Dear Tri-County Staff and Friends,

We just wanted to take you a few minutes to update you on the lives of some of the animals you've helped shelter, care for, and love who have now become a part of our family. 

Back in September of 2006 we adopted Rusty, a 2-year old tabby tom cat from TCHS.  Rusty quickly integrated himself into our family and made friends with our young sons (who were 2 and 1 respectively). When we made a move to the West Coast in 2008 and couldn't take Rusty with us, he brought joy and companionship to our mother-in-law until we returned to Minnesota in 2009. 

Halloween night 2009 found us at TCHS again and falling in love with a rescued female bulldog named Sissy.  The volunteers that night wanted to make sure that Sissy, being a bully breed would do well with our boys as it had been recommended she not be placed with kids.  After seeing that Sissy took well to the boys and they were calm around her, we were allowed to adopted her, renaming her CiCi.  CiCi needed eye surgery to correct her left eye, and following her surgery she became an active, dedicated, I-will-follow-you-to-the-ends-of-the-earth companion.  She considers herself the guardian of the family and takes her responsibilities very seriously.  While she loves us all, my husband, Jim, is her favorite. 

We felt after adopting CiCi and stabalizing her into our family life and routine, that an additional dog would be beneficial as a companion for her.  We searched and considered several dogs, even fostering a few for a week or so in our home.  CiCi accepted a rescued, young boxer/AmStaf mix, named Sadie, and as soon as Sadie accepted her position in the home, both dogs became fast friends and companions.

With the cat and dogs and taking in one of our nephews to live with us, our home was full of love and energy. Then, in 2011, during one of our Saturday afternoon visits to TCHS, Jim and I discovered Lola, the 6 yr. old, 13.2 lb., Lop rabbit.  Lola had been adopted from TCHS before and returned.  We visited her several times before on March 1st, Jim surprised our family by bringing Lola home.

After several days of acclimating all the pets to each other, Lola soon solidified her place within the family.  She is an incredibly social animal, and especially enjoys chasing/playing with Rusty, the cat.  The dogs have grown as fond of Lola as dogs can, and treat her as another family member.  Lola loves being petted and will hop up and "head bump" our hands until we pet her.  Evenings are family time in our home and Lola loves roaming freely around exploring and just "being" with her entire human and animal family.  Since her cage at TCHS was even too small for a rabbit her size, we chose a dog kennel for her new home, which gives her room to hop around, do her business in her litter box, and enjoying playing with her toys.  Her cage is kept clean daily and is in the living room where she can look out and feel a part of the family during the morning/day before her evening roaming time. She enjoys the attention of our two boys (now ages 7 & 6) and loves having plenty of room and affection given to her.  We look forward to many years of love, learning, and companionship with all our animals.

Thank-you for all you do to rescue, love, and advocate for abandoned/surrendered animals in our area.  Your willingness to give these animals second or third chances at love and families of their own has brought hapiness to many pets and people as well.  Enjoy the attached photos of everyone!

~ The VanGilder Family ~

(Humans:  Jim, Kim, Keenan, Jonathan, & Justin)
(Pets: CiCi, Sadie, Rusty, and Lola)