Ayla was adopted by a lovely family in Baldwinsville, NY. She will be the only dog; but will share her mom and dad with a cat and several Grandchildren.

Ayla had been at the shelter for 10 days but only with BrightStar a short time. It was apparent by everyone that met her....she was truly an Angel and ready for a forever family of her own. She was abandoned by her first owner and found wandering the streets of Rochester. Her family never came to get her and when her time was up her shelter friends made sure BrightStar could save her from a deadly fate. It did not take long to quickly unite her with an approved family .......who had been waiting for an Angel. Now Ayla will always be their Angel and never alone again!

Tia lives just south of Buffalo with her parents. No other pets or children in this home yet. Tia is able to enjoy all the attention to herself!! (Tia's parents had once adopted a dog named "Sheila" when they saw her on Animal Precinct, on Animal Planet, and drove out to NYC to get her). Tia has found herself new parents with the heart of gold!!!

Maxius joined a NY family that loves to travel and take their 3 dogs with them! Maxius was a stray that ended up in a Buffalo , NY shelter.

He now enjoys seeing and doing different things...like running on the beach with his family.  Happy Travels- Maximus! (Sadly we have to report Fritz has crossed the Rainbow Bridge).

Rieko was a stray in Buffalo, NY....when the shelter called BrightStar and asked us to take him into the program. This regal boy is very impressive and somehow know his commands in German. He was adopted by a BrightStar member , who also helps with BrightStar's training program. Needless to say , Rieko will complete his training and set an example for all!

Zak is on his way to his new home outside NYC. His new Bob, could not have been happier. Look at his expression and it will tell you . Zak is one of the dogs that was taken because of a Watertown Abuse Case during which 40 animals were confiscated from the owners. [story news link ] When Bob saw him, I knew that Zak was a very special dog.

** Cole **

Cole was a stray from a southern-tier NY shelter. The shelter tried to find him a home but after several months, Cole was still there. Cole was a favorite of the shelter's staff who contacted us and asked us admit him to our program. One meeting with Cole was all it took for us to SAY ....WOW!! yes....we will take him. He joined our program and within 2 weeks was adopted by a wonderful previous approved family!

Here is a quick note from Cole's new family......

Just wanted to let you know that Cole is doing great! He is possibly the best animal we have ever seen! My mother is even coming over after she is done with work, dognapping him to go visit my dad and my mom's friends before we get home from work. We had a Baptism party for DJ on Sunday, and he was terrific! So good with about 30 people in the house and food everywhere. He only tried to steal 1 Dorito left on the table (not bad!)..

We wanted to thank you and BrightStar for helping to bring Cole to our family. He is an assett and we can't remember what it was like before we had him! -Best wishes to you all, Kristin

Neena was a puppy on death row from Ashabula , Ohio. She was one of several pure breed pups dumped in the shelter by her breeder. Breeder had TOO many pups to sell! Sadly, a not so uncommon story. Neena and her brother , Jaxx joined BrightStar. She is now living with a Rochester, NY family and new brother, Chauncey.

Here is a quick note from Neena's new family....

Here are a couple of pictures of our GSD (Nina [now spelled Neena] ) and Rott (Chauncey) having a little fun. He is so big but she is so much quicker and faster. They get along wonderfully, sleeping together if not with us.

We are very happy with Neena. She spends a lot of time playing fetch with my granddaughter. She is very gentle and mostly quiet, especially when she is stealing toys for her stockpile regardless of who they belong to. Dog toys start out in the toy basket each morning but by evening they are all in a pile somewhere else in the house. She's a cutie. - Pat

Sheba is long-haired German Shepherd from a GA shelter who spent her entire life tied to a tree. Her ears were chewed on by flies, she had mange and was full of parasites. She also had a few bad habits to overcome...one being she did not like MEN! and let them know IT!  She would growl and snap at most of the men she encountered. One day while at BrightStar training her foster dad bent down to pet her; before someone could warn him! AND to our surprise she lavished him with kisses. Not a growl , snap or even a sound! just sloppy kisses. Yes, she found not only a foster father she found herself a forever home. She now is a northern girl and living near Rochester , NY area with her BrightStar foster and NOW forever family. Sheba joins their large pack of four-legged GSDs and enjoys her days with lots of love and playmates. She is the first long-hair of the pack!

Hannah was a girl found running the streets of Rochester, NY. She now will run the beaches of NH! and be one spoil ONLY child. Her new parents are just thrilled with her and look forward to helping her heal her wounds. Her dad works from home and their house is near a beach. She looks forward to long family walks , hanging out, playing ball and just admiring her new family.

BrightStar's not quite a GSD pup! Sula, went to her forever home in PA. Sula was saved from a GA shelter. To her luck, she was posted on the germanshepherds.com rescue board as a Long-haired (LH) German Shepherd Dog (GSD) pup, and only had 3 days to find a home. Well, by the photo it was hard to tell and we thought perhaps a LH SHEP? But either way could not bear to she this little girl be put to sleep. When she arrived to NY, it was obvious that she was not "quite" a shep but mostly Bernese or Aussie....... but she was a dream and we were quite happy to help her. To our surprise, Sula was very popular with the online people and BrightStar received many inquires on her daily. We still laugh about this ... for Sula had more people viewing her then any of our other pups! She is now in a great home with 2 parents who's kids are all grown and are ready to spoil her. She will have a 14 month old full blooded Bernese Mountain Dog (120 pounds) named Armstrong to play with and boss around. I don't think Sula knows she is only 40 lbs.

Some comments from her new family:

"You are most accurate in Armstrong's enhanced sleeping ability. They really seem to like each other and swap food bowls, bones and other items quite often. Each seems to miss the other immediately upon the others absence.

Our worry in regard to the disparity in size no longer exists. Sula climbs on him an sometimes hangs on Armstrong by her mouth. We have actually gained additional respect for Armstrong's good nature and have found ourselves encouraging him to put Sula in her place. He generally does not heed the advice and only on rare ocassion leans on Sula. Most of the yelps have to date come from him.

We will continue to be proactive in regard to Sula's housebreaking and believe that she will settle in to the routine shortly. She has been fine at night and spends little time in the crate otherwise.