You think that's strange, there is a wild lion that tries to adopt antelope calves! She's on her sixth attempted adoption. Here is a link that might be useful: Another adoption story

This story sounds eerily familiar... My exhusband, father of my DD, has been in and out of jail and rehab (theft and drugs... felonies... wanted in two states) since her birth. He was released from prison in October... he says that the jail took pity on the "light offenders" like him because of the Sept 11 attacks. Since then, he has gotten back into drug dealing, has not held a 'real' job (except for drug dealing, which makes him a great deal of money), has never paid child support for my child, even tried to kidnap her early last year during one of his "vacations" from jail. I filed a criminal summons against him just last week, because of the child support issue; I feel that if he is out of prison, he needs to get a job. Sounds simple to me, but it really p_ssed him off. He called me, screaming, telling me that he will "see me in court", that he is going to take away my rights to my daughter... that I cannot bring in ANY of his records of drug use, his theft charges, even the DUI's that splatter his record. In our original divorce decree it states loud and clear he has to be supervised during visits with my daughter (his mother being the supervisor... can of worms, she is), he is not allowed to drive a car with DD (lost his license anyway)... these things alone, you would think, would make him stop his proceedings against me, but I've been told by his own mother they can prove that THEIR house is better than MY house because they are married, their son lives with them... and I am a "single mother". This is the state of Kentucky, but my hands are pretty much tied. I have an expensive battle coming up for me, to keep my daughter from a drug addicted loser who cannot keep himself from Jail. All because of the Grandmother, who feels her son is "just wanting love from people, just wanting attention". My point to all this is; grandparents do indeed have rights. Several of them. I have been told that during the every-other-weekend visitations that my DD is at their house, they can keep her from me and refuse to give her back to me. Because, "he is the father, he has rights". I tried to prove him "unfit" last year while he was in prison for the theft and drug charges... know what they said? "he has to relinquish rights on his own, you cannot hit him while he's down like this!"... the lawyers and judges said this to me. Makes me wonder why I work so hard, makes me wonder about laws and life in general. Good luck with your situation, the law seems to screw everyone. - darkeyedgirl

I agree with all of the above, and commend you on your decision to adopt instead of buying a puppy. I volunteer at a shelter, and ours, along with the majority of them, will take a dog back if things do not work out. Though it is sad to see them returned, we much prefer that they go to the right home. Also, my dog is a male and he gets along well with both sexes. Follow the above advice and also read up on introducing a new dog to your home and other pets, the more you know, the better. You are the top dog in the pack, and you must set the ground rules! If things are not perfect in the beginning, don't give up...sometimes the dogs have to work things out, figure out where they stand with one another...but if neither is too dominant, then you probably won't have any major issues. Good Luck, and thanks for adopting a shelter dog!! Jen

What a handsome kitty Dustin is! I applaud you for giving this sweet guy a second chance at a caring forever home. I know he won't disappoint you and you will have a loyal companion for life. Definitely get him neutered and vet checked. You also want to become established with a vet because things do arise with pets that need veterinary attention. You have received some great advice from the above posters, but I would like to mention a thing or two about his diet. Don't be afraid of feeding him canned food. Canned food is SO much better for cats than dry. I am giving you a link to a wonderful website that can explain it all better than I could here, but feeding a canned diet will help prevent many illnesses and diseases that occur from a cat eating dry food. It took my one of cats becoming diabetic to get me educated in feline nutrition and in the past year I have learned so much and now all my cats are so much healthier because of it. Also another fun website you might like to consider joining is Catster. You can make Dustin his own web page and join in the various discussions in the forums. It's a fun group of people that share the common bond of being true feline lovers. I hope you and Dustin enjoy many happy, healthy years together. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can. Janet Here is a link that might be useful: Feeding Your Cat