Abraham (formerly Ranger)

"We thought you'd like to see how Abraham (formerly Ranger) is doing in his new home. We adopted him from Second Chance last October and he has turned out to be the best dog! He is very well behaved, doesn't bark unless necessary and loves nothing better than to be with my husband and I. He sleeps in our bedroom closet (his choice!) every night and loves to romp in his big backyard, as you can see in the pictures. He is still timid around new people but adapts fine once he's around them for a while. What a joy our Abe is to us!"

Thanks again, Kevin and Linda Getz

Alex

written by Alex's adopters, Dan and Stephanie

Update - May 2006: It has been 11 months since we adopted a dog from your shelter. Her name was Brittany but has since been changed to Alex. Hopefully you remember her... a real sweetie! She is a Brittany Spaniel. I promised you last summer that I would send pictures and am finally getting to it. She has made a nice transition. We already had a Brittany when we adopted her, and the 2 are still getting to know each other. I can finally say that I think they like each other. There was never a problem, just some ignoring. I am attaching pictures of her and her sister. She is the one on the right.

Thank you once again for giving Alex another chance in life. She is so sweet.

Allie

Allie came to the DeWitt County Animal Shelter and was never reclaimed. Her previous owner kept her locked up in his apartment all the time or just let her run loose as just a young girl of one year old. She was adopted by Carlene of Deer Creek in July 2005 and has completed doggie training classes and loves her new little sister Gracie, adopted from a local Chinese Crested rescue group! She also loves going to the dog park as they both go weekly.

Annie

This is Annie (on the left), a St. Bernard mix. Annie spent a very long time on foster care and was finally given her new lease on life when she was adopted by Jill and her husband and 2 daughters of Bloomington. Jill is Annie's foster mom's best friend from childhood and is also a Humane Investigator.

Ashley

This is Ashley, a lab mix adopted a few years ago as a senior pet and now living a great life with Becky, her husband, and their daughter Gracie in Monticello, Illinois.

Bailey

written by Bailey's adopter, Heather

I adopted Bailey in the summer of 2005 from Second Chance. Originally, I wanted to get a male they had for adoption, but a Second Chance volunteer called me and told me about this other dog, Bailey, who only had about a day before her time was up. Without seeing a picture of her, I agreed to take her instead, since her situation was more urgent. When I saw Bailey, I knew she would be a great dog for me. The more time I spend with her, the more I don't understand why her previous owners never came to claim her, as she was in "jail" for a very long time. I don't know much about her past, but she loves people, giving kisses and getting belly rubs. Bailey has been a great addition to my family, and she loves her new brother Oscar.

Baxter

written by Baxter's adopters, Karen and Bill Cole

On October 19, 2009 we adopted Baxter from you. We are his 4th home & we are so glad that we have him.  He is a wonderful addition to our family.  He adapted well to our home & his big fenced in yard. My grandson, who lives next door, is his best friend. They play together everyday. Baxter waits for him to come home from school.  He loves his squeaky toys. Thank you so much for your work & giving us this wonderful little guy!

Bella

written by Bella's adopter, Steph of Mackinaw, Illinois

Bella is doing awesome! She is getting along really well with the 3 Dachshunds. We're still working on the black Lab, Maddie. They get along ok most the time, and they will almost play with each other when they're outside. But every once in awhile Maddie growls a little bit, but she's getting better.

Bella runs around the basement in the morning and entertains herself while I'm getting ready for work. She listens very well and does well with commands. I'm training her with a halti, and so far she's doing very well with it. She'll wear it on her own for a few minutes before scratching at it, which is awesome compared to some dogs.

I took her into work Thursday afternoon and she met a bunch of people. Most of them she really liked and a couple she seemed to be a little bit scared of.

I've taken a few pictures and have them uploaded on Flickr so you can see them. Just go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/24602336@N07.

Bradley

written by Bradley's adopter, June Fischer

I wanted to send you a picture of Bradley (formerly Elmo the black Lab) and his new brother Jake. I took this picture today after we got home from the "doggie park" where they ran around for over an hour with a few other dogs. Bradley is a beautiful, healthy, fun dog. He is fitting in perfectly. He slept all night last night in his kennel without a peep. Thank you again for allowing us to adopt this beautiful dog. We will certainly take the best of care of him.

Brody

Brody, a 7-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier (pit bull) puppy, was surrendered to Second Chance because his former owner was going into the army and could no longer keep her pet. Brody was a lucky boy; he didn't have to spend any time at the shelter because a foster home was available for him as soon as he came into the rescue group. He spent about a month in a foster home with two other pit bulls and was always a very good boy for his foster parents. He was adopted in April of 2007 by a couple from Clinton with a 3-year-old beagle mix. Brody is now living a happy life playing with his new doggy brother every day. Brody is truly an ambassador for his often-misunderstood breed. He knows no enemy and loves giving kisses to everyone he meets!

Chance (formerly Luke)

written by Chance's adopters, Lucas and Marial of Champaign, IL

We adopted Chance (formerly known as Luke) a little over a month ago and our lives have never been the same! Thanks to Chance we now get more exercise whether we like it or not! He had no problems adjusting to his new home and is a perfect fit for our family. With no children of our own, Chance has become our first little kid whining when he wants something and always keeping us busy! He is also the best little snuggler (minus the snoring) you could ask for! Although he can be pretty ornery, as my husband always says “he is lucky he is so cute”! Thank you Second Chance for Pets! We are so happy to be able to give Chance a “Second Chance”!

Charlie (formerly Hamlin)

Originally named Hamlin, Charlie was adopted in the summer of 2006 when he was just a young puppy by Heidi, a 4th year University of Illinois vet student. Charlie is now living the good life, spending his summers on the lake and playing in the snow with his mom Heidi in the winters!

Clyde

Clyde, a young pit bull, was adopted by Joe of Wisconsin. Although Clyde was a lucky boy and didn't spend too much time in rescue, we're still very thankful that he was given a new chance at life! Not all pit bulls are as lucky as Clyde! Clyde adores kids (as you can see in the picture) and loves his doggy playdates, especially with Jackson (adopted from Second Chance as well) and Bella.

