* Boca *

Amanda found a home with a loving family in Honeoye Falls, NY. The home is in the country with 8 acres, a brother (Yukon) and 2 children. Amanda was yet another unwanted stray on death row in a Ohio shelter when BrighStar saved this sweet girl.Amanda is very happy with her new family, which was also her foster family. She plays for hours with her bother Yukon. Yukon really enjoys the companionship and is teaching her the "house" rules. Her new mom plans is completing her obedience training and plans on doing Agility with her. Watch out for them at some of the local matches. Amanda will never be unwanted again!!!!!

Callie found a home with a loving family in Webster, NY. She will be the only 4-legged "child", but will have lots of 2-legged playmates. She will have 3 felines friends.....well we hope they will become friends! She now pretty much ignores them. Callie was surrendered by her owner who, due to a job change, no longer had the time for this lovely girl. Callie took to her family right away. They say "There is no place like home for the holidays". Callie knew that and is looking forward to a wonderful Christmas! She will enjoy her days loving her new family, going for morning jogs with her new father and playing with "her" children. Just the way she planned it! Now the family picture is complete.

Little Sheba found a home with a loving family in Avon, NY. Little Sheba is very happy with her new family, which was also her foster family. She will be the third 4-legged "child", but will have lots of 2-legged playmates. She is already best friends with Billy, pictured above. Sheba was a unwanted stray from a rural town in NC......she was saved just in time.Little Sheba took to her family right away and is was clear she was not going anywhere else! Little Sheba and Billy even sleep together and look forward to years of friendship.

Zeus found a home with a loving family in Macedon, NY. For this family, it was love at first sight. Zeus's parents met Zeus as he was leaving a routine vet appointment in Macedon. They knew he would make a great addition to their family and they were right! Zeus was taken to a Vet by a Dog Control Officer (DCO) to be "put to sleep". It seems Zeus's owner did not want him anymore and refuse to pay his "bail"...he told the DCO to do "whatever" with him. The kind Vet called a local rescue who in turn contacted BrightStar. Here is Zeus pictured with his new parents. He also has a four-legged sister named Mandee. She is showing him the ropes and around the 55 acres they explore on a regular basis, of course....with their parents.

Mira found a home with a loving family in Massachusetts. There was an instant connection. Long way from Rochester...but worth the distance for this lucky family. Mira was yet another soul who found herself in a local shelter. Without the proper early socialization and some negative early puppyhood experiences she was "deemed" not friendly enough for adoption. Mira has worked hard at learning the world is a good place and is doing well with her new family. She still has a long journey, but today she has helping, loving hands to guide her.

*Rebel*

It did not take long for Rebel to win the hearts of his foster family and he is now a permanent member of the family. They all reside in Depew, NY. Rebel was "dumped" in a high kill shelter in SC by his owner. Rebel pictured on the left here with his mom, dad playmates Nusi (4 legged one) , Tyler and Rori! He even has 2 cats and does not bother them .....well too much!
Mom stays home with all the kids and Nusi and Rebel gets lots of playtime in the large fence yard. Life is full of love for this guy! Mom and Dad spend lot of time with all the kids and also helping BrightStar save other German Shepherd Dogs.

*Patty*

Patty went to her new home in Rochester, NY. Patty was abandoned in a NY shelter with her brother, Jake (below). Seems she was no longer wanted by her former owner who told the petsitter to take her to the shelter. Well she is no longer NOT wanted and very happy to be the only child in her family. Patty will spend her days with her new mom and dad, going for quiet walks, playing ball in the park and just being loved.

*Lexie*

Lexie joined a family in Hornell, NY. This sweet no-name girl was a stray from Ohio, the wounds on her head revealed a sad past. Someone had clearly abused her and put some type of "cattle tags" in both of her ears. The "tags" were ripped out and her was left bleeding in a high kill shelter. Her picture was posted on germanshepherds.com (a popluar web board used by many folks involved in helping this breed) and our heart just cried for her. With a name of her own, plenty of vet care and TLC from her foster mom, Lexie has healed wonderfully. Even after her ordeal, she somehow remained a sweet and trusting dog. She loves to cuddle and be petted.Lexie now has a loving family of her own. She will be the only dog in the family ; but has two cats companions. This little, no-name girl, once left to die in a shelter, is now a happy and healthy family member.

* Freedom *

Freedom went to her new home in Rochester, NY. She will live with her new mom, two teenage girls and a King Charles Spaniel named Charlie. Freedom was yet another stray for an Ohio shelter (same one BrightStar Lexie was from!). Scared, underweight, full of parasites and left alone die even without a name. Her sad picture was once again posted by a kind person on germanshepherds.com. With help from a local All Breed Rescue, Pounds Rescue of Athens, she was pulled from the shelter 15 minutes before her time to die.Within 2 weeks this girl turned into a beautiful, sweet, sensitive, attentive girl who only wants to please. As her health and confidence improved, her ability to learn was remarkable even given the intelligence of this breed. Her new family took her and Charlie to a Doggie Valentine Day party very soon after they adopted her and she stoled everyones hearts. Her new family, including Charlie, said she is the best Valentine present EVER.

