Casey

Hi Liz
Izzy (we call her Casey) is doing great. From the pictures you can tell she plays dress up with Katie and loves it! She is such a princess!! We love her very much. She give us lots of hugs and kisses, every day. If this e-mail works I will send you more pictures of Casey (Izzy) dressed up for Christmas in her reindeer and Santa outfits. She loves to dress for the occasion. She is the perfect dog. We have not had any problems at all. We hope you have a wonderful holiday!!
Maria Rose

Ali

Hello Liz!
Ali (Lady Jane) is doing good. She is such a sweetie, and has been able to relax quite alot now even with my boyfriend.
He can take her out now and once in awhile she gives him a lick on his hand. I thought you would enjoy her Christmas picture. I hope you are doing good.
We'll stop to see you sometime if we are passing through Atlanta.Happy New Year! Love to you from our house! Deborah, G.T. and Ali

Tuxie

Hi Mama Liz!
I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know how I’m doing. Everything here is fine! Mom and Dad and Tommy give me lots of love and I’m growing up to be a good dog. We just had a fence put in the back yard, so now I can go out and take care of my “business” without having Mom or Dad take me out on a leash in the dark and cold and rain. I like to play out there too, but mostly I get lonely and stare in the windows until someone lets me in. I’m fully house trained now and I’ve learned to ring a bell tied to the door to let someone know I have to go out. Sometimes Mom says I like to ring the bell a little too often, and sometimes I do it to let Dad know that we probably need to take a ride in the car to go to the park or go get a cheeseburger or something.
I’m really getting muscular now, and the last time Dad hoisted me up on the scales I weighed 36 pounds.
My other brother is coming home from the Navy in February. It will be fun meeting him for the 1st time and I know he’ll like me. Maybe I’ll sleep with him on his bed when he’s home and give Tommy a break. Tommy says I hog the bed, and sometimes he wakes up with a sore neck because he has to sleep on one quarter of the bed and I get the other three quarters. Well, I’m just trying to stay warm by snuggling in close! Well, that’s about it for now. I hope you like the picture!
Love, Tuxie

Lulu

Liz, Aloha Liz, from the Great State of Hawaii,
Lulu "aki" Costa has been in our home for a year and a half. She has come a long way since I first saw her with you at PetSmart in Atlanta. She had some minor issues, but she also had such a desire to make us one happy family. It was the love and attention she offered so freely that gave us the will power to work on each one,one at a time. Both Michael and I are so very glad that we took the extra time with her. Coming from a puppy farm, she never had the chance to be a puppy for her self.
Both of us and our other Dalmatian have enjoyed the energy that vibrates from Lulu's very heart and soul. Alley is a liver Dalmatian that we rescued from North Georgia 3 years ago. When Alley and Lulu met, it was love at first sight.
Five months ago our lives took on new meaning. It was July 2005, Michael jumped on a plane and flew to The Big Island of Hawaii to start his new job. The dotty sisters and I stayed in Atlanta to sell our home and it contents. I enrolled the dotty sisters in the State of Hawaii's 120 day Quarantine Program. Of course I had to make sure that I did every thing Hawaii requested (demanded) to insure that both girls would be released on the very first day that we arrived on the Island. Many Vet trips later and many more hours of worry, I received my call from Hawaii informing me that the girls had made the first cut. Weeks later I had in my very own hands the most coveted document in the world. I had my Official Health Certificates for both girls. It was our turn to jump on our plane and begin our journey to the Big Island. I bought the crates, and Delta took it from there. Atlanta to HONO"LULU" Non stop. They did great. They were released to us on the first day. What a wonderful relief.
Living in Hawaii is the best move we have ever made. All four of us are so grateful to have met you. The services that you provide are priceless. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we think of you!!!
Much Hawaiian love and "Mahalo", Kevin, Michael, Alley and Miss Lulu Kona Hawaii

