Max & Leo now Bing & Banks In 2018, while going through a challenging time in my life, I adopted Bing and Banks. “The Boys” have helped me through many ups and downs since they were just kittens, and most recently, they comforted me during my cancer diagnosis and treatment. Every night we cuddled. When I didn’t feel well, they sat right by me, always with a paw gently set on me. In my worst days, their little meows and purrs made me smile. I can’t imagine my life without them!  
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We had lost our 16 year old whippet in October 2020, and my husband and I wanted to wait for at least a year before we get a new dog. Days went to months of grieving, and our house was never the same. A week before my birthday on February 25, 2021 my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I just said I wanted to adopt a dog. I knew we’d agreed to wait, we’re not replacing Alex, there’s a lot of dogs at the shelter waiting for their forever home. On Feb. 26 we went to
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  We adopted our beloved Alba in 2015. She was rescued from a hoarding situation and was an anxious but endlessly sweet dog from day one. We were told that she was 2 years old, and her youth factored into our decision to adopt. We wanted a young dog who would be with us for many, many years. Alba settled into the family perfectly. She loved walks and had the adorable habit of climbing onto the kids’ piled up blankets or stuffed animals when she wanted to nap. When Alba was about six, she developed some minor health problems and
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Calista & Mary now Layah & Winnie I adopted Winnie (tuxedo cat, formerly Mary) in early December. After I saw her playing with her reflection every day, I knew she needed a buddy and a friend. Back to Tiny Lions Café I went in January, seeking that friend. I adopted Layah (black cat, formerly Calista) who is one month older than Winnie. It took a few weeks, but now they are very comfortable together as you can see in the photo. They keep each other busy with daily play-wrestling matches and window watching. And house exploring. And lounging. Who knew
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“George’s Girlfriend” now Luna It was the winter of 2017 and I was a college student in need of emotional support. I saw Luna (“George’s Girlfriend” at the time) on HSHV’s site. She had only been in the shelter for a few days, but she was 6 years old and shy, so I knew she wouldn’t get scooped up as quickly as a kitten would. I went to adopt her the same day I saw her picture, because I knew she was mine! When she saw me, she crawled out from the back of the kennel and came right onto
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Stella now StellaLuna de La Peiu Peiu I had often frequented Tiny Lions Cat Cafe and would see wonderful kitties, but none caught my attention like Miss Stella. On meeting her, she did a purry figure 8 around my legs as if to say “you will do.” A few days later I visited to be sure, and we had a couch moment. She had hidden behind one of the couches, I pulled the back of the seat back far enough to see her and yet still let her be in the dark. I whispered that she would soon not have
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I adopted Barney when he was 3 months old, after he had been brought to HSHV by the Love Train from Tennessee. It was love at first sight, he had the goofiest wrinkly face and I was so excited to have a companion because I had recently moved out of my parents’. Barney is now 5 and we live in Ontario, Canada! He is a Velcro dog who loves to go on adventures with me. He also gets to spend lots of time on Lake Nipissing with his “cousins” (my parents’ dogs). He also needs to be tucked in every
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Polo now Finnegan Months after suddenly losing my beloved childhood cat to hyperthyroidism, I decided it was time to visit HSHV to see if I could find another furry friend. Because I was so close with the previous cat, my hopes weren’t high. But upon seeing Polo for the first time, I knew it was meant to be. For the first few hours of being home, he hid under the bed. Then, slowly, he jumped up and laid next to me. Less than a year later, we’re inseparable. He’s the king of the house, and absolutely loves everyone. I couldn’t
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Yohan & Smokey now Yohan & Emilio I never had cats growing up, always dogs. But then, when I was visiting my wife (fiancée at the time) in Ypsilanti, I grew fond of her roommate’s cat (a sweet little tortie named Sam). In January of 2012, I decided that I wanted a cat of my own. We visited the HSHV and the staff unanimously recommended a lovable older cat named Yohan. Yohan was eight years old at the time. He immediately came out to greet us and even curled up in our laps. I took him home that very same
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