Cooper

Cooper, a pit bull/Lab mix, spent several long months in foster care waiting for his forever home. He was finally adopted in February of 2009 by Nick. They had a rough start as Cooper doesn’t do well with change, but Nick hung in there and loves Cooper through it all…the good, the bad, and the messy. Cooper's new favorite activity is lounging in the sun in his newly fenced-in backyard. He weighs 55 lbs. now and is healthy as a horse. The girls at the vet's office just love him!

Daisey (formerly Felicity)

Daisey was adopted from the DeWitt County Animal Shelter in January of 2009 by Teri and her kids Gracie and Thomas. We're told that Daisey is a very lazy cat who sleeps most of the day. She lover her human brother and sister and tolerates all the love that they give her! We're glad to see Daisey is so well loved now!

Deuce

written by Deuce's adopter, Sarah Sokol

My husband and I adopted Deuce (Dogue de Bordeaux/pit bull mix) from you last October 2008.  He's such a sweetie and a cuddle-bug!  We love him so much and thank you very much for letting us adopt him!!

Dia

written by Dia's adopters, Lindsay and Chris

Update - May 2008: I wanted to give you an update on Dia. She is doing great. This past Thursday she passed her puppy obedience class. It was once a week for seven weeks. She did really well. She can sit, stay, lay down and come. She is growing fast; she's about 45 pounds now and has lost all of her puppy teeth. She has also learned to swim. It took her a couple of times going to the beach to get used to it but she does better everytime we go.

Update - March 2008: We just wanted to give you an update on Dia. She is doing very well. We were surprised how great she did on the long car ride home. She slept most of the way. We are also very pleased with how well she is adapting to her new surroundings - she is a little fearless spitfire! She jumps all over our other dog and likes to steal toys from him. We are so happy that we adopted her. She is going to be a great fit in our family.

Dixie

Dixie, a very sweet young pit bull mix, was relinquished to a local vet by her owner when he wasn't able to care for her anymore. Rather than risking sending her to a bad home where she might have been abused or neglected, he opted to have her humanely euthanized. Luckily for Dixie, the kind people who work at the vet's office couldn't let her die for no reason, so they called Second Chance to help place Dixie in a new home. Dixie spent two months in a foster home with two other dogs and did very well there. She is a very mild-mannered, submissive little girl who has a very strong desire to please people. We know she will be the center of attention in her new home!

Update - March 2008 - from Dixie's mom, Lori: Dixie is doing great! We have nicknamed her "The Love Sponge." She always has to be right there where the action is, and if you are sitting on the recliner or couch she has to be either laying on you or right smack next to you soaking up the love. She is wonderful with the kids and loves playing with them. She makes the rounds with me to each bedroom when I go to tell them goodnight and she does the same if I have to wake them up in the morning. My husband finally gave in on the whole dog sleeping in the bed thing because since he is gone through the week Dixie has Doug's whole side of the bed to herself and she really doesn't like to give that up on the weekends - but at least she will sleep at the foot of the bed now and has stopped trying to lay between us with her head on the pillows....LOL!

Dixie

Dixie the Collie came to Second Chance as a stray but was originally adopted from Homeward Bound out of Decatur. Her owners owners did not want her back, so she went into foster care. Dixie now lives in Davenport, Iowa with Pam and her husband and her new big brother Kirby. Looks like things are going great for Dixie and her family!

Eddie

Originally sitting on death row in Logan County, Eddie, an American Bulldog mix, made his great escape and ended up in Clinton in August of 2007. He was picked out by Brian, a long time applicant, who finally found the perfect dog for him. Eddie now lives on a farm in Northern Shelbyville where he gets to run freely and chase his new dad on the 4-wheeler.

Brian recently rescued a purebred English Mastiff named Tyson. We've heard that he sure can drool! Eddie and Tyson are getting along very well, as you can see from the picture below!

Edison

Edison was adopted in February of 2009. He loves playing with his new owners and chewing on his blanket, or his "meme" as the kids call it!

Elster (formerly Libby)

written by Elster's adopters, Jane and Brighten of Champaign, IL

We wanted to give you an update on Elster.  She continues to be a delight, and we can't thank you enough for rescuing her and bringing her into our life.  She is in perfect health except for some seasonal allergies, for which she is taking Benadryl.  She loves to play tug of war, fetch, and frisbee, and to run around our huge backyard.   She is very friendly and gives lots of kisses, and is always excited to meet new people.  Elster is very smart and eager to please, so her training is going well.

We have attached some photos of Elster we took recently in our backyard; we hope you love them!  Thank you again.

Ely (formerly Sir Loin)

This is Ely and his new dad Larry.  Ely was adopted in September of 2009 and lives right here in Clinton. Ely loves going to the park where he can run and play with his new dad.

Faith (formerly Tess)

Faith was originally named "Tess" at the DeWitt County Shelter. She was adopted by Lori in 2006. Although she was a little shy at first, she came out of her shell quickly and enjoys sleeping on her peoples' bed and being held and snuggled!

Farley

This is Farley, a Hound/terrier mix adopted from the shelter in July 2009.  Here he is with his new mom and dad and Jack Russell sister Marley. They live in Mattoon and are doing great!  Farley loves all the walks and attention he gets in his new forever home.  We can't thank them enough for saving Farley! 

Fez (formerly Cimba)

Fez is a young Boxer that was originally named Cimba at the shelter. He found his home with Julie and her kids, Jack and Kate. They report that he is doing wonderfully and is such a good boy, especially for a puppy!

FiFi

FiFi, a 5-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier, was apprehended from her "breeder" in early 2007. She had been bred over and over again and was in desperate need of rescue. Thankfully, a wonderful family adopted her just in time. FiFi is now winning everyone over with her terrific personality and charm. What a happy ending for a truly deserving girl!

Frank (formerly Rusty)

Originally named Rusty, Frank (the Pug mix in the red shirt) was adopted in July of 2006. He has settled into his new home very well, as if he has been there forever! He adores his Pug sister, Lola, and loves playing at the dog park. He has brought lots of joy to his new family; they couldn't have asked for a better addition to their home!

