I thought you'd like to know what became of Yowie, the distinguished gentleman who let us take him home one weekend a few months ago. Since he's a big boy, I thought I'd let him tell you himself.

I've spent the entire day sleeping next to one of my servants on the bed, cuddled up to her, how gorgeous.  Life is great now that I'm allowed outside!  I got very frustrated with being cooped up in here over the 5 weeks, although I was given lots of playtime it just never seemed to be enough for me to blow off steam.  Unfortunately, I started a very antisocial habit of biting people, once I even leapt through the air and attached myself to a visitor's arm!  I never really wanted to hurt anyone though, since my claws and teeth never even left marks, I was just SO BORED! 

Well, my servants made sure I had my own space, including a special covered bed to sleep on right next to theirs, and once I was all vaccinated and registered I was finally allowed outside.  Let me tell you, looking through a window is a bit different to actually being outside, and I took some coaxing.  Lucky my servants had plenty of dog chocolates, which are my favourite treat, on hand to convince me that outside is a nice place to be.  They just put in a special door just for me (which I learnt to use in an evening because I'm quite smart really) and I'm in and out all day now.  My behaviour has become much more even and relaxed and now I'm the smoochy cat that they always knew I could be. 

I suppose that's not the normal success story, but I'd say it's pretty common to have some teething (ahem) problems with any new addition to the family.  We read up a lot on cat behaviour and I feel like I really understand what he does much better because of it.  He does have good manners most of the time now, even waiting to be invited onto the bed or couch if we're sitting on them.  Yowie always answers if you say hello, and we're all still learning to understand each other.  Although it wasn't without trials, I never regretted adopting him for a second, Yowie is a lovely presence in our home and it's hard to remember what it was like without him.

Thanks to everyone at the shelter for looking after him so well before he could come home to us.  It's a great thing to give second chances

Hi All at AAPS - It's been six months since we met Floyd and took him home and since then I have been meaning to write to give you all an update but the computer was broken and then I couldn't retrieve my snaps, and what's a letter without a cute sleepy photo of our favourite furry friend who does strange things every single day?!  Floyd, Mr Floyd, Fletcher and Furry Friend as he is known, has settled in very well.  We just love him more and more every day and find it hard to understand why he was returned to the shelter twice before we found him.......guess for him it was third time lucky.  But we believe we are the lucky ones also, now we have a little ratbag to love and laugh at.  There are so many examples of this, when he climbs in the dishwasher when trying to pack it after a dinner party, hides between our clothes in the wardrobe, drinks the water from the bottom of the shower, hides out in the backseat of the old car like he's sleeping at the drive-in or when he tries to eat his tail. 

Like everyone settling into a new home he had to learn his boundaries and he thought they included number 2s in the shower, bath & laundry basin and even number 1s on my jeans but we soon figured out that bathroom doors must stay closed and all jeans must remain OFF the floor!  His favourite toy would be 'mousy' who could scare anyone as he looks very real!  Mr Floyd likes to sleep where we are and take up the most doona space and all other times wander around the house and see what we are up to....he is never far away from the goss!!  He has been back to the shelter clinic to have his manicure and a check up and everyone comments on how beautiful and shiny his fur is, must be all the love and cuddles.  

I am still feeding Mr Floyd roast chicken as a treat, just like the ladies did when he was in the shelter, they were so good to him.  Thanks to everyone at the shelter for all their help last Dec when we spent more than an hour deciding on which puddy we would take.  I think I picked the loopiest one but something about him got to me and he suits us just fine. 

Thanks to all the staff at AAPS, you do a wonderful job and your love for the animals is truly special.  I hope all the furry friends find a warm, loving and most importantly, safe home. Corrine, Marcos & Furry

Dear staff at the Keysborough Shelter

We adopted a Terrier cross from you in May 2006. We named him Alfie.
He is settling in really well with his new family. He was a lost dog roaming the streets, but now he is very spoilt and spends a lot of time inside, because he doesn't like the cold. He loves going for long walks, watching soccer matches, playing at the beach, meeting other dogs and most of all having his tummy tickled. He is not supposed to sleep on the couch, but manages to do so when we are not paying attention.

He loves to play with socks and shoes but absolutely hates the vacuum cleaner (he growls and tries to attack it). I think Alfie would like another dog friend to live with, but he will have to wait a while.

Perhaps you will see us back at the shelter next year looking for a friend for Alfie. Keep up the good work. From the Wood family.

Hello AAPS,

Jack here. Dave and Lucie have convinced me to get up and out of my basket to write a few lines on my new life in St Kilda East. I'm being treated well and I'm enjoying walks around the block and the occasional frolic in Alma Park. I must add that I enjoy only the occasional frolic in the park because I like to have the park all to myself - I'm scared stiff of other dogs. Even puppies frighten me. Dave and Lucie have tried to convince me that these animals mean me no harm.

However, I can't remember meeting any dogs at all during the seven odd years before I found myself at the shelter. Still, my panic attacks are becoming fewer.

The defining moment in my new life was when Dave rescued me from two greyhounds who mistook me for a frightened rabbit during a walk at Brighton Dog Beach. I feel that that was the moment when we truly bonded.

In Dave's words, I am a "cantankerous old bugger" and the two of us have had a few stand offs since I moved in. I recently took umbrage at unwanted attention when I was catching forty winks on the couch. To be honest, I lost my temper and have been grounded ever since. I still sneak onto the couch every now and then though - try to stop me!

I spent most of my days reclining by the heater and I often find myself being chauffered to all sorts of intersting places. I am rarely left at home thanks to my ability to tremble and look grief-stricken on cue.

Yours sincerely, Jack.

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