On this second visit we found Sheba. When she was brought into the room to meet us, she rolled over to have her tummy scratched. It was love at first sight. We were told she might be aloof, she is part chow after all. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. We can't imagine the past eight years without our beautiful friend. We ended up with the right dog!"

- From a loving family in Lisle

"Thought I would give you a quick update on Gracie, a yellow Labrador. She is the perfect dog for us - likes to lay around and not do too much. If you rub her belly once in awhile, she's happy. We have had no problems with her making a mess in the house, or not obeying commands, or begging at the table - nothing! She does sleep on whatever bed she can find unoccupied. Thank you so much for allowing us to adopt this wonderful creature. She has enriched our lives tremendously. The house no longer feels empty, and my husband has a great companion when I am traveling. He goes nowhere without her. Gracie is a gem, and we love having her as part of our family."

- Connie Fuller, Batavia

"I adopted Giggles, a 1 year old Labrador/Pit Bull mix, from the Naperville Humane Society in April of 2004. I saw Giggles and just fell in love with her. She has been renamed Holly and she is the perfect addition to the family. She has such a sweet temperament, she is great with children and other animals, and she is always there to cuddle or play. I don't think I could have ever found a better dog!"

- Cassandra Blume, Yorkville

"With all the warmth of Christmas time creeping in I wanted to take a quick second and send my thanks to you for uniting my fiance and I with Butch, a year and a half old Australian Cattle Dog mix we adopted from your organization. Butch has been an absolutely awesome dog. He is probably hands down the goofiest dog we've ever met, being agile is not his strongest suit, but he is our lovable clown. Thanks for all that you do and the joy that you bring! Keep fighting the good fight!"

- Emily Ward, Warrenville

"Last August I adopted a dog by the name of Sydney from your facility. Her new name is Daisy and she is a great joy to our family, including her sister, 11 1/2 year old sheltie named Dusty. Dusty was heartbroken when her other sister, Princess, passed last year in June. She lost all desire to eat and function as a normal sheltie would. Your facility was so kind in helping me during a difficult time. I appreciate the time they allowed my dog to spend with Daisy. I feel my dog helped me with the decision by licking Daisy. When they came home together, yes there was some adjustment like always, but now they look for one another and have become friends. Daisy is full of sunshine and grace and our lives would not be the same without her."

- Steve and Michelle Autry, Bolingbrook

"We adopted April (Yellow Lab/Pit Bull mix) from the Naperville Humane Society on January 31, 2004. She and her littermate had been found abandoned at 7-weeks old on the streets of Chicago. Both dogs were transferred to NHS. We had been looking to adopt for several months and dropped by NHS almost every weekend. My husband first saw April while she was asleep. As he was leaving,she walked up to the edge of her crate and he knew she was "the one." He played with her a while and her personality confirmed his gut feeling. He immediately placed her on hold and called me. I left work early to meet her and felt the same way. We renamed her Kubrick. She is now 2.5 years old and the best dog we've every had! She has an amazing way with people and enjoys going to the dog park. Ironically, I found out that I'm allergic to dogs, but I can't imagine life without Kubs. She's here to stay! Thanks to everyone at NHS!

- Mary & John Henderson, Aurora

"I adopted Dagger two years ago. Well, she adopted me by the way she jumped out of her cage and would not let me put her down. Since then, she has been the greatest cat anyone could hope for. Everyone comments on how friendly and fun she is, not to mention how absolutely gorgeous she is. My friends refer to her as my feline life mate because they know we are a family. She wakes me up with kisses and meets me at the door after work with nuzzles. Yet shomehow during the day things get moved and knocked over. I thought about naming her trouble, and I wouldn't have her any other way. She is perfect, curious, fun, trouble causing and always looks good. Everyone say Dagger and I are perfect match, and I agre. Thank you for bringing up together."

-Kim Illg, Naperville

"Hello everyone at NAHS just wanted to write a little note on our Betty, a cute lovable Lab mix girl with a heart of gold. Betty really has added a lot to our family. Betty has just completed her first set of obedience classes and she is a great student. Her last owners gave her up because they could not walk her on a leash, but with the support and love of my husband and myself, Betty walks on her leash 4 times a day if not more. Although she really wants to get at those bunnies she is learning not to tug anymore. My husband and I lover her more than words can express. Thank you so much for letting us adopter her. She has made our house a home and completed our little family!"