Freeway

Freeway, an adorable pit bull mix puppy, is now living the good life with Tawnya, Greg, and their son Garrett in Bellflower, Illinois. Freeway enjoys spending his days playing with his doggy brother Opie (adopted from Second Chance in 2005) and his doggy sister, Gracie.

Giselle

written by Giselle's adopter, Nancy

Giselle is a delight. She wakes us up every morning wagging her tail and licking our faces. Her favorite sleeping spot is snuggled right up against one of us. When Rick leaves early on the morning, she bounds up the steps to our bedroom, where she perches to watch him from the window as he drives away. She can't wait to see us when we get home. Giselle is absolutely one of the happiest (and most eager to please) dogs I have ever met.

While Giselle is extremely loyal to Rick and me, it took a little while for her to warm up to our two sons (20 and 23) who were home for the holidays. They might have reminded her of the teen boys who abused her in July. Nonetheless, she learned to love them, too, turning to them for food, walks, treats and a warm bed to sleep in the sunshine. Our youngest has her photo on his phone as a screensaver.

She loves to go for rides in the car, is protective of me during walks, and is very good when we have visitors. She has huge bursts of energy, then curls up in a ball to sleep. She loves romp in our yard and go to an informal dog socialization session in the yard of our neighborhood elementary school every Sunday. Giselle chases the little dogs and tries to dodge the big ones. She also was one of the best students in her dog training class, and we plan to bring her back for more advanced training.

In a nutshell, we couldn't be happier to have Giselle in our lives. You did a terrific job as foster parents. She's loving, healthy and spirited. And, we love her dearly.

Gracie

written by Gracie's new owner, Kim

Gracie’s been a member of our family for nearly a month now and we couldn’t be happier with her. We’re thrilled to have found a Pit Bull mix who gets along so well with our little dog, Jake. They’re constant companions, and when they play together, Gracie gets down on her belly to be on Jake’s level! We’ve taught the kids to help us make sure the dogs know that their humans are the 'pack leaders,' and we’ve had absolutely no problems with food aggression or aggression toward children or other dogs. As a natural watch dog, she and Jake work as a team to let strangers know they need to stay at the front door until we’ve said it’s okay for them to come in. She’s picked up leash training very well (first with a prong collar, now with just a choke chain), so that I can walk both dogs by myself without being pulled in all directions. But the best thing about Gracie is that she’s more than happy to sit quietly with us and let us pet her velvety fur for hours on end. We looked at a few dogs through Second Chance, but Heather didn’t give up until she found the perfect addition to our family. Thanks so much!

Grunt

We're so pleased to hear that Grunt is doing so well with his new dad Ben living in Rantoul.  He loves playing Frisbee golf with his dad. Ben says, "We have been spending all of our free time outside enjoying this wonderful weather.  Grunt is getting along great and is a real joy to have around." Thanks, Ben, for giving Grunt such a great home!

Gunner (formerly Maynard)

written by Gunner's adopters, Mallory and Ryan

September 2009: Attached are some updated pictures of our Gunner. He is doing great! He recently got a new baby pit bull brother! We know have 3 fur kids!! All of which are rescues. We could NOT be happier!

Hello! I just thought I would update you on Maynard! We changed his name to Gunner. He is amazing. He is a great little brother to our pit bull Lily. Gunner and his sister love running around my family owned lake/woods. We take them there every weekend. He is already trying to get into the water to swim! I keep telling him it is too cold still. He is a very energetic pup and fits hand in hand with our outdoor lifestyle. Through my eyes he is perfect. We could not be happier about our decision to adopt.

Thanks for doing what you guys do!

Heeler puppy

This adorable puppy was born in foster care to a purebred Blue Heeler who spend some time at the DeWitt County Shelter. More information and updates on this Heeler puppy coming soon!

Hoochie

Hoochie was dumped at the shelter by an irresponsible and careless breeder when Hoochie had weaned her puppies and was of no more use. Facing euthanization, she was adopted just in time. She is doing very well in her new home and is learning the house rules very quickly! Hoochie was left to die at the shelter as just another victim of a terrible breeding cycle, but instead she was given a chance at a new life thanks to her new mom!

Jackson

Jackson came to Second Chance when his original family relinquished him because they just didn't have time for him anymore. Jackson was a lucky boy because an Animal Control officer begged for his life and was able to save him from being euthanized. He spent just a few weeks in foster care before he was adopted by Angie and Jamie of central Wisconsin. He now enjoys playing with his doggy sister, Bella (an Olde Boston Bulldogge) and his human sister, Lola. Jackson is a great ambassador to the pit bull breed, and we love hearing about how well he is doing in his new home!

Jake

Jake was a young pup and belonged to a local family that needed to find him a new home due to their own health reasons. Jake had some attitude and was a bit of a nipper, so the right home had to be found for him to get the chance he deserved. That blessing came when Tina and her fabulous family contacted Second Chance, and it was love at first sniff. Jake now has an older doggie brother named Weebles, and he’s given up the nipping habit for hugs instead! 

Jazmine

This is Jazmine, a beautiful young Bull Terrier/pit bull mix, adopted in October of 2008. More updates on Jazmine coming soon!

Jazzie

Update - September 2009: Second Chance volunteers were very sad to learn that Jazzy's doggy brother Digger pased away on September 16. He was a great dog that brought a lot of joy to his family's lives, and he will be greatly missed.

Update - August 2008: "Just a quick note about Jazzie. She is doing great; she now has another brother that we rescued - Shadow, a 135lb deaf Old English Sheepdog. Jazzie has become very close to him. When something is going on and there is excitement, Jazzie runs and gets Shadow so he doesn’t miss out. I know Jazzie knows something is different about Shadow. And of course her brother Digger. She loves camping and swimming. Thanks so much for Jazzie...aka Betty Busy Body….she is always in every ones business. We take her to the ball park and let the 3 of them just run as hard and fast as they want to. The other 2 dogs are usually wore out, but wild child jazzie goes hard till we leave."

