letters

6/07/06

They are beauties!!!. The Kitties are fantastic. It's like having little toddlers running all over the house, they cause avalanches, scratch the furniture, sleep all day and run around all night, eat like pigs, spill water all over the floor, and we love every minute of it. The most exciting thing has happened today!!! Mrs. Kitty never relaxed like Snowflake finally did. She hangs out with us, and loves to play, sleeps on our beds and looks us in the eye and squeaks for food. Just don't put your hand out though to touch her, she runs for cover. About a week ago my 11 year old managed to "catch her" and brought her to me. I held her close and snuggled her gently, then let her go. She seemed relieved and dashed off. Then last night we did the same thing. I kissed and pet her holding her close on my chest, and slowly put her down before she showed any distress. Today I came into my room and found her on my bed next to a laundry basket. I sat down and slowly put my hand on her without her realizing at first it was me. She didn't run, so I slowly moved away and left. A few hours later she was there again in full view. She looked at me as I sat down and as I slowly reached out to pet her she made no attempt to bolt. There was no purring, but was flexing her paws and wagging her tail, and then rolled onto her back for me to rub her tummy. She was loving it!!! I have waited 3 months for this day. We all get teary especially with her whenever we think about where they came from, and how happy we are that you let us take them together. Even if Mrs. Kitty never reached what happened today, we love her dearly and know how special it is to be with her buddies. Lori, Again, I have you to be grateful to. Being their Mom is a privilege.
Thank You!!!
Sue and the whole family

Snowflake, Mrs. Kitty and Mr. Kitty

4/25/06

To all the kind people at Last Hope,

I do not know if there are enough words to express how truly thankful we are for all you do. You open your hearts and your homes to these poor defenseless cats and kittens. You raise them as if they were your own. The reason that all these cats and kittens turn into loving pets is all because of you. There are definitely not enough words to ever express how grateful we are.

We love cats, always have, always will. We have a soft spot for all them because they get such a rough start in life. When we walk into Petsmart, first place we go to is the adoption center. That's where we found the four kittens we have adopted in the past year. We had also adopted 2 other cats from Last Hope in 1998 and 2001.

All eight of our cats (the first 2 are from friends) get along like one big happy family. The Last Hope cats are the most loving, friendly, outgoing cats we have ever had. They are just the best. There isn't enough to say about them.

We cannot thank you enough for all you do and for giving us the opportunity to adopt these cats and give them a home, a place where they feel safe and secure.

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts...

The Franc Family - Joanne, Jennifer and Daniel

Baxter first day home in 2005 and Today

Callie adopted in 2005 and Today

Cooper 1st day in 2005 and Today

Cooper, Callie, Molly and Baxter

Guinness adopted in 2001

Scooter adopted in 1998

Molly and Baxter

Molly adopted in 2005-first day home and Today

4/22/06

Hi,
I can't say enough about Hope. Me and my husband love her so much. I love waking up in the morning to her. She is coming along wonderfully. She has a brother beagle named Baxter and a sister beagle named Daisy. They all get along very well. When we first got her she didn't walk to well. We talked to different vets to try to find a way that she could walk without injuring her paws. A wonderful person named Barbara referred us to her vet and we came out of that meeting smiling. We finally had some answers. She now walks with braces. She sleeps with us every night and when she is in the house she is a couch potato. She goes for her first walk about 6 am and has full use of the yard. She chases birds and bees and is quite content. She runs quite a bit in the yard and chases my other 2 dogs. We also never knew if she barked she never made any sounds. She now barks. A great sound.
I can't say enough about the Last Hope. It started with Linda the President saving Hope's life. If not for her Hope would be in Puppy Heaven, something I don't want to think about. What a loss that would be. I can't explain what Hope gives. More love than anyone could ever imagine. Than there is another wonderful person Loretta who had so much faith in Hope and was determined to see her walk again. All the endless hours she gave to little Hope.
I met so many wonderful people at the Last Hope who I hope to have as friends forever. They are the most unselfish people in the world. They make it a better place to be in.
Hope also has a babysitter named Jane who also is a very special lady. She babysat for her when we went on vacation. She made things much easier for us. There is so many people in this organization who are truly wonderful people.
Sincerely
Connie Pryor

4/24/06

Hi,
This is Hope's mom again. I was just thinking that there is so much to say that I didn't say about Hope and how things seem to happen for a reason. It began when my son Jimmy asked me to call the Last Hope for a dog for him. They gave me Stephanie's phone number and I called and she wasn't home and the person at her home said I will call her at work. I said no don't bother her at work and she said it was no bother Stephanie would be glad to hear from you. Stephanie called me back and said to talk to the "Dog Person" Loretta. I called her and I felt like I knew Loretta forever and she told me about the dog center and why don't I come down to see it. I asked her whatever happened to the beagle that was hit by a car and she said she is here and to come on down. I told my husband Last Hope opened an adoption center and that I was going to see it never going to adopt another dog. My husband said I'll take a ride with you.
Well when we got there and Loretta brought Hope through the door my heart went right out to her. Loretta asked my husband Jim if he would like to take Hope outside for a walk. He said sure. By this time me and Loretta were inside keeping our fingers crossed that he would love her too. I was already hoping he would say lets take her home. When he came in he said Connie do you want to take her home and see how it goes. I said SURE!!! This little stinker won my husband's heart hook line and sinker. His dedication to her is truly amazing. Her day starts out about 6 am for her first walk and ends up at night on his lap watching TV. Her little head bops around all the time looking for him. He said he never changed as many diapers for his own kids.
There is just so many things that are amazing about this dog that I know fate had alot to do with. First of all I never went to adopt a dog. If my son didn't call me to get one for him the ball would not have started rolling. Then we found out the State Trooper has a beagle and wanted to adopt her. She was hit by a car at my parkway exit. I met another wonderful lady Barbara who took the time everyday to just hold Hope and give her plenty of love. She sent me to her vet who is amazing. It goes on and on. She was meant to be with me and my husband and her two new sibling beagles. We feel so lucky to have her.
Sincerely,
Connie Pryor

4/12/06

After losing my cat Sophie after a 17 year friendship, I was brokenhearted and thought I'd never want another cat in my life.

After a few months, I browsed your website after seeing Last Hope cats at Petco. I came across a photo of a sweet, sad looking girl - Pearl. She had the saddest eyes sitting behind the bars of her cage. I e-mailed Last Hope to see if she was still available and then went to see her in person.

She had the sad eyes I saw in the photo and was a few years old. I knew she wouldn't find a home as easily as the other younger, livelier cats and
kittens. I knew she was the one......and she came home with me a few days later on September 14, 2004.

She is a dear girl with a sweet disposition. She still has the sad eyes, but I know that inside, she's not sad any more. And although I'll always remember Sophie, Pearl has a special place in my heart.

She loves her new "Fantasy Brush." I've attached a photo and hope that she will be included in the photo gallery of Last Hope happy endings!

Dorothy Vaccaro
Baldwin, NY