*Rascal*

Rascal joined a family in Moravia, NY. He is the only dog of this large close-knit family...but has a cat roommate!. His family owns and operates a local Publishing Business. Rascal even gets the job of going with his owners to work everyday. He enjoys his days hanging out with its employees or in his father's antique car shop. Whether its working or playing Rascal always has something and someone to do things with! I think Rascal just completes this happy family photo.

Tori joined a large family in Greece, NY. This is a very active, loving family which consists of six 2 legged and one 4 legged (cat- Rocky) members. Rocky was not quite ready to pose for a picture with Tori yet! Tori will spend her days home with her stay at home mom and enjoy going places with her new father, who runs a fencing company. Tori enjoys lots of hands to throw a ball and go for walks...life is just BUSY, BUSY, BUSY. I'm sure we might see them around town as she joins them in their daily travels.

*Trekker*

Trekker joined a his new owner (Sue) in PA.He is on a mini farm (10 acres). He lives with Sue and has a barn cat sibling, Peanut Butter, who he doesn't see to often. He also has two other horses there that are owned by Sue and three other horses that are boarded.
It is his own little haven and Sue loves him. He now has the home he has waited for for a very long time. Trekker hangs out with Sue while she cleans the barn and feeds the horses and she is also going to start training him for trail rides with the horses. He looking forward to this!

*Sweetie*

Sweetie joined a family in Brockport, NY. Many of you may remember Sweetie. The girl BrightStar saved from an Indiana shelter was owner was deployed and left her there to an uncertain fate. Well the shelter did inform the solider of her safety and he wanted Sweetie to go to a new forever home...........Well this is her new family ! God Bless Sweetie.
Notes from her former foster mom.........Sweetie went to her forever home today. She is sooo happy. She jumped right in the car and sat on the seat like a perfect well behaved lady. I know she will be well taken care of. There was instant chemistry between them all. Before they left as we were chatting, Sweetie laid down at her new "MOMS feet, not at mine. All week she had been glued to my side.
One thing that Mark said to me when we were discussing people throwing dogs away senselessly, that really made me know that she is loved already is, "Sweetie could bite me right on the nose, and I would try to find out why she did it and work with her to make sure it never happens again." The family has a heart of gold! And Sweetie is very blessed to finally be "HOME". I am very happy to be part of her rescue.

*Jake*

Jake joined a family in Kirkwood, NY. Jake and his sister Patty were dumped in a NY shelter after their owner refuse to take them back from a pet sitter. Jake is the third German Shepherd of this happy family who has made room in their hearts and home for everyone. Jake's new sisters were also rescue Shepherds. Now it just mom, dad and 12 large paws!!! Oh and an occasional grandchild!

Hutch joined a family in Olean, NY. Included are: Hutch (featured center), Tara (13 years this month, to the left), Puffin the mini-cat (23 years old, on my lap), and Frank & I trying to keep everyone focused and together. King Hutch was saved from a Kentucky Shelter.Hutch continues to capture the hearts of all who meet him. He accompanied us on an afternoon cookout with some friends the other day and the hostess was enamored with Hutch even though she is typically terrified of dogs. I guess he just has that effect on people! We also got to take several walks through the park behind their house and Hutch couldn't get enough of looking up in trees for squirrels.
Hutch has definitely invigorated our old girl Tara. They like to tug on their booda toys and race for balls. Unfortunately, Hutch can run and Tara can only gather up enough speed for a waddle-like trot. Hutch and the mini-cat Puffin are still trying to figure each other out, often plopping down on the floor a foot or two from each other, staring eyeball-to-eyeball, as if trying to see who will win the staring contest. Hutch is gaining confidence daily. His favorite morning pasttime is to lay on the back porch and watch the rest of the world begin the day. We do love him so much! Now, if we can only work on that down thing . . . or should I say his "pounce down"? Looks like he's trying to catch jumping crickets in tall grass. Really goofy!

Anka found a home with a wonderful family in Victor, NY. She is the only pet in the family but will have her mom, dad and twin 8yr old boys to keep her company.Anka/s story is truly a sad : but very common one. Anka was dumped in a high kill southern shelter with a litter of puppies. The shelter provided no health care for the family. Anka helplessly stood by trying to care for each puppy. Even after each puppy perished, she still kept trying. One of Anka's pup (Nero) did survive made in out the shelter. BUT Nero's little body could not recover from the abuse and he died 14 days later while in loving care of BrightStar. Anka will attend obedience classes in the near future and her mother even mentioned Agility. Anka after all her sadness in the past, has finally become part of a permanent family. She was so obliviously happy in this picture.