Jazzie, a beautiful young pit bull mix, came into foster care in the summer of 2006 with very little (if any!) training. In the few months that she was in foster care, she was housebroken and learned several tricks! She was adopted by a wonderful family who was grieving the loss of their beloved female pit bull to cancer. Jazzie enjoys spending her time with her human family and her Boxer brother, Digger. She's looking forward to going camping with her family this summer. Thanks, Marcia and Kevin, for giving Jazzie a perfect forever home!

Joe

written by Joey's adopters, Barb and Adrienne

I'm sending along some long-overdue pictures of our "puppy" Joe. We adopted him from Second Chance in 2006. His name originally was Smokey Joe, and he's a little 3-legged man. His new name is actually Joseph Randall, but we call him Joey most of the time. Anyway, when Joey was adopted I said I'd send photos, and it's taken me this long to get around to doing it!

Just wanted to let you know he's doing fine and we love, love, love him!!! We definitely agree that the person who gave Joey up must have been a complete moron because no one in their right mind would ever give up such a sweet boy!

Thanks!

JuneBug (formerly Phoebe) and Butch

written by JuneBug and Butch's adopter, Erika

Update, January 2010: New pictures of JuneBug and Erika's newest addition, Butch (along with Erika's first dog, a Shar Pei mix named Bo)

Update, June 2008: "Phoebe came into my foster care about 4 months ago and right away I knew that she was a special little girl. She is smart as whip and took to training right away. We worked through some issues like being afraid to get in the car since her last owners dumped her. Now she has confidence and loves to ride. After having her so long I was getting very attached and sadly no one was showing any interest in her so I decided I would hog her all for myself and renamed her JuneBug. I was devastated when my dog passed away back in November and while I know no dog could ever replace my Barkley, JuneBug has definitely filled the void that left me with the feeling that something was missing. My little JuneBug will now help me socialize other fosters in hopes they too will be so lucky as to get their second chance."

Kayla

written by Kayla's new owner, Karen Beasley of Granite City, IL

We adopted Kayla November 18, 2006. She has become a loving addition to our family. She lives here with me, my husband Dennis, son Kyle, daughter Rachel and our dog Maggie. We adopted Kayla after we had to have our beloved Casey put to sleep, she had congestive heart failure and was really suffering. I knew that Maggie would need a companion so I got on Petfinder.com and found Kayla. She had such a sweet face, I couldn't resist her. She and Maggie get along great. As you can see in one of the pictures, a favorite game they play is tug of war. They also like to run around the back yard and chase birds. Kayla is a very sweet dog. Yes, I say that even though she has chewed several shoes in the house. We have been very pleased with the service we received from Heather, Second Chance Volunteer. From the first email to the directions to pick up Kayla and since, Heather has been very helpful in answering any questions promptly. Keep up the good work!

Lane

Lane (formerly Squiggy) came into the shelter with his twin brother Lenny (see below) as strays. Lane was adopted by his mom Danielle who is a nurse and they now live in Harvey, IL.  New pictures to be updated soon.

Lenny

Lenny is a great companion for Bill, as Bill is for Lenny. Both are extremely happy with each other. Lenny loves his large yard. Lenny is just a large Love Bug who loves attention! And Bill has time to give that to him. They are a great match.

Leo (formerly Culvert)

Leo was adopted by Jon Albee of Bloomington in the spring of 2009. As you can see from the picture, he is quite spoiled!

Lexi

Lexi is a "blue" American Pit Bull Terrier that was pulled from the McLean County Humane Society in August of 2005 at the age of 3 months. She is a gorgeous, sweet girl who spent much of her puppyhood at the dog park and on play dates with other friendly dogs.

Supposedly a rarity, blue pit bulls are ending up in shelters and rescue groups all over the country because they are a new fad and are being bred more quickly than they can be placed in homes. If you are looking for for a pit bull to add to your family, please consider adopting instead of buying from careless breeders!

Lilly

Lilly, a gorgeous and happy young black Lab mix (in the back in this picture), was adopted in June of 2007. More information about Lilly coming soon.

Mason

Mason was adopted by a long time volunteer Lorrie and her husband He was the last of his heeler litter and the only little red-headed kid we had.  Mason is doing great living out in the country with his mom, dad, and doggie best friend. 

Matilda

Matilda, a purebred Olde English Bulldogge, came into foster care in December of 2007 when changes in her previous family's life forced them to give up their beloved pet. When Matilda got to foster care, she had very few manners and generally hated being around other dogs. Through a lot of intense training and socialization in her doggy boot camp foster home, she transformed into a wonderful pet! (Thanks, Heather!)

Matilda now lives with her adoptive dad, Andy and her doggy brother, Otis. As you can tell from the pictures below, she is getting along with him very well. We have no doubts that Matilda will live the rest of her life spoiled rotten!

Max

This is Max. He was turned into the shelter with his buddy Sadie (pit bull). Max's adopter Michael has always wanted a black shepherd mix and now he finally has one. Keep us updated, Michael!

Max

Max, a Yorkie, came into rescue with his best friend Abbey. Abbey found her forever home with her foster mom Franci from Bellflower, IL. Max has found his home with his new mom Ann and now has another doggie sibling to play with once again.

Max is living proof that you can always find beautiful purebred dogs in rescues and shelters!

Moo

Moo was first adopted in 2004 from the DeWitt County Animal Shelter and stayed in that home for almost two years with frequent returns to the shelter due to escaping the house. He was finally relinquished to be given a better life. Moo is a goofball who makes everyone laugh! He loves living with his new forever dad, Ron.

Norris

Norris, four of his littermates, and their mother were relinquished to Second Chance in September of 2006 when the puppies were just 4 weeks old. Norris was placed into a great foster home where he had two adult dogs to teach him doggy manners. Norris got adopted when he was 8 weeks old but was returned to his foster home through no fault of his own. He finally found his forever home when he was just over 3 months old. He is now a well cared for guy who loves being his new dad's little buddy.

Norris' story is just another one of irresponsible breeding. Fortunately, his story ended well, but not every puppy is so lucky. If you are looking to bring a puppy into your home, please don't support careless "backyard" breeders when great pups like Norris are waiting for their forever homes in rescue groups and shelters all over the country!

