Happy Tails | Animal Welfare Friends

This page features many of the wonderful people and pets we have united since our founding in March 2003.

If you have adopted an AWF dog or cat, we would love to hear from you. Please send a photo of your adoptive pet with at least one family member, along with a few sentences (no more than 40 words) on what the pet means to your family. These items should be sent to shelter@animalwelfarefriends.org, with Happy Tails as the subject line.

: “I call Jacob and Noelle my recycled dogs because they got a second chance for a new life. I love them both very much.” –Annie Locher

: “My best friend, Luke, has been with me thru thick and thin; I can’t imagine life without him. My “little lap dog” and I wouldn’t have it any other way. His charm, wit and huge personality amazes me. I’m very proud to call him mine.” –Michelle Bartlett

: “Charlie Simba is a very sweet kitty. He loves to set on my lap. He is a good company with my Golden Retriever and my older cat Tippie.” –Atha Jensen

: “A few months before I met Kemper, I was devastated when my beloved chocolate lab, Sully, passed in a house fire. Heartbroken and beyond sad, I felt like Sully led me to Kemper to let me know Kemper would help me heal. He did.” –Melissa Aalfs

: “Rosie (FKA Taya) is doing great. She follows Cassius’ when it’s time to go. She and Cassius just discovered how it is chasing each other around in the snow. We got her a pretty ID tag, some yummy food and some rawhides.” –The Barnhills

: “Zoey is wonderful! We got her from AWF in July and there is never a dull moment in our home. She thinks she’s the boss. It’s amazing the joy that adopted pets can bring. They say thank you every day.” –Alicia Kraus and Rylan

: “Dolly is sweet, cuddly and runs like the wind!! She has long legs and huge feet and flops everywhere she goes. She is finding her way into the pack and loves the heated floors and her new soft bed. We love our new addition!” –Mary & Brian Gutheinz

: “Buffy is a joy. He follows me around from room to room and ‘helps’ with household chores. He loves to ‘help’ put the groceries away. We’re so lucky Buffy chose us as his pet parents.” –Sheryl Schall

: “Here’s our Xmas pic this year w/ Gracie and Holly. They are doing absolutely wonderful, I love them both to tears!!!!!!! They are so funny, they crack me up all the time. I thank God for them every day!!” –The Murphy Family

: “We are in love with this dog I can’t find one reason why someone would move on and leave him behind! Thank you AWF, Gretchen and foster parents James & Amanda for this experience and most importantly for Buster!” –Amanda & Josh Schumacher

: “Brooks is working out well. He has a unique personality, very loving and has deeply bonded with our other GSP Jenny.” Picture of Jenny & Brooks –Pat and Lu Bertz

: “I found Mya’s description on Petfinder.com and immediately knew she was the one for us. She has such a sweet, loving personality and is so eager to please us that we can’t help but love her back. A big “THANK YOU” to AWF; you have a great program!!” –Jan & Mike Pugh

: “Albert (fka Lennie) is such a great dog! He is doing AMAZING! We cannot imagine life without him. We feel so lucky to have him and we can tell he feels pretty darn lucky to have us!” –Lindsey and Adam Dozier

: “Ozzie has given us so much pleasure! We are happy to have been able to give him a loving home.” –Duane and Jeanne Keegan

: “Becca has adjusted very well with us and we are so glad to have her, she is and forever will be a part of our family!” –The Snitkeys

: “Baron has brought untold joy and pleasure to our home and a feeling of safety, which cannot be purchased, to our daughter, Kally.” –Kathleen Barnes

: “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to adopt Tango (FKA Reggie). He is very sweet and cuddly, and he loves his new pal Simon; they are quite the pair! We are so happy that Tango is part of our family!” –Michelle Struchen, Paul Simonsen, and Simon the boxer

: “Brandon is a happy and full-of-life puppy. He likes to play with not just one person, but the entire family. Every morning he’s the first one to give you a kiss!” –Scott, Cathy, Nick & Megan Appleget

: “We are very appreciative of AWF for advertising Brooks and being available on the weekend for visitation and adoption. AWF has increased the quality of all our lives and we are extremely grateful.” –Pat and Lu Bertz

: “Bree lifts everyone’s spirits with her goofy personality, and she’s incredibly loving and loyal. I have no clue what we’d do without her. Thank you so much for bringing us together.” –Erynn Day

: “I adopted Little Dude after fostering him for several months. I love this little dog and I cannot imagine life without him. Thank you to AWF for rescuing this little man and bringing him into my life.” –Karen Ryan

: “We love Jasper. He has brought joy to our lives.” –Kalynnda & Carol Rivermoon

: “Logan made himself at home very quickly. He enjoys playing tag with our 4 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rudy and engages in wrestling contests with our 10 year old cat “Prancer”. Logan is very welcome addition to the family.” –The Muellers

: “We are very pleased to say we have fallen in love with Joey. He is a great dog and a great companion to us and our other Minature poodle. Thanks AWF, you have given us a gift of love and we thank you.” –The Zimmermans

: “Peaches is wonderful! We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect dog. It’s hard to remember what it was like before she joined our family. Even now, just over a year later, the kids thank God for her every night when they say prayers.” –The Ruble Family

: “Stanley is adoring and loving to everyone. He is hilarious too. He keeps everyone laughing with his crazy antics.” –Ashley Rothschild

: “Smart, hilarious Mickey happily carries multiple objects around the house, redistributing laundry. Margaret is steadfast, affectionate and a great hunter—in our small backyard. Companions don’t come any finer than these sweet girls. We belong to them forever. Thanks for all you do, AWF.” –Kim & Susan Ketelsen

: “Riley has added so much to our lives!! He makes us laugh every day: We can’t remember what life was like before he was here!” — Christopher Johnson & Traci, Steve, Ryan & Janelle Rezabek