 Of
all the dogs we've seen, Mercedes is the luckiest, by far. She started out by losing an
eye to an unfortunate cat scratch. Her owner spent lots of
time and money to try and save her eye, but in the end it was
lost. Then, she found a way to wiggle through a fence and leap
off a second story balcony. Her owner was devastated and could
not afford the extensive surgery and rehabilitation that
Mercedes required. When it looked like Mercedes had reached
the end of her short life, Alison saved her. She took little
Mercedes, adopted her, paid for all her surgery and performed
her rehabilitation and follow up care. With a fairy tail
ending, Mercedes is now living in a super home and is much
loved by her new family. She was a special little dog that
touched us all. |
 Flash found her home. She is such a special girl that we were
delighted when she found a wonderful home in the country where
she could be happy and peaceful. This poor girl spent a year
living in a horse trailer and was so unsure when she came that
she would hide in her dog house. But now she is confident and
has the loving home and family she deserves. Good bye, Flash!
We miss you and hope you might come back for a visit. |
 It
seemed like yesterday that little Roxie came to stay with us. But it was a month and she did well in
school. Roxie was all about being with people and was always
just bursting to run and say hello to anyone that even glanced
at her. She was enthusiastic in school and her favorite was
the group classes where she got to meet people and play with
the other dogs. But she put a small tear in her trainer's eye
because she is the first graduate to turn around and look as
she left. You have a great family and home now, Roxie! You
earned it. Good luck, little girl! |
 Little Molly has had a rough life. When she
came to us, all she could do was hide behind her dog house.
But she warmed quickly to her trainer and just wanted to trust
people again. Her guardian angel was watching because within a
week she gained confidence, a good friend in her trainer and
left to a wonderful new home. This little dog and adoption was
special and is what this program is all about. Farewell and be
good in your new home, Molly! And continue to learn to trust
people again. |
 We
first met Thor when he came out from
the CHS folks for a temperament test. He passed with no
problem, he was just another dog that no one bothered to teach
any manners to or spend time with. He was very lucky that the
CHS pulled him from the shelter. When he arrived to become
part of the program, it didn't take him long to work his way
into our hearts. Such a nice guy... You made it,
Thor! I wish I could have said goodbye, but be good and maybe
can come back to see us sometime. |
 Our
happy guy Gus found a great home. He
always loved to play and just hang out. Training and walks
were great, but he really was all about just being with
people. He was dropped off at the Amador shelter into the
night box. Poor guy probably just thought he was going for a
ride. But things happen for a reason and now he has his own
family. And it gets better because not only does he have a
couple of kids to play with, but they have another dog to be
his buddy. Good luck Gus! You got very lucky, so be good and
mind your manners. |
 Shadow's
world turned upside down when he was surrendered to the
Calaveras shelter. But his luck started to turn when he came
out to join the Second Chance program. He tried hard in
training, loved to go for hikes and play, but all he really
wanted was a home. Every time a car drove up or when a visitor
came, he was all wags and wiggles hoping they had come for
him. That day finally came, and now he has his own family. He
happily leapt into their car and never looked back as they
drove off. But we'll miss him. Goodbye and good luck Shadow! |
 Mit was in and out of here in a flash. Well, it seemed like that,
but it was really two weeks. What a lucky guy Mit was!
He was surrendered to the Calaveras shelter by his owner of
many years. They said they found him as a puppy in a bag along
the road. But bad fortune hit them (and Mit) and he found
himself with no where to go. The Calaveras Humane Society
found him, then brought him to us for testing. Margaret saw
the heart in this handsome guy and pulled him herself. The
rest is history and Mit got his second chance and now a new
home. Goodbye Mit, we truly hope you come back to keep your
training up! |
 Ms
Tess was with us for a long time. In fact, she wins the
prize as our longest staying resident! That was no problem
because she was such a pleasure to have around. But we just
could not understand why she had not been adopted. Her
obedience was great and she loved to play fetch. Then a
problem arose. There was a crisis at the Calaveras shelter
with over crowding and in order to try and save another dog,
Tess was scheduled to be transferred to a shelter in Reno. We
were all sad when a miracle happened. During a field trip into
town with a client dog, we made one of our usual stops at the
Jackson Cleaners. We took Tess along in the hopes someone
would see her and fall in love. While at the cleaners we
talked about her and the impending transfer when they offered
to foster her. Great news! Then the miracle happened when they
went ahead and allowed to join their family. Sometimes good
things happen when least expected, and this is one! Goodbye
lucky girl and farewell with you new family! |
 Pops was a guy that couldn't get a break. But to see that sad face
turn into one of our happiest and favorite students was
something special indeed. He is a star that just needed a
second chance and someone to care. His abilities surprised us
all; he even turned out to be a great little tracker! Now
thanks to training and special friends like Becky he is off to
a wonderful new home and a second chance at life. Be good and
try hard Pops! Maybe we'll get to see you again in a training
class! |
 Bodie,
like Bear, was a monster when he first came. He loved
everybody but the only way he knew to get attention was to
jump up, bark and run around everywhere. Underneath that
nutcase exterior was a truly nice dog. All he wanted to do was
please and get some attention and maybe a little play. We also
found out that he loves kids! He carried his weight in
school in that he help socialize both Tess and Pops. So
goodbye and good luck, Bodie. Be good and remember, no
jumping! |
 Thunder came to us at the end of Sept. 05. He was from the Calaveras
Humane Society. Since he first arrived he showed the attitude
that makes working with dogs very rewarding. He wasn't
perfect, but wanted to learn and was full of mischief
sometimes. He settled right in, did well in training and
became our official "roommate" dog. He loved to share his
kennel with anyone that would play with him. Now he has a
wonderful home with his own family and a couple of other dogs
to play with! Goodbye Thunder, be good in you new home and
maybe you can come back for a visit or group class, sometime. |
 Ms
BeBe arrived only a couple of weeks ago at the end of Oct.