Please check out the following sites for more information on what "backyard breeders" are:
What is a Backyard Breeder?
Backyard Breeder vs. Reputable Breeder

Opie

Opie, a pit bull/lab mix, was rescued from a high kill shelter in Lincoln, Illinois in August of 2005 when he was just 3 months old. He was adopted in Sept 2005 at the annual Apple and Pork Festival in Clinton. Tawnya, the woman who adopted him, works for the ASPCA out of her home in Bellflower, Illinois, so we know that Opie is in good hands and will be loved and well cared for all of his life! Opie now shares his home with his doggy buddies, Gracie and Freeway (also adopted from Second Chance).

Orion

Orion was pulled from the McLean County Humane Society in July of 2006 when she was just over a year old. She would have been euthanized for no other reason than being a pit bull if Second Chance hadn't rescued her. Here she is with her new mom, Merrick, who loves her to pieces!

Update - February 2008: Hey! This is Merrick, Orion's momma! I haven't contacted y'all in a while and figured I was overdue for an update. Orion is my Angel, my best friend, my shoulder to cry on, I really couldn't ask for anything more. I haven't really updated y'all since I got her, so here is the run down. Orion went through a rigorous 2 month Doggie Day Care training course, 5 days a week, from 9 am till 5 pm. She sits, lays down, heels, walks beautifully on a leash, and rides great in the car. Now we are working on getting her Canine Good Citizenship because a lot of people have been telling me she would be a wonderful therapy dog! Now let's skip ahead a lil bit. Orion and I moved to North Carolina last January, and we have now been here a year. This Christmas Orion and I were invited to walk in the Christmas parade in downtown Winston Salem to show people that a nice pit bull does exist! Other than being completely spoiled rotten, she is my baby. I take her everywhere I can! I can never thank y'all enough for pairing me with her!

Hugs and Licks from the both of us!

Ozzie (formerly Sox)

written by Ozzie's adopters, Brian and Stephanie

Hi! We wanted to update you on how Ozzie (named Sox at the shelter) has been doing since we adopted him on November 21, 2007. Our little Thanksgiving Boston fit in at our house right away. Our other Boston and Ozzie got along from the very first night. We found that Ozzie must have been crate trained by his previous owners, because he goes straight in his bed when told. He was well potty trained and has picked up other commands quickly. He's a great dog- we expected a challenge with our first shelter puppy, but he's really been wonderful.

Pandora

written by Pandora's adopter, Leah

Hi everyone! I just wanted to send along an updated picture of Pandora (“Dora”). There haven’t been any “incidents” in the house with her, and she tolerates the kids very well. Maybe not some of their toys… but that’s another story. LOL

She’s hilarious to watch about 6pm, when she knows it’s walk time. She jumps and flips and “yodels” at me… it’s hilarious!!! But a good 2 mile walk later, and she’s out cold on the sofa. The only part of her that moves at this point would be her eyes… LOL

She apparently enjoys chasing rabbits. If I’m not alert to what’s around, and she spots one, she’ll take off after it. Which, let me say, does wonders on the ‘ol shoulders. She has also finally figured out the mystery of the screen patio door. We usually have both the screen & glass door closed… so in order to go outside, we have to open both doors. Well… for a long while, I’d open the glass door and she’d bounce off the screen door. Now she approaches with caution. She still hasn’t figured out the “sit” to get clipped onto her leash though. Especially for that 6pm walk…

Paxton

Paxton was adopted by Nick in August of 2009 after spending 4 months in a foster home. Nick says that everyone who meets him just loves him, and he loves them all right back! We're so glad that Paxton is continuing to be a great ambassador for the pit bull breed.

Payton

Payton, a gorgeous and sweet pit bull, was adopted in June of 2009 by Justin. Payton is the light of his life and one of the reasons for his new home purchase.  It was hard for his foster mom to let her go, but she knew Justin would love her forever, and she would be his one and only.

Peanut

Peanut (the black cat) was adopted from the DeWitt County Animal Shelter. He came to the shelter with a broken tail and has since had it amputated. His owner, Debbie, says that he's a very sweet cat that loves his foster brother, Hemingway (pictured).

Phoebe

Phoebe came to the DeWitt County Animal Shelter as a lost little 3-month-old puppy. She was in three different foster homes before she found the perfect human family - a mom, dad, and two human sisters. Phoebe was adopted in June of 2006.

Princess

Princess, a young female American Pit Bull Terrier, was adopted from Second Chance in May of 2007. She now lives in Peoria with Chad, Ashley, their daughter Makya, and their Shih Tsu, Baby Girl. Princess now enjoys daily walks with her new family and playing at the nearby park.

Raina (formerly Reagan)

Originally named Reagan, Raina was adopted from the DeWitt County Animal Shelter in the fall of 2006 just days before she was scheduled to be euthanized when no one had claimed her after she was found as a stray. She is now a much-loved member of her human family. She loves curling up on the kitchen rug while her family is cooking dinner, but her favorite activity is playing with her human brother and sister!

Ralphie

written by Ralphie's adopters, Jessica and Lon

Hello Second Chance for Pets!

It has been a while since we last communicated with you, but I happened to look at your web site today, saw the success stories, and realized that we had not yet given you an update on our wonderful little pooch, Ralphie (he was called Scraps at 2nd Chance)! We adopted him from 2nd Chance on September 18, 2007. Attached are some pictures of how well he is doing in his new home with us in Champaign, IL. He loves to go on long walks in the parks near our home, and is a great cuddler and playmate (he LOVES tug of war and fetch)! Ralphie just completed an obedience class, and can now perform several commands, too. He is so happy to see us everyday, and he has made our lives so much richer, fuller, and more complete. If possible, please add him to your 2007 success stories, because we want everyone to know how much Ralphie is being loved, and how well he is doing!

Thanks so much for helping us add Ralphie to our family!

Rebel

Rebel is doing great in his new home! He gets to sleep in the bed with his new dad, and he gets free run of the laundryroom/porch during the day while his owner is at work. He loves his Kong and Nylabone toys and has even chewed the feet off of a Bad Cuz! Rebel goes for walks and playdates with his friends. He just loves everyone!