- Deborah & James Sievers, Aurora

" I just wanted to take a moment and let you all know what a wonderful girl Kelsey has been for us. When we got her back in November, Kelsey (formerly Duchess) was a shy and scared little girl. Afraid of everyone and anything, she spent most of her time hiding in confined places. As time passed, we worked with her, and a trust soon formed. From walks in the morning, and runs in the evening, Kelsey was quickly able to be out and about with people and pets. A card carrying member of the North Central Track Club, Kelsey has truly found her nitch. This past week, she was made an honorary member of the faculty here at Aurora University due to her help with homesick students. Kelsey has truly been a blessing for my wife and I, and we can not thank you all enough for this wonderful girl. Having had several dogs in my life, Kelsey has to be the smartest I have ever seen. From her ring of the bell to go out, to the sheer ability she has in the obstacle & challenge courses, Kelsey loves finding challenges to over come…and so far, there have not been any that she is unable to beat!"

- Aaron & Amy Newman, Naperville

"In June of 2004, I adopted Tia. She is the most wonderful, loving and loyal dog I have ever met. She is also extremely well behaved. I am so grateful that the amazing people at Naperville (Area) Humane Society introduced our family to her. Everyone in my family loves her very much, and she is very spoiled and taken care of at our house. I also want to thank the staff at the humane society for helping us when we needed to help Tia with her shyness problem. We received well thought out, wonderful advice. Thank you so much!"

- Laura Bezdek, Naperville

"Lexie had absolutely no problem adjusting to my 4 yr old male cat, KC. KC is a bit shy, so he took a few days to figure out that Lexie was harmless. She is the friendliest cat I have ever run across...always in play mode and happy to chase down and swat whatever you toss onto the floor. I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to adopt her and provide her a loving home!"

- Todd Vorhauer, Naperville

"Beatrice and Wilhelmina have been wonderful, loving companions—they have brought much joy into my life.  Eleven years later, I still can’t wait to get home and see them every day.  We moved to Georgia in 1998 and they were real troupers about the change.  They both like to lie in the sun, watch the many birds that frequent our yard, and especially enjoy their screened in porch.  Over the years I have added two more rescues to my little cat family, but Beatrice rules the roost and meows out orders left and right!!  Wilhelmina is my lap kitty and is never far from me. I can’t thank you enough for my wonderful companions and for all your work on behalf of the animals."

- Mary Davis, Suwanee, GA

"Rocky has been kindest, coolest guy! We adopted him about a year ago and he's been a great friend to Cherry, our 10 year old adopted Pointer mix, as well as our 5 year twin boys, 10 year old daughter and 16 year old son. He's a big lunk of a Rottweiler and people who don't know him get nervous, but the neighbors know him and love him and he's such a great dude. He's gentle with little children, wrestles with our older dog, swims in the pool in the summer and eats snowballs in the winter! Thanks so much for putting us together!"

- Stacy McDonald-Shumake and Family, Downers Grove

"We now have 3 wonderful animals from your shelter.  We first adopted 2 kittens, Boomer and Asha.  Both adjusted really well and get along great together.  It’s rare to see one without the other in our house.  A year later we adopted a shepherd mix puppy and named him Bailey.  Bailey is now 8 months old, huge and happy.  He gets to go to the doggy park every night and play with all his friends.  He is incredibly smart and a real joy to have around.   The cats are still trying to get used to the big goofy puppy, but since Bailey stays downstairs, they have the whole upstairs to themselves to hide and play. Although he will sneak upstairs and play with them if we’re not paying attention or if we go upstairs.  He loves to be where ever we are."

-Lisa & John Herbaly, Plainfield

"Molly is the most wonderful cat; I don't know how she could have been there for so long! She is a perfect fit and is loved very much. You think she was a part of the family forever the way she just sprawls out on her favorite chair. She is perfect and we couldn't have picked a better cat!!!"

- Andrew & Karen Fill, Aurora

These are just a few of the happy endings that our adopters have shared with us. If you have a happy tail you’d like to share, feel free to e-mail or mail your photos and personal note to the shelter, 1620 W. Diehl Road , Naperville , IL 60563