Snoop

Liz, Hey Liz,
It's me, "Snoop" aka "Twirley Bird". I am doing great. I'm all adjusted to my new home, and I'm having the time of my life. My new sister Aiesha, loves me sooooo much. When I want to be cuddled and treated like a baby, I stay with her. She gives the best belly rubs, and plenty of tasty treats too. (But, boy! Can she be smothering). My big brother Amir, is the greatest, we roll all over the floor, play tug of war, and run all over my new Mommy's freshly waxed floors. (Boy! can she get loud!). But me and my buddy don't pay her any mind, we take a short break, and its WWF here we come. (what a great wrestling buddy) and oh, he growls too. My new Mom and Dad are really cool. And they really, really love me. Once, when my new Mommy was out, I threw up all over my crate. I felt so sick, I didn't know what to do. She stayed with me, cleaned up after me, and got me medicine to make me all better. And when I had to go to the vet, I was so scared, but my new Dad held me, and made me feel all snugly and warm. Guess What? I am officially healthy now. No more hookworms, roundworms, or anything else (Whew! What a battle). Oh! Oh! I'm 22 lbs now. Big boy, uh? I've got all my shots too. So now, I can go shopping with my new Mommy, when she goes to buy my food. I can't wait!! Well, I've got to go now. I love you. And I will always keep in touch.
-- Love Always, Snoop

Pepper

Dali

Rosie

We are doing great! I just love my Rosie...can't believe its been 3 months. She's become quite well known. Many people come up and ask me hows Rosie... I finally gave in and she sleeps with me as of a couple months ago. She is clingy..always having to be touching you...especially w/ that token paw she flips out. Alot of it makes me laugh. We still walk alot...she loves the woods...ravines....she just doesn't like the outdoors w/o a human. -- Karen

Tessa

We are the Miller kids, and this is us with our new doggie, Tessa. Tessa has been the perfect puppy for our family. She is super sweet and we have a fun with her playing fetch, tug of war and teaching her to climb the ladder to the play-scape. She has gained 15 pounds in 3 months, but she is still really fast. Most of the pictures we have of her are blurry. It took my mom a while to get the six of us and Tessa to be still for this picture. Tessa is a great companion for Athena (the big, old red dog) and she keeps Athena young. Tessa and Athena travel well on 10 hour trips up north with us. Tessa loved playing in the snow in Pennsylvania. Athena doesn't like the cold. Tessa's favorite things to do include running in the backyard, chewing almost anything, and barking at any creature she sees. We love Tessa very much and are thankful to have her in our family. Thank you Liz for bringing her into our lives. Our mom was very sad when her 12 year old Dalmatian died in September and she says that Tessa has filled the empty spot in her heart. All of the Millers-

Daisy Mae

Hi, my name is Daisy Mae Foster. I wish you could see my new green fleece jacket. I guess a jacket is not really that special to everyone but let me tell you why it is special to me. I was born in a little town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I don’t know much about my first family but when I was about two years old my owner decided she didn’t want me and my brother any more so she took us to a shelter. We were really scared there because we overheard people saying that if nobody adopted us really soon we would be put to sleep and I wasn’t sure who I should watch for at the Rainbow Bridge. Then one day Aunt Liz came and took me and Dopey (my brother) home to her house so we wouldn’t be put to sleep and she could try to find us a home. She did find me a home but boy was it a long ride. I spent two days in different cars with a lot of nice people who wanted to help me get to Maine.  Maine is really a neat place even if it is far away from everything. My new mom and dad made me feel at home right away. Now I have a sister who has spots just like me and two brothers who are all black. We have a lake to swim in and acres and acres of woods to run in. My new dad takes us for long walks so we can run and play in the woods and chase the squirrels. We have tons of fun and we get treats along the way and when we get home. One day we went to the ocean and I got my feet all wet with salty water. It was a little scary. Would you believe that we even get to sleep on the bed with mom and dad? Wow, I think we are very special – or maybe it is mom and dad who are special to let us sleep there because sometimes they don’t have much room if we all spread out big. Anyway, back to my green jacket. In my old home it never got very cold so I didn’t grow any fur on my belly to keep me warm. Here in Maine it is starting to get chilly for our walks and so today my mom brought me home this neat new jacket so that my belly won’t be cold any more. They really love me bunches. I want to thank Aunt Liz for saving me and finding me this neat home. Even if it does get cold sometimes, I really love it here.

Domino

It was over a year ago when I was given the delighted pleasure of meeting Liz and all her spotted babies. I had always wanted a Dalmatian so after days of searching the internet I came across the Southern Hope Dal's and I immediately feel in love with a baby girl. Being that Liz is very critical with placing her babies in GOOD, FOREVER homes; it took what seemed like weeks to convince Liz to let me come down and meet Abby (AKA Leta). As soon as I saw Abby I knew I had to have her! After meeting liz she was convinced that Abby and I would make the perfect match!! Liz was absolutely right, Abby and I were like two peas in a pod. We were running partners, TV watching friends, and even sleeping buddies. We did everything together! Everything was going great, Abby and I had become the best of friends, when one horrible afternoon Abby and her canine pal Bosco were stolen from the back yard, while we were home!!! After her disappearance I spent days crying and weeks searching all shelters and pounds. All the trees and posts in the local area were posted with signs. After months of no word I began to lose hope in ever finding my baby again, but I continue to hope and pray that she is in good hands. I even contacted Liz in hopes that maybe someone found her and turned her in to her because she fosters Dalmatians, but no luck there either. Liz had contacted me several months after Abby's disappearance and asked me if I would be interested in adopting another beautiful spotted baby. I could not resist, I knew that no dog could replace my Abby, however I was most definitely interested in getting a new running and bed buddy. Liz had said that she had a Dalmatian that she thought would be perfect for me. So on the 4th of July weekend I took another trip down to meet her. When I got to Liz's house and looked out back at all her beautiful babies Domino stood out. She was standing on the bench with her head tilted towards me. I believe it was love at first site. Domino is one of the most beautiful Dalmatians I have ever seen. She has to be one of the smallest I have ever seen. At Liz's house she was a bit shy, however as soon as I saw her knew I had to have her, and the shyness I saw at her wonderful foster moms house soon disappeared. Over the past few months, Domino and I have become the best of friends. We do everything together! Thank you so much Liz for giving me my new best friend!!

Maggie May

After rescuing a Chocolate Lab Mix a little too late, she gave birth to 11 puppies. We kept the one female and called her Little Missy. She always poked her head up when I would go to check on the puppies and when I would ask "Little Miss; where are you?" she would push her way up and on top of all the puppies. After 2 years, she developed real BAD Epilepsy. After a year of Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide, the seizures were not able to be controlled any longer. We had no choice but to put her down. She was my daughter, Victoria's best friend. She had tea parties with her, played house with her and even sat with her and read her stories. We decided to replace her with a Toy Poodle. We also had a Dalmatian, Peaches, for 5 years. She was aggressive towards strangers, other pets, cats and children, but not my husband and I. Her aggression kept getting worse so after careful consideration and thorough researching with several vets, rescue groups, and her breeder, we made the sad decision to put her down. That was the hardest thing my husband and I ever had to do. I am so glad I had Liz to lean on. I did not know if the hurt and the grieving would ever go away. We have had a Dalmatian in our lives for 19 years and would not know if we would be able to go on without one. I was not able to locate any puppies so I contacted Liz, previously to our upset with Peaches. I had explained everything about Peaches, and our needs, and went to Liz's house to meet, Eliza, now Maggie May. Poor Maggie was heartworm positive HEAVY, as many are, that come in to rescue. To see a beloved pet go through such a traumatizing treatment as the heartworm treatment is, I have no idea why anyone would not give their pets heartworm preventative. She panted, she drooled, she cried for hours after the injections, she coughed, she had pneumonia repeatedly throughout her treatment, and she was frightened at times as if she wasn't sure herself if she would make it. Well, with my full support and our experience with other pets of ours, she did make it through. She is a breath of fresh air every time you look at her. She can smile from ear to ear. She is very persuasive, she lets you know exactly what she wants. She has grown to love and treasure her surroundings and her space. She has started to kiss me, which is so cute to experience. She gives a quick kiss and puts her head down and against you like you are not supposed to know she did it. She is full of love and devotion. She is so much like our Trixie who died of heart trouble in '97. She, too, was one of the best Dalmatians I ever had. Maggie also sneezes so hard with happiness that she almost knocks herself down. Little Missy and Peaches will always be missed more than anyone would know, but, having Sunshine and Maggie May in our lives and part of our family is something we are so proud of and happy to wake up with every NEW day. Thanks Liz for all of your continued support. I couldn't have made it through this without you and Maggie May. We are looking forward to sharing many special moments with her.

Cira

Hi, my name is Paula and I'm Cira's proud new mom. When I first saw Cira, she had been playing outside all day - she looked like "Pigpen" from Charlie Brown!! She shook and there was a cloud of dirt around her! She still had the most beautiful face and such a sweet personality. Cira is so laid back inside that I was a little afraid she was too calm! But, once I took her for a walk, she perked right up. She LOVES being outside. Cira and I now have our own morning routine - she doesn't let me sleep for more than 5 or 6 hours at a time before she starts nudging me and making her trademark little grunting noises. After that, if I try to ignore her, she jumps right on top of me and starts dancing and sneezing! Then, when I start petting her, she rolls around on her back and kicks her legs in the air - she gets so excited she's even rolled off the bed a few times!! lol I was so surprised at how quickly Cira showed her affection. One of the first nights she spent at home, I was stretched out on the couch when Cira decided to join me. She laid right across me and put her head near my shoulder. I even have a picture of the two of us lying on the couch together. She is so cute.. she's my little shadow, following me from room to room. Now I can't imagine life without her and she's my constant companion. We're the perfect match - Cira constantly craves attention, and I adore spoiling her rotten!! Thank you Liz, for giving me the opportunity to show Cira all the love she deserves. Paula

Georgia Girl & Kitty

(aka Diamond)

It all began in March 2004 when our lives changed forever. We adopted a Dalmatian. Her name is Georgia Girl, she is three years old, with one blue eye and one brown eye. She is so lovable and loves to run. When we adopted her, she was Heartworm positive, we have conquered together with the help of Liz Francis, Southern Hope. Georgia Girl is now Heartworm Free! One of our favorite features about Georgia Girl is the snarling smile that we are greeted with when we arrive home. She loves to play, speak, and howl at times. (see attached photo of Corey and Georgia Girl howling).

In April 2004, we took Georgia Girl over for a visit to see Liz Francis and friends. Immediately, we fell in love with a gorgeous, fluffy white, short hair cat. We adopted her and named her Kitty. Kitty is such a lovable cat, every time you walk in the door she greets you by rolling over wanting you to rub her belly. Kitty and Georgia Girl are wonderful together!

We are thankful everyday to have met Liz Francis and having the opportunity of starting our family.

Thanks for reading our story,

Tiffany, Corey, Georgia Girl, Kitty Matthews

Jude

(aka Carina)

I haven't had a dog since childhood, but I knew it was time to rescue an adult dog and bring him/her into my home. After checking out the animal shelter in Atlanta with no success, I decided to try my luck at Petsmart. I found the nice ladies of Southern Hope Humane Society at the back of the store, and I asked them if they had a gentle, loving, house trained adult dog. One of the ladies immediately pointed to Jude (named Carina), a beautiful Dalmatian who was quietly and happily lying on her bed amidst the chaos of all the other excited dogs. I knew immediately that she was the one. Despite the fact that she had been rescued from a shelter, had just been spayed and heartworm treated, I knew I could provide her with a healthy, loving home and give her the chance to be happy and healthy.

When I took Jude home, she was disoriented and sad the first few days. She was also still recovering from the side effects of the heartworm treatment. After about a week, however, Jude came around and quickly adjusted into a very loving, content dog. I have enjoyed taking her on walks to the city parks and a trip to the lake where she bounded around with her Black Lab buddy Dot (who is twice Jude's size). Jude is wonderful with people and other animals, and I get compliments about her wherever I go. When she looks at you with those beautiful brown and blue eyes, you fall in love instantly.

I'm so happy to have found Jude and to have her in my home. She's already my best pal. I look forward to coming home from work to hang out and play with her. Thanks to Liz of Southern Hope Humane for being so helpful and patient with me during this adoption process.

Steve Trask

Atlanta, GA

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