Remy

Update - May 2009: (by Remy's mom, volunteer and foster mom Leeann Stallman) At four years old and fully matured, Remy has turned out to be the most wonderful dog I could ever ask for - I had no doubts that he would! I had a baby boy in February, and Remy is so gentle with him. See the picture! He even follows his dad and me to the nursery when we change the baby's diaper because he loves being close to his little brother. These two are going to be best of friends soon. Remy is a perfect example that even dogs that have been mistreated by their former owners can turn out to be perfect pets. Dogs with great natural temperaments really can endure a terrible life, and they're often very patient waiting for their second chance.

Remy came into foster care in March of 2006 a skinny, stinky, scared pit bull/lab mix that had been seriously neglected by his previous owners. As an owner surrender, he went straight to foster care, so he was a lucky boy that never had to experience shelter life. Remy was his foster family's first foster dog, and they fell in love with him instantly. It didn't take them long to decide to keep him! Remy is so well-behaved and sweet that everyone who meets him wants to adopt a dog just like him. Despite his sad past, Remy is now a happy, healthy boy who loves being spoiled by his mom Leeann and all of her friends and family. He's an energetic boy, but his favorite activity is snuggling with his human and doggy friends and just enjoying the good life, free of hunger pains and the fear of being mistreated. In September of 2008, Remy earned his Temperament Test title from the American Temperament Test Society! (Check out www.atts.org for more information on this temperament test.) He's truly a bully breed ambassador!

Riley

Riley (pit bull mix) was picked up by Animal Control as a stray at the age of just three months and spent three long weeks at the DeWitt County Animal Shelter before fining her way to a temporary foster home where she didn't have to sleep on the cold, hard ground or worry about the other dogs barking at her. She spent the next month and a half in a new foster home before being adopted by her new dad. She now has a pit bull brother about the same age as she is named Luda to play with everyday. How could anyone have neglected such a sweet little puppy? Riley was one of the lucky ones to make into a good, safe home.

Riley

Updates on Riley the cat coming soon!

Romeo

Romeo spent a lot of time in foster care. On a particularly rambunctious day, he broke his leg falling off of his foster mom's deck! Thank goodness Second Chance was able to cover the cost of his surgery. This handsome boy truly deserved the best care, and we're glad he's so happy and well cared for in his new home in Lincoln, IL!

Rosie

written by Rosie's adopters, the Bylons

I just wanted to touch base with you and tell you that everything is going GREAT!!!! She is such a sweetie, and of all the kids she has already bonded to the little guy Luke. She follows him around everywhere.. She is listening well and has not had an accident in the house yet! It's so funny she looks around jumps up on the couch and is like "oh yeah a little me time" then the boys come up and start playing with her again.She is soo wonderful! Thank you for what you do. I am already in love! Here is a picture of her and her new best friends.

Rosie (formerly Bella)

written by Rosie's adopter, Kris Kerr

The kids have found a name for Bella that they like - her new name is Rosie. She is delighted to have four people to play with. There is always someone free to take her for a walk! She hasn't made any housebreaking mistakes yet, which is surprising and wonderful. She knows her way around and seems very comfortable in her new home.

Thanks for all your help and don't hesitate to check up on Rosie any time!

Roxanne (Roxy) - formerly Brandi

Update - March 2009: Roxanne is still doing very well. She even has a new family member, a baby girl named Lydia born in February. Roxanne is extremely sweet with Lydia and gets very concerned when she cries. They're going to be the best of friends! Thanks for being such a great breed ambassador, Roxanne!

Update - May 2008: "It has been quite a while since I have spoken with you, but I wanted to update you and let you know that things are going really well. Balyn and Roxanne (we barely call her Roxy anymore...) are wonderful. They are still inseparable. We really don't have any problems with them. Some times they are a little rowdy, but they are still young and it's to be expected. I wanted to let you know that I am very proud of myself, they both walked on a leash fairly well to begin with, but we have mastered our outings. Since Scott works nights, it is just little me walking both of them, and we have it down to an art now. I get a lot of looks and some comments, "Why is that little girl walking those big dogs!" I am proud of that. We are getting Roxanne to the vet here soon, I don't think there is anything wrong, but she has started peeing in her sleep.... We never noticed it before.... and then we got a new couch. And I would notice some wet spots once in a while. Well, I thought they were drool to be honest, but then one day I got up and Roxanne was still laying there and it was definitely a pee spot, since she was still sleeping in it... She started with the new couch, but she has done it a few times in the dog bed in our room also. No idea why. But we are going to take her in just to be sure, and it's time for her check up anyway. But if you have heard of any reason why she might be doing that, let me know. She pees a lot. But doesn't have accidents any other time, not even in her crate. The only thing I could think of would be maybe she is diabetic, but she doesn't have any other symptoms. We'll see. Here are a few pictures I thought you would enjoy."

"Roxy (formerly Brandy) is finally home. She has a brother, a Mom and Dad, and a home of her own - and she deserves just that. We had adopted a dog from a shelter in Springfield earlier in the year, Balyn, a Boxer/pit bull mix that is now about a year and half old. It was a family decision that Balyn needed a sibling to play with. The search was on at petfinder.com, and even though there were so many deserving dogs, and the choice was so hard, we were confident that we could find the right match for our family. And Roxy was the one. So far, she and Balyn play almost non-stop until they are just so tired that they can't go any longer. As you can see in the pictures, Roxy was pretty wore out after her first day home. There was a long drive and a lot of playing involved, so we can't make fun of her too much for passing out like that.... Roxy and Balyn have already bonded. They just can't get enough of each other (even though sometimes it would be a lot quieter around our house if they could). We are so thankful to have found Roxy, and that she was so lucky to have ended up at the Second Chance for Pets/Dewitt County Animal Shelter. Even though we didn't expect to have to drive so far to get our second dog, we were more than happy to do so. There's no distance that would stop us from having our two kids. Thanks to everyone at Second Chance for taking such good care of our baby Roxy before we could find her. Roxy thanks you for her new home, too."

