Peanut was adopted from Cherryland Humane Society on June 10, 1986 at the age of six weeks. She was a German Shepherd/Lab mix. Peanut was a highly intelligent, beautiful family member. Words cannot begin to describe how she touched each of our lives. She was one of us, a friend, a child, and a sister. She was our princess. On July 11, 2000 the horrible decision had to be made to let Peanut die with dignity. She fought this disease so hard during the last week of life. It wasn't until the last day that her eyes told us to help her. For fourteen years, one month, and one day we were blessed to have Peanut in our lives. Though she isn't physically here, she will live on in our hearts and memories. She will always be with us. Thank you, CHS. Without you we would never had had our beautiful angel.

Enclosed is an article on Annie, our therapy dog. She came from the Cherryland Humane Society on April 11, 1998. She's the best dog ever! In addition to working at Munson's Partial Hospital Program, she enjoys chasing balls and racing around our 10 acres. Thanks a million for all your hard work! Annie has improved the lives of hundreds of people! Our other 12 year old dog, Hunter, also came from the Cherryland Humane Society. We'll never shop anywhere else!

A couple of years ago, we adopted a little old lady cat named Maxine - Max for short. We saw her in your Preview ad and fell for her. She's still with us and we love her dearly. She's not too fond of two of our other cats (they're younger and pretty rambunctious and occasionally there is a stand off), but for the most part, everyone's pretty happy together. We've always been impressed with the gentle care, genuine caring, and love you show for the animals at your shelter. You're good people doing important work and on behalf of Max, our Cherryland alumnus, we hope you can put this donation to good use.

The year was 1988. I decided that my dog needed a friend to play with. I went to the Cherryland Humane Society to look at the puppies. There were six or seven black lab mix brothers and sisters, all cute. But I needed just one. Reaching in to pet them and introduce myself, they all wanted to nibble on my hand, which is OK, that is what puppies do. All that is, except one. She just licked and licked. You can pretty much guess who picked me. I named her Nikki. Nikki and Sheba became instant friends. We all had the best times walking through the woods (I walked, they ran). We played in the streams. We loved to ride in the car. We were a family. Through the years Nikki was the best dog. So well behaved. She enjoyed a long and healthy life. She continued to show her appreciation of me by licking my hand or face throughout her whole life. I would like to thank the people who took her to the shelter, without them, we would never have met. And I would especially like to thank all of you who took care of the kids until they found a happy home. Your dedication and hard work is greatly appreciated. You made this letter possible. Please accept my donation, in Nikki's honor, to continue the care of those still looking for a place to call home.

We are writing to tell you how much we enjoy our cat that we adopted from your facility. Her name was Shadow, but we changed it to Paddlefoot, because she is a polydactile cat (Dave calls her Princess Showshoes). She has grown quite a bit, and is very lovable and not as shy anymore. She is very happy in her new home. We appreciate all your help in placing animals with families that will love and take care of them. Please use the enclosed donation to help continue your good work.

Each time we watch our Beagle do all his Beagle things, we have an appreciation for the work you do to find a suitable home for dogs and cats which need one. In the case of our dog, the people next door originally adopted him and he moved in with us when they had to relocate to Arizona. We love him; thanks to you, he came our way.

Thank you for helping to obtain the little Chihuahua for my friend. She has been renamed "Bambi" because she bears such a striking resemblance to a fawn. She is being spoiled and completely pampered. As far as her new parents are concerned, she is the smartest, most beautiful dog to ever walk the face of this earth. Prior to getting her, my friend's husband was essentially bedridden, but now he takes her out for walks. Their lives have been completely changed and now have new meaning. Also, they were very pleased with the accessories you gave them and Bambi nuzzles the bed with her face like it's her mother.

We would like to thank you for your time in letting us interview you. It was a great experience to see the time and effort you put into the things you do. Traverse City definitely benefits from your work with animals. We are very fortunate to have you there to take care of lost and abandoned dogs and cats. It's good to know you care so deeply about what you do.

In March 1989 we adopted a puppy through your shelter. I am writing to let you know that, sadly, we have lost Sebastian to cancer. During the twelve years we had him, he was a treasured and devoted friend, and brought us much joy. He was so beautiful! I thought you might like to know what Seb's life was like, and where one of your puppies ended up. Seb was such a clown, loved rawhides and food! He carried his leash around the house, and had squeaky toys stashed everywhere. He loved to go for walks, and he and I walked about a mile a day. He liked to ride in the car, too. We got a chocolate lab pup shortly after Seb and the two of them were never apart. He is very much missed by his family.

