Ain't I pretty? Well, ain't I? I got adopted because the kid wanted a puppy. Then I grew up and junior didn't appreciate my mature good looks and I got tossed aside. The shelter didn't want me back, no room, and the family didn't want me but the doc knew this place...Now, I got friends and love and my own bed and I go to the park and do all sorts of stuff with the Irving House folks. They appreciate beauty... Chillin' at Irving House The family I was living with moved and forgot to tell me. Now I call IH home and I think I got the better deal.	They called me Emerald Kitty because I was a gem. My caretaker loved me, I guess, but she never paid much attention to me and when I tried to tell her I was sick, she didn't understand. By the time she surrendered me to Irving House, I needed a new knee, all my shots, and insulin.  Turns out I was a little diabetic.  I lived an amazing life this past year. The people here gave me everything I needed to be healthy plus I got a real mommy who spoiled me with lots of love and attention too! But on March 10, 2010 at 3:10 PM it was time for me to cross over Rainbow Bridge. I know my mommy is sad but I know a secret...there is another little gem headed for Irving House who without mommy will be all alone in the world. You see, my work was done but mommy still has lots to do ~ and I'll be watching. And then, one day, she'll come across Rainbow Bridge and she'll find all who crossed before her ~waiting... Wet nose, happy tail. I was little as a puppy and did fine in that small apartment. But puppies grow up. I guess I wasn't supposed to. When I learned to bark, I guess I was less cute. And when I started knocking things over because I had no room, I started spending a lot more time outside. When I chewed through my rope for the third time, it was decided that I had to go. And, I'm glad I did. Irving House cares about me. I'm never tied up alone outside and I have a whole house and two other dogs to play with.	Home is where they love you... I was living with a very nice lady who loved me but when she got sick she couldn't take care of me anymore. The shelter said I was too old to be adopted but they'd keep me for 'a while'.  The people at Irving House took me in and gave me a forever home... Starting over... I had a good life until the money ran out. I need medication or I'll die. I guess the pills aren't cheap. My mom tried her best but she couldn't do it. I guess I wasn't as important as the two pack a day habit and the Starbuck's coffee. Irving House took me in and now I'm healthy and eating right and getting my pills. And there's not a cigarette or designer coffee in sight.
Tackle abandonment with us! We trained together, and not in a good way. My buddy here, he's the one on his back!, is a pit. His owner figured his size and color would make him a good fighter. My owner? He figured I'd be a good workout partner!  When they got bored, they tossed us out to the street. We were in pretty bad shape when we were found next to piled bags of garbage. Irving House helped us, healed us, and gave us a home. And the only sticks we see are the ones we play fetch with. The folks here think I'm a Champ, but I think they're the real champs, at least they are to me. You see, when my owner died, I was left behind. But not in a shelter or even the pound, I was left behind in the house I was living in. Now, I'm sure it was an oversight, I mean, people aren't really that stupid, are they? And I managed okay, for a while. I mean, I figured somebody would be coming for me. But by the time I'd finished all the water out of the toilet, still nobody came. I licked from the dripping faucets for a while, still waiting, watching the door, but nobody came. I didn't even notice the food was gone...And then, somebody did come. She was gentle and kind and talked real soft to me. She promised I'd be alright. And I am. Oh, sure, I get that injection, but it's not so bad, really. And now that we know I'm going to be okay, I'm going to be what's called a 'comfort dog'. It's sort of like a therapy dog without the work. I just have to sit and keep little humans from being scared. I think I can handle it, don't you?	It takes two, Baby! We need YOU! Okay, we're not old, we're not even sick, they said we have behavioral problems. We say they just didn't understand us. We're active, we need attention, we were born to chase. You can't just leave us in the backyard and expect us to just stand around! And when we're left alone in a cage, yes, we are going to whine and cry! What would you do? At least the people here understand that.  They know how to handle us, and our 'special' needs. We get plenty of exercise and even go to the doggie park. And it's been months since we've caught a squirrel.	So, c'mon, you gonna lace 'em up against abandonment or what? You've read our stories, you've checked out our pictures. You know the people at Irving House do good work. And I know you care. Please, won't you help the people here keep on going strong?