Dear North Shore Animal League America,

We are the proud owners of two of your "rescues." Last year, I sent a letter along with a picture of Tara (actually she was our Christmas card). Now we have two beautiful puppies and I'd like to continue the "tradition" by sending you an update on them along with our new Christmas card!

We came home with Tara on January 12, 2008. Tara is a beautiful, energetic, bright and affectionate dog. She is about 36 pounds and a little over 2 years old. Tara was a rescue from a shelter in Tennessee and she actually spent her first Christmas Eve on a bus from Tennessee to your shelter. She has a happy, healthy life and has been to obedience school, has plenty of toys and an overload of affection from the three of us.

We were so thrilled with Tara (and the experience of making a difference in a dog's life) that on June 5, 2009, we again traveled to the Animal League and adopted Tori (also from Tennessee). Tori was only nine pounds when we got her and sadly, the vet said that she was actually 4-5 months old and not the two months that we all thought. Happily, at about 10 months old, Tori weighs almost 40 pounds. She was a very funny looking little puppy and has turned into a gorgeous dog. We think she looks just like a Novia Scotia Duck tolling Retriever. She has also been to school - but not for "manners" - because she was potty trained and obeying simple commands her first week. Tori needed socialization because while she is extremely comfortable at home with us, her "sister" and any company that may come in, she was reacting fearfully when put in new situations outside the home. She is still a little uncertain in unknown territory; but she is getting a little better. Her trainer reminds us that we do not know what happened in her life prior to her entering your shelter. She is an absolute mush and we adore her.

Our two girls are very attached to one another. They play and play and Tara actually "watches out" for Tori who has a tendency to get sidetracked. Every day, the three of us are grateful for the opportunity to love and be loved by these two wonderful pups. They have added so much to our lives and if their greetings are any indication, they feel the same way too!

We wouldn't have "found" them if not for the efforts of the Animal League. The work that you do is amazing. To think that these two beauties were just dumped makes us so sad. If not for you, we have no idea where they would be right now.

Because of you, they have a home, a yard and three people who ensure that they are safe and well fed and get plenty of attention.

We know, with two rescue dogs and two rescue cats that we cannot adopt any more. However, we will continue to donate when we can and we have also decided to give our daughter a sponsorship for a dog named Ellie in your care. That sponsorship will begin in January 2010.

We applaud you and are so very grateful to you for our beautiful puppies! THANK YOU!

Sincerely,

Doreen and Jessica, DJ, Tori and Tara