These are just a few of the amazing stories of rescue that come along with our family of animals.

Madison's Story

I don't even know where to begin Madison's story or how to express the overwhelming amount of love that she has brought into my life... She was 7 weeks and 1.8 pounds. The breeder brought her in in the middle of the night. He said that a lady had just returned her because she was so sick and her vet told her that she probably wouldn't make it. He said that he'd give her till the morning on IV fluids but that if she wasn't remarkedly better he would have her put to sleep. I came in at 7am that morning. I walked by her cage and then back-tracked to peek into it. I opened the door and petted her little head, she couldn't even lift it. Poor baby, I thought. A little while later I heard of the breeders plans. I went over to Madison's cage (then Sandy) and told her that as long as she would fight to live I would fight for her. I told her that I wouldn't let her be put to sleep. I went to Dr. Murphy and told her that if the breeder wanted to put her to sleep than I would take financial responsibility to get her better and then find her a home. An hour later the breeder came down to sign her over. I went over to her cage, "Guess it's just me and you from here on out...don't worry, you're gonna be OK." I went to school. On the way back from school I stopped at the pet store and got her a big, stuffed dog to sleep with. I brought it to her before coming home. There were a number of people telling me that I was stupid, that I was wasting my money, and that she would never make it. They said that she had liver disease, a heart murmur, and God only knows what else. I never believed for a minute that she wouldn't make it; they never believed for a minute that she would. Little by little she gained strength. I went to the hospital everyday to see her. I changed her name from "Sandy" to "Madison" because it meant "strength." Finally, after 5 days in the hospital, I brought her home. They warned me that she still wasn't out of the woods and that she still might not make it. I brought her in everyday to be weighed and to have bloodwork to see how her system was doing. She was getting better. I thought of how I was going to have to give her up soon. I wondered how I was going to be able to part with her, I felt so connected to her. I reminded myself that nothing would have been harder than watching her get put to sleep and that I would get through it. Then, on Christmas (10 days after I brought her home), my parents and sister came out with a box and told me to open it. I was taking my time opening it as they tried to hurry me. Finally, I opened the box and there she was; all curled up on her little bed-My Little "Christmas Angel". I can remember the overwhelming feeling of love and joy that I felt at that moment. Today, Madison is in EXCELLENT health and is the most rambunctious puppy you could ever imagine. But when she slows down long enough to let you look in her eyes you can still see the same look of determination, gratitude, and love that I saw that first day in the animal hospital. I honestly feel that Madison pulled through because she finally felt loved. Love is amazing in the way that it heals. Madison taught me that. She also taught me about strength, unconditional love and how to never quit, after all she never did. She taught me to follow my heart and to fight for what I believe in and I'm sure glad I fought for her.

Seneca's Story

Seneca came in on the same shipment with Dawson. I was fascinated by him and the other macaws that came in with him, but I knew that I could not possibly take him home. I often visited the bird shop and saw Seneca there. He lived in a small cage with 2 other large macaws. Unfortunately, the owner of the bird shop did not have the time to spend with these parrots. Seneca never got out of his cage and never learned to trust anyone. He stayed there for a little over 2 years. I would often talk to him and grew fonder and fonder of him as time went on. Finally, I decided that I didn't want him to have to stay there anymore and I took him home. He was SO petrified at first. He had no idea what hands were. It took me a year to build up enough trust for him to let me touch him and even longer before I could hold him. Now, 3 years later, he is my baby and lets me do almost anything to him. Seneca has taught me that patience and love really do heal wounds and that although building trust takes time, the effort is certainly worth it...

Dawson's Story

I always LOVED birds. There was always something about them that fascinated me. While working with Lou and Ro (wildlife rehabbers) I fell in love with their parrots and really wanted one of my own. Lou was friends with a man that owned a bird shop and he was always getting in birds that needed to find good homes. Dawson came in on a shipment from a pet store that had closed down and the birds needed safe places to go. When I saw him, I absolutely loved him. He was so unique. He was extermely shy and quiet. I originally thought I wanted a cockatoo but quickly learned through research that that would not be the bird for me. So I decided to research this bird, an eclectus parrot. I found that this might be the perfect bird for me. I visited the bird shop a few more times and then decided to take him home. Lou and Ro actually got him and all his stuff (cage, toys, and all) for me..the greatest gift ever (THANKS GUYS!). Today, Dawson is still shy and quiet around strangers but he's quite the little Pip once you get to know him. He talks up a storm and sounds just like me when he talks. He has taught me a lot about birds and made my love for them even deeper!

"Lil' Foot" and "Chompers" stories

"Lil' Foot" and "Chompers" are red-foot tortoises that were rescued by a very loving couple, Greg and Sharon Stearns. Both tortoises were born with deformed spines and were going to be euthanized by the breeder because he couldn't make any money on them. Greg and Sharon opened their hearts and their home to them for a few years but when medical issues made it hard for Sharon to care for them she made the unselfish decision to ask me to care for them. Lil' Foot and Chompers live completely normal and happy lives despite their deformities and would have never made it this far without the love and care they got as hatchlings from Greg and Sharon. I am honored to take over where they left off and give these wonderful tortoises a home for the remainder of their lives.

"Darwin" and "Bizzach's" stories

Darwin came from a very nice lady in Ithaca, NY. I was actually at her home picking up a bird when she mentioned that she had this lizard that not only did she not have the time to take care of, but she wasn't sure of the proper care. Darwin was in a cage with no heat lamp, just a heat rock which is often the source for burns on lizards. She had only pellets and some icebreg lettuce for food. Bearded dragons are desert animals and therefore need alot of heat, and they need a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as a good quality of protein, such as crickets and worms. Darwin wasn't getting much of this and the woman was nice enough to let her go. Bizzach also came from Greg and Sharon, the same couple that donated the tortoises. The two lizards now live happily together. Update: "Darwin" and "Bizzach" are now joined with another beardie, "Lex". "Lex" also came from Greg and Sharon when they took her from a woman who could no longer keep her. The three lizards are now enjoying life and the company of one another.