--Roxanne's adopter, Regina

Ryder and Layla

Ryder was adopted in May of 2009 by Martha of Rantoul. He's doing well with his basic training and has even found playmates Martha's daughters German Shepherds. Ryder is such a good boy, and we're thrilled that he found such a good home! Keep the updates coming, Martha!

Update - December 2009 - Martha adopted another Layla (formerly LaLa) from Second Chance for Pets over the summer. Martha loves having a running partner in Layla and a snuggle buddy in Ryder!

Rylie

Rylie, a beautiful red nose pit bull, was rescued in the summer of 2006. She was almost euthanized due to no foster home being available but was saved just in time by a local vet tech named Beth. Thank you, Beth, for giving Rylie a great home!

Sami

written by Sami's adopter, Mary

Sami the Collie I adopted recently from you is doing great. She is sweet and is learning quickly. She is now eating well and is at home in "her" yard. She was completely housebroken and sleeps right by my bed. She has started to eat well. She is learning to come when called and how to walk on a leash. She and I will soon go to obedience classes.

Sami loves the neighborhood kids who come by to play. She goes for long walks with my neighbor who is in training for a marathon. Thank you for the work you do.

Sasha

Sasha (the white pit bull mix in the picture) had a rough life before being adopted in 2008. We're glad that she's living the good life now and never has to worry about where her next meal will come from!

Scooby Doo and Shaggy

"My family and I just wanted to send you an updated picture of the two male cats we adopted from your shelter in August of 2008.  Frank, Connie, Janna and Katerina Borth adopted the Tweedle brothers from your shelter.  We have since renamed them.  Their names are Scooby Doo & Shaggy.  They still look exactly alike, except Shaggy has developed white whiskers on his cheeks and eyebrows.  I am attaching some current pictures of the boys.  They have fit in very well at our house with our dogs.  They think that they are a dog a lot of the time.  They have attached themselves very well to Katerina and are socialable with the rest of the family and my three neices.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to save bring the Tweedle brothers into our lives.  They have been a great joy!  We recently had to put to sleep our other 14 year old cat.  His name was Mouse and he was a butterscotch morris male.  He was a big part of my father's life.  We miss him greatly."

Shane

written by Shane's adopter, Joan

I am sending long overdue pictures of Shane, a black lab/pointer mix, whom we adopted in December 2005.  He quickly adapted to late-night TV and video games with teenagers at our home.  Now eight years old, Shane is a sweetheart who is devoted to his family, hangs out with lab brother Nero, and is a whirlwind who plays ball and fetches from sunrise to sunset.  Thanks again, Second Chance!

Simon

written by Simon's adopters, Frank and Christine

July 2009: The first night Simon seemed a little unsure of his new surroundings.  He was pacing around a lot, like he didn't know where to be.  I gave him an old blanket and towel to sit on, which he really liked, and then we put together a kennel for him.  He made lots of puppy noises all night long the first night, but ever since then he's been really happy.  I think he learned that we're going to feed him and walk him and play with him, so he's not afraid anymore.  He is already flirting with all the neighbors, and he's been enjoying our walks in the park.  Take a look at the pictures, he's taken ownership of the kennel as well, which is great.  We're working on sit and heel now, and he's coming along very fast, he's so happy all the time!

Sissy

Sissy was rescued by Lynn and her husband Mark of Bloomington in 2008.  Sissy shares her home with several cats and a newly-adopted 5-year-old boxer named Chloe. The girls are best of friends, and Lynn says Sissy is the best dang dog in the whole world!

Sophie (formerly Lilly)

This is Sophie, previously known as Lilly.  She was adopted by Kari from Bloomington in October 2009. She is the love of her life and the perfect match! Kari and Sophie love going for walks together and playing Wii Fit.

Sophie

written by Sophie's adopter, Adrienne

My boyfriend and I adopted Sophie, the Great Dane/Boxer mix about two months ago. She has been a great addition to our family and we love her very much. She occasionally gets in the garbage can and she likes to put her front feet on the kitchen counters to see what crumbs have been left behind, but other than that she has been a sweetheart. Sophie is a very friendly girl and just wants to be next to someone at all times. We go for daily walks and she can't wait to meet every new person and dog she sees!

Spaz

Spaz, a young American Pit Bull Terrier, and five of her puppies were surrendered to Second Chance for Pets by neglectful owners in September of 2006. Spaz's puppies (including Norris) found homes quickly, but Spaz spent 8 long months in foster care before she was adopted by AJ and Cassie.

If you are looking to adopt a pet, please consider a female that has just had puppies. Their puppies are always adopted quickly, but it often takes several months to a year for momma dogs to find their forever home. They deserve a second chance just as much as their puppies do!

Spencer (formerly PitterPat)

Here is a picture of "PitterPat" better known as Spencer. He is the coolest cat. I'm so glad he found us.

Thanks, The Watchinskis

Squirt

Squirt, an adorable "mini pit," was adopted in February of 2009. Her adopter Ann said she's doing very well, and they can't wait until summer when they can be outside more!

Stella

written by Stella's adopter, Val

A quick update on Stella: She is fabulous! She's getting so comfortable with us that she's developed selective-hearing when she's too busy having fun - which, when she's outside, usually consists of chasing squirrels or running up and down a particular spot on our fence. Stella loves cuddling/petting and playing with her toys almost as much as she loves food, which says a lot if you ask me. She loves walks, and jogging even more, but we suspect that she was never exercised before we got her because her endurance is fairly low.

Stella has already been to North Carolina with us, hiking and camping, and up to Chicago to visit family. She's enrolled in dog obedience school for this fall, so things are already great, and they're only going to get better.

Stubby

written by Sargent Stubby's adopter, Deb

Stubby has settled in nicely. I would describe him as inquisive, curious, intelligent and a loving animal who cares about his handlers. You can tell he has been fed from the table which we chose not to, he prefers sitting next to you and would prefer all of one of our attention. But he is a true snuggle dog! We are so pleased with our choice! He is a much needed addition to our lives, and I am alot calmer knowing he will be with me.

