Adoption Success Stories

Luna: The "Lab Mix" Who Wasn't

The Search

"I took the PerfectPupMatch quiz before visiting any shelters. I live in an apartment but I'm a marathon runner, so I needed a dog who could handle 5-10 mile runs but would also settle calmly indoors. The quiz pointed me toward sporting breeds—