We were devastated when we lost our sweet little 13 year old Shih Tzu, Sadie, in June, and weren’t sure when or if we’d be ready to adopt another little member for our family. However, we remembered all of the joy that Sadie (and Max, the pug, before her) had brought us, and decided to see if we could find another dog to love. We found one and adopted him, but it didn’t work out and we returned him to the shelter in Erie, PA. However, while reviewing the available adoptees, we saw Pawlene on the Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue (NCCR) site, and were intrigued. We arranged a meet and greet with her at her foster home, and her foster mother Suzanne could not have been any nicer or more helpful!! She was very open about Pawlene’s history and rescue from a puppy mill, her known medical history, and her previous failed adoption attempt. We fell in love with little Pawlene immediately……she was just so calm and sweet and loving, exactly perfect for a retired couple like us. We arranged for a “Slumber Party” as a trial visit for up to two weeks, but knew that we had already made up our minds to adopt her. Two days later, Suzanne and the NCCR staff helped us finalize the adoption, and she was ours. We changed her name to “Cookie”…..because….well just because….. Our initial impressions were right on the money!! She is sweet and calm and loving……and is now my constant companion. She loves my wife, but there is no doubt that I am her life partner. She follows me everywhere, looks upon me lovingly, and is very content to snuggle on my lap or against my leg on the couch. She loves everyone, and everyone loves her. We have taken her to picnics, visits with family and friends, and to baseball games, and she is the perfect little lady. We just adore her, and she seems to adore us (especially me!!). We look forward to many happy, loving years together with our sweet little Cookie.

I cannot say enough about the assistance and support of NCCR and especially foster mother Suzanne. They very obviously care deeply for all of their dogs and will move heaven and earth to ensure that adoption matches are successful for both the adoptive dog and parents. From health insurance suggestions, to chip ownership transfer, copies of medical records, right down to new owner supplies such as leash, harness, bed, food, treats, etc. They made sure the process was easy and the match was the right one.Thanks again for all you did (and for all you do!!)

Cookie, formerly Pawlene, was adopted in September 2026.