 Lucky
little Bugs has a great home. She came terrified of
everything. That's where she got her name, her eyes would bug
out in fear whenever anyone would just look her way. But with
patience, gentle training and care, she rapidly became a
favorite with her trainers and earned her way as our mascot.
Now she leads the good life as a ranch dog with lots of German
Shepherds to run around with. And a crazy little Shepherd to
chase her around. No need to say goodbye here; I'll see you
tomorrow at work, Bugs! |
 Our
beautiful girl, Roja, got her own home
and family. She was one of the most affectionate dogs we have
had in the program. Roja loves people and more than anything,
just wanted to be part of someone's life. Now she has her own
kids to look forward to coming home from school. Her playful
but gentle and kind spirit will make her a loved family
member. Good bye, Roja. Be good and remember your training in
your new home. |
 Scooter came to us from the Calaveras Humane Society. She is about 6 months old Lab mix and is a fearful little girl. Underneath her fearful exterior is a very sweet and affectionate little dog. She has settled in nicely in her forever home with a couple. She is a very much loved member of her new family. Good luck in your new home, we will miss you out here at the ranch. |
 Lucy came to us from the Amador Shelter. Her journey here was not so easy, however. She showed at the Amador Shelter as a stray. On the one hand she was very lucky to be picked up and brought in. Not all dogs are this lucky and many meet a painful end. But Lucy Lu was not happy in the shelter. Lucy Lu is a mix between an Australian Shepherd, Rottweiler and maybe Shar-Pei, plus probably some other stuff, too. She is about 18 months young, very healthy, current on all vaccinations. |
 Gonzo stayed with us for over a month until the right family finally
came along. He came from the Amador shelter after being
adopted and returned because of his exuberance which lead to
his atrocious manners. He gave new meaning to jumping, running
around and pulling on the leash. But it was all good natured,
in fact he doesn't have a single mean bone in his body. After
a slow start, he did well in school and now is living in a
well deserved home where he is loved very much. He even comes
back to our group classes to keep his training up. Which is a
good thing! Good luck, Gonzo! Be good and mind your manners.
We don't want to see you back for anything other than class! |
 Little
Kelly had many trials and travels in her short life. She first
came to us in November of 2005. She did very well in school
and was adopted in December of 2005. Then we got a call from
the Amador shelter a year later saying Kelly was back. She
hardly looked herself, the adopters had split up and the one
that she was left with did not care about her and she lived in
a yard, mostly ignored, for months. But upon returning to us
she did not take long to become the happy and ball crazy girl
that we remembered. She spend a couple of months with us in
limbo because a search and rescue agency said they wanted her.
But, at the 11th hour they changed their minds so she stayed.
Now she is in her new home. It was impossible not to shed a
tear as our little girl left down the driveway. Good bye
Kelly! We will definitely miss you! |
Jenna
came from an unwanted situation where she lived in a small
kennel. Life started good for her as a puppy, but as she grew
she found herself left more and more outside in a small pen.
Her owners did not even care enough to keep her on heartworm
preventative. But now, things are very different. She is has
her own family and kids where she is remembering what it is
like to be loved again. She is being treated for the
heartworms and being very well cared for. The smile on her
face as left is what keeps us going. Good luck Jenna! We hope
you can come back for classes someday! |
 In
less than a week, Shemp came and left!
He was rescued with less that a day to spare when his number
came up at the shelter. Even though the Calaveras Humane
Society's foster program was full, they had faith and pulled
him anyway. Just a couple of days before Buster got his home
so we had an opening. Shemp came and was off to his new family
before we were able to post his profile on the web site. His
leaving is a little bittersweet. We will miss this nice guy.
Goodbye Shemp, and be good! |
 Buster was passed around before winding up in Second Chance school.
He was a breath away from the end of his rope when the folks
at the Calaveras Humane Society came to the rescue and pulled
him. But their foster homes were full, so another rescue
happened when the Amador shelter took him in. As soon as we
had a slot, out he came. He had a great time with us, but his
Christmas came early when his new family came and took him
home. Bye Buster, be good and remember your lessons. |
 Jack came from the Amador shelter where he had worn out his welcome
through his shenanigans, barking and jumping on everyone.
Second Chance school is just what he needed and he did very
well. In fact he had a great time and worked his way into our
hearts. He attended the monthly adoption event at the Feedbarn
and now had his own home. Be good Jack, and no jumping! |
 Just
like Jango, we had another happy day when Penny left for her new home. Her angel was watching when a
family ran across her listing, came to meet her and they all
left together. Penny got what she needed; a family with kids.
And while it is sometimes hard for us to say goodbye, it is
made much easier when adoptions like this happen. When I told
her story today, a wise person told me "You can't beat the
pay!" They are right. Goodbye Penny, be good in your new home
and I hope we get to see you again! |
 Jango came to us from the Amador shelter. He faced a very uncertain
future because of his kennel behavior. But soon after he
arrived and got a couple of roommates, his true nature and
personality emerged. He was such an affectionate and happy guy
that he brightened every morning. His training sessions were a
delight. But, they're here to find homes and soon Jango found
his. When a family with three little kids came for him, he
jumped into their van and was off without so much as a glance
back. Goodbye Jango! You are very lucky, so make the best of
your second chance. I'll miss your happy greetings and
training sessions! |
 Max left us a completely different dog than when he arrived! When
he came to us from the Calaveras Humane Society he was intact
, very obnoxious and ready to urinate on everything in range!
But as with all out Second Chance dogs, he was altered and
started training after a few days recovery. It became clear
that he was taught even the most basic manners. Once he found
that good behavior resulted in lots of praise and affection,
he reveled in school. Good bye Max! Be good in your new home!
I'll miss your greeting howl in the morning! |
 Puka faced a very uncertain future at the Amador shelter. Despite
going to a couple of adoption events no one seemed interested
in her. Her bad manners and barking didn't help, either. Out
she came despite the reluctance on the shelter's part. And,
little Ms. Puka proved their doubts to be unfounded. She
excelled in school, learned all her lessons and now has a
wonderful home! And best of all, she comes back to group
classes to keep her training up! No need for good bye, we'll
just see you in the next week or so. |
 Amber was a very lucky little girl, indeed! She is a mix between
Bull Terrier and Cattle Dog breeds. Amber was very happy but
loved to jump and nip. Her owners realized she was the wrong
dog for a family with little kids. They did the right thing
and surrendered her to find the proper home. She has that now,
thanks to her previous owners and the Second Chance program.
But we'll definitely miss our little live-wire. Good bye and
farewell Amber! Be good and maybe we'll get to see you again! |
 Here's Que, a big guy that is one of the energetic and jumping-est
guys we had yet. But his change while at school had to be seen
to be believed. Now he is off to his new home, the lucky guy.
From the point where the folks at the Amador shelter had
enough of his antics, to a home as a loved pet is a transition
he made in record time. He is an example of how training can
save a life. Good bye, Mr. Que! |
 Maya arrived from the Calaveras Humane Society after her owner
moved and couldn't take her. Her future was bleak because she
was aggressive to other dogs. During her stay with us, she
found that life was much easier if she left instead of making
a fuss. Then she went beyond that and actually learned to play
and enjoy canine company! She even had a couple of roommates
to play with. Good bye, Maya, We will miss you! |
 Our
little girl Ginger just found the new
perfect home. She is a little Cattle dog mix that is now
living with a wonderful family on a working ranch. She even
has a fellow Cattle dog there to be a partner and show her the
ropes. But our place isn't the same without her. Our job is to
train these guys and find homes, but sometimes it's hard to
watch them leave. Goodbye Ginger and be good! I won't forget
you! |
 Trooper is a big goof that got the home and life he deserved. He was
saved by the good folks at the Calaveras Humane Society. He
was in the Calaveras shelter, sent to a "no-kill" shelter but
was promptly rejected as being food aggressive, a sure death
sentence. But the CHS folks wanted to be sure and sent him to
us. We found that assessment to be bogus, and he trained up
well. He returned to a CHS foster home from where he was
adopted. Good news, and well deserved for a big guy. Good bye
and good luck, Trooper! |
 Tia came to us after being adopted only to be returned to the
Amador shelter. Her crime? Being an unruly adolescent puppy.
So here she came for school and socialization. She did very
well and after some marathon play sessions with Ellie, she got very lucky and some
nice folks came to meet her and fell in love. Now she has her
own home and people that care for her. She is even coming back
to group class. So good bye and be good Tia! We don't want to
see you get returned again! |
 This adoption was very special. Little Ellie Mae was seized from a horrible situation. The Amador
shelter worked very hard to save her and when the time was
right, they made sure that she came out to our Second Chance
program. From the day she arrived she showed us how special
she really was. The sheer delight Ellie showed when we moved
her into our large pen was something to see. When we put Tia
in with her, it got even better. Now, she is living with Bear
another of our graduates. So it is not without a tear that we
say good bye to Miss Ellie. We will never forget you and the
motivation you provided us all. |
 Diesel came and went in no time. He was very unsure and not trusting
of new people when he arrived. But, he tried hard and came to
find a true friend in his trainer. When he moved in with our
other Second Chance resident and saw how much fun she had
interacting with people, he opened up. Now he is off to his
new home. Farewell, Diesel! Be good with your new family. They
will love and take care of you. And remember to take a chance
and trust us humans again. We are not all bad. Just ask Ellie! |
 Flashback was on her way from the Calaveras shelter to Lab rescue when
bad luck struck. She grumped and growled at a dog and was
branded as dog aggressive. So back to the shelter she went and
to a certain death. But the good folks at the Calaveras Humane
Society were not ready to give up, so they brought her out to
the Second Chance program and with a little work she is now
off to her dream home. Be good Flash, and mind your manners!
You have come a long way and are very lucky! |
 Mr. Jessie was with us for almost two
months. He came a little wild man and left a happy and well
balanced dog. He learned not to jump on people, basic
obedience and how to get along in a family and with other
dogs. We had our doubts at first, but he tried hard and proved
himself a worthy Second Chance resident. So, good bye Jessie.
Remember you manners and be good in you new home! |
Smiley is a very lucky little girl, indeed. Saved from a certain and
likely painful death by Margaret's sister, she now has a
loving home where she will be safe and well cared for. She was
very special to all of us and everyday with her was another
study in mischief. She just loved to play and got to room with
almost every dog that came for training. She seemed to know
something was up today. She was extra happy and zoomed all
over, playing and romping with Tina the Shepherd puppy. Smiley
even ran up the hill, zoomed up the stairs and launched
herself into the pool! Now, she is in her new home. Good bye
and farewell to our little girl! We will miss you very much! |
Simon is a happy guy that just wanted to be part of a family and be
around another dog. He was surrendered to the shelter because
he ran away. And no wonder, he spent his time tied up outside!
And he was clearly neglected. When he got his first bath, the
water ran brown for three rinses! And there was enough left
over hair for another dog. When he came he enjoyed his new
large kennel. Then next day we found an even happier Simon...
he had broken into the kennel next door and was romping with
the other dog. Now he has a home where is his a member of the
family. And well loved. Goodbye, Simon! Be good, remember your
lessons and us. |
Second Chance Alumni - Page 2 
Alumni Page 2