Suzy

written by Suzy's adopter, Rebecca of Bloomington

All's well here. I'm sending some pictures of lil Suz relaxing on the couch as well as showing off her territorial abilities! She and Richie are having a good ol' time. She always wants what he has, and Matthew has nicknamed her "Me too-me too" which is very fitting...she's definitely like the little sister who follows big bro all over the place.

Tally

written by Tally's adopters, Lindy and Bob Darovic

We adopted Tally on Memorial Day of this year and have been in love with her ever since. She is now very spoiled and we think she is loving every minute of it!! You can usually find her at the front window, as she needs to know what is going on outside. She loves to chew on her bones and play fetch with her ball or kong. At the end of July, she graduated from obedience school and her diploma is on our fridge. She did a great job and we are very proud of her. She loves to go on car rides and she sits in the back window of the car so she can see everything around her. She loves her visits to the dog park and will literally run circles around the other dogs. She loves to crawl under the blankets where it is nice and warm. She has come a long way with kids and we no longer need to constantly supervise her with them. Her personality has really come out and she is so funny!! We are blessed to have her!

Tango

Update - June 2009: "I wanted to give you an update on Tango. We have had him for a year now and he is doing great. He is now  65 lbs. and still has some growing to do. He earned his Canine Good Citizen title at 10 mos. and just finished Advanced Obedience class. We are also working towards Tango becoming a Therapy dog. He has such personality and a gentle disposition. He loves to stalk the squirrels on his morning walks and has made many dog friends along the way."

Update - June 2008: "We have had Tango a month now and he is doing great. He is such a sweet and loving puppy. He fits in perfect and has brought a lot of joy into our lives. He is still trying to figure out why the cat won't play with him, even when he runs circles around her. He loves his yard and has become pals with the neighbor dog. He loves to go for walks and visits, he just doesn't like getting into the car to do get there (we are working on this, he has come a long way). We start obedience classes in July and he has already learned a lot. I will keep you updated as he grows."

--Tango's adopter, Debbie Mattingly

Tank (formerly Tyson)

Tank (a handsome pit bull that was originally named Tyson in his foster home) was rescued by a very nice lady from people who left him outside on a chain for most of his life. Although Tank's rescuer knew that she couldn't keep him, she wanted to get him out of a bad home and make sure that he got the care that he so deserves. Second Chance for Pets was contacted to help place Tank in a new home, and luckily a foster home was available to take him in. Tank was adopted on 7/2/07 by Bill and Sue Payne and their children. Along with having a human family to play with, Tank now has 3 doggy siblings to run and play with!

Second Chance is confident that Tank will continue to be an ambassador for the pit bull breed by showing how wonderful and trusting they are with people of all ages!

Toby (formerly Kudo)

Kudo - now renamed Toby – was taken from a bad situation and now has a wonderful new home with Gerald and his dad in Weldon, IL. Toby has a big nice house with a huge fenced in back yard to run and play. Toby is truly a sweet boy, and this is one happy ending.

Toby

Toby was adopted in 2008 by Nikki Boswell. As you can tell from the picture, he loves snuggling on the couch with his new brother, Ollie!

Tucker

I can’t thank you enough for picking this family for me!  I get “special treats” each day that help me to run and play like I’m 5 again.  I get to go for walks in the park without a leash with my two brothers, Boomer and Charlie.  I even found a catfish head last time we were out.  It was great to roll on!  I know sit, shake, wait, speak, catch and come.  I wait patiently when we take turns eating breakfast and dinner.  I found that carrots and apples are the best treats ever.  One of my favorite things to do in the snow is to make snow angels. 

I love going for walks and going to dog park.  Last time we went to dog park, my youngest brother Charlie really showed that he cares!  There was this really rude dog that had NO manners and when he tried pushing me around, Charlie grabbed him by the neck and rolled him over a few times (a 80lb Dalmatian pit bull).  Mom was really proud of how both of us handled the situation!  The lady in charge of dog park seems to really like me.  She tells everyone what a gentleman I am and gives me treats when no one is looking.  If I talk to her when she asks, I get MORE TREATS!  This is great!  She said something about a hearing aid?

I sleep in mom and dad’s room every night with my brothers.  In the morning, after breakfast I insist on sleeping IN mom and dad’s bed.  It works better when dad feeds us and mom is still sleeping when I climb in.  I usually try catching a cat nap in there weather they are home or not.  It’s just the coziest! 

My boys are really good to me too!  I have three of them, lucky me!  They take turns with anything I need or want.  I love sleeping in their beds with them if they ask.  I think they like it when I keep them warm.  Actually the best place to sleep was on Christmas day in front of the fire dad built! 

Thank you again for the great job you do making sure lost dogs and cats find good homes.  You’re the best!

Love,
Tucker

Walter

written by Walter's adopter, Rachel Vasquez

A couple of months ago you were working with me to help me adopt Walter, the little tri-colored Beagle. I just wanted to e-mail you to thank you again for your help in getting him to me. I have had him a little over a month now, and he is a blessing. He is a very sweet and affectionate dog. I wanted to send you some pictures of him. Hope you enjoy!

Wrigley

Wrigley, a very sweet and loving pit bull mix, was picked up near Peoria as a stray. He spent nearly 2 months in foster care with his foster buddy, Remy. Wrigley was adopted in July by Anne of Normal. Wrigley now enjoys his days playing with his human brothers (twin teenage boys) and his doggy sister, Rocsi. We look forward to some pictures updates of Wrigley soon!

Zeke

Zeke is a Chihuahua that was adopted by Rodney and Brandy of Clinton. Zeke has five brothers and sisters. He's the.big man of the house, but has share with his cat buddy Charlie Brown.

Zeke is proof positive that you can find wonderful small dogs in shelters and rescue groups!

Zeus

As you can see, Zeus loves his new buddy, Catherine. More updates about Zeus coming soon!

Zoey

written by Zoey's adopter, Denise

Update - May 2009: This is one of our rescue babies named Zoey. We got her from Heather when she was only 11 weeks old. She is now almost 4 years old, and she is the best little girl. She is very people-friendly and loves to play with other dogs. She has 3 sisters and 1 brother: Bailey, Abby, Moose and Emy. Zoey is definitely the most outgoing dog with the best temperment. She is much adored and loved VERY much...