05. The Calaveras Humane Society brought her out. This was
not only her second chance, but was her last. Well, she proved
to be a nice girl that just wanted to be loved. She was
willing to learn and once she understood the process she made
great progress. In record time, she was off to her new home
with a family and her own fenced yard. Good luck, BeBe, you
deserve this home. Be good and we'll follow up to see how
you're doing! |
 Bernard is a lucky guy that received his second chance and made it
with a home of his own! The folks at Amador Animal Control saw
through his manners and hoped he could be trained and live a
good life. Well, he proved them right. During his stay at
school he went from an unsure scared guy to a confident happy
dog that couldn't wait for his next lesson. And he holds our
school record for the highest jumper! Good luck, Bernie! Be
good in with your new family! |
 Mr. Bailey has finally had his wish granted, a home of his own.
Poor guy started off life in a small pen and eventually found
his way into the Amador County Animal Control's shelter. His
high drive and energy level made him both a great dog and a
challenge to start training. But his great nature can through
and he learned his lessons well. He is very social and loved
to play and be with both people and the other dogs. So good
luck, Bailey! Be good and enjoy your new family. Maybe we'll
get to see you again in a group class or a visit. |
One
of the happiest duties a webmaster can have is to add to
this page. Especially for dogs like Noel.
She is a sweet little girl that truly deserved a second
chance. She has gone from a scared unsure little girl to a
very happy and lucky companion. She was so happy to be along
with us at the Strut Your Mutt dog walk that it made us all
smile and laugh. Now she has found her home. And that's what
this program is all about. Goodbye Noel, I'll miss you! |
 Dino,
our super prodigy dog, has left for his new home!
The stars were aligned for him because he found a wonderful
place where not only will he be loved and well cared for, but
he's also in the country so he'll be with other animals.
Goodbye, Dino! You tried hard and the week you were here was
way too short. But you have a dream home now and it is well
deserved! |
 Little Lucky graduated and found his new
home. He came from the folks at the Calaveras Humane Society
with a great attitude that surprised everyone. His testing
went very well and he just thrived and blossomed with the
training and attention. Every day was a new discovery for him
and he always had a happy tail wag and greeting for anyone
that would stop by his kennel. So, congratulations to our
little Lucky boy! And be good and do well in your new home.
You'll always be special to us! |
 Dante is a very lucky guy that the folks at Amador County Animal
Control thought would be a good candidate for school and a
second chance. They were right! Dante was truly an eager guy
and a pleasure to work with. All he wanted to do was please
and he always had a happy tail-wagging greeting for everyone.
We'll miss him; good luck Dante! |
 Bear lived at the Amador Animal Control shelter for six months
before coming to us. The folks there knew that under that wild
exterior beat the heart of a truly good guy. Well, he proved
that to be true during his stay with us and now has a new and
wonderful home. His new owner loves him very much and that's
all he ever wanted. We will miss our big goof ball and happy
boy! |
 Bo came to us from a situation where he lived for the last three
years in a small pen with a five gallon bucket of water and a
pail of dry food. That's it. But he was such a happy guy and
after all that he still just wanted to learn and be loved.
Congratulations Bo! Be good and enjoy your new home, you
earned it. |
 Little Zena came
to us in May from the Calaveras Humane Society. She was very
unsure, having bounced between a couple of different shelters.
But she was a sweetheart and her personality came out with
gentle attention and training. After a difficult start she
finally found her forever home thanks to the efforts of the
CHS. Good luck, Zena! |
Gunner came
to us after being stuffed into a night drop box. He did great
and left for his new home on Saturday, 4/30/05. He is a great
guy we miss him.
Update 6/6/05 - Gunner and Debbie came to the
ranch for a visit today. They are doing just great! Gunner has
been spending time camping, hiking and relaxing at home with
Debbie and her other dog, PC. It was super seeing them again
and very motivating to see what good can come from a little
time and patience. Thanks for remembering us and stopping by! |
 Nickel was our first graduate in
1998. He was rescued from a badly neglected and abusive
situation. But with love, care and training he left a star! |
Second Chance Alumni - Page 1 
Alumni Page 1