Thank you very much for contacting me about Mick, the Aussie pup at your shelter. Mick is doing very well here and has decided to become a permanent member of our family! He gets along great with my other two dogs (the cat's not real happy, though!). Thanks for taking such good care of him at your shelter, and please keep the neuter deposit as a donation to your organization.

Please accept the enclosed check in memory of my friend. He was a dog lover like few I've known, and the animal world is poorer for his loss. As a longtime supporter of the Cherryland Humane Society (no less than four of our pets were one time residents there), I encourage each of you to keep up the good work. While there must be days when it becomes overwhelmingly difficult, the love and comfort you show to homeless pets is, to them, priceless.

I just wanted to let you know that I am doing well and am getting used to my new life. I like my new mommy and am the best looking dog in the whole neighborhood! Mommy got me the biggest crate they had at Pet Smart and I like going in it and messing up the sheets she lays down in it for me. I am a big puppy at heart and we love to play together. I really like the toys that squeak and like to chew on pig ears, too. We talked to a nutritionist at Pet Smart and got some really good doggie food to help me. Mommy hardly got the bag open before I stuck my head in and tasted it - yummy! We went for a really long walk and I showed mommy how strong I am and how I love the outdoors. Then we took a bath, and you would have been proud of me. I was such a good boy! After I got toweled off, I jumped back in the tub because I liked it so much. Thank you for taking care of me so good. I think I am going to like my new home just fine. I still don't know why my first family left me because I am so pretty and smart, but I know my new family will never abandon me and I have a home forever now.

We wanted to thank you for such a pleasant experience with our recent adoption. We couldn't be more pleased with kitty, he's been a great addition to our family and is everything we hoped he'd be. He's adjusting well, and bonding nicely with us. Everyone there was so helpful and we truly felt his welfare was your main concern. Keep up the great work there!

Just wanted to let you know we're doing great with Jessy - we've renamed her Kall. She adjusted perfectly. She loves us and we love her, too. She's obedient, sweet, well trained for tricks and no trouble. She's just what we needed!

About 10 days ago I brought you a tiny kitten that appeared on our doorstep at a cottage we were renting on Tibbets Lake. I don't know if you were able to adopt him but I certainly left town with a lighter heart knowing he was in good hands. Thank you so much. You provided a much needed service.

We love Daisy and thanks to Linda for helping us pick her out. She is just a super special, wonderful dog. Just what I was looking for. Very well behaved, minds great. Thank you so very much. I have been meaning to bring her over, but haven't gotten to it yet. I will some day, she goes everywhere with us.

I'd like to thank you and the Humane Society for the help you provided for our cat Sassy. I spoke with you on June 17 about Sassy, a stray cat who showed up at our house in May and never left. When I spoke with you, he had ear mites, a lame leg, tape worms, and needed to be neutered. Thanks to the animal welfare program we were able to take Sassy to Grand Traverse Animal Hospital for the medical attention he needed. Sassy is now a healthy and happy permanent member of our family.

Our new friends think so much of us that they had the Avid Friend Chips implanted in us. We don't plan to run away from home, but just in case we get lost some time hopefully the people that find us will have a scanner and will get us back to where we belong. We have adjusted really well to our new home. Our new friends are taking good care of us and play with us every day. We also have the run of the house so we have lots of room to play together. We are so comfortable in our new home. They also let us keep the names you gave us since they fit us so well. Thank you to everyone that helped keep us warm and happy until we found our new home. Hopefully everyone that we left behind will also find a nice home and have someone to love them as much as our new friends love us. Thanks again for everything.

Charlotte's new name is Kitty- that is all my son will let us call her. These two were made for each other! She made herself right at home almost instantly. Thank you for our wonderful cat - we are a purrrfect match!

Heart and Max are terrific. The bond the dogs have to each other is great, but does not compare to the bond my children and I have with them. These dogs have taught my children lessons of responsibility and love and joy. Our bond with these dogs is tremendous. Watching the dogs play is so heartwarming, it is totally indescribable. They play tug-o-war, keep away, tag, and so much more. If only they could talk. I can definitely say that they have made our family complete. We have two children, two cats, and now two dogs. Cherryland Humane Society has helped our family in so many ways. Our pets are perfect playmates for each other and for us. We cannot thank you or your establishment enough. Thank you so very much for the best times of our life. We couldn't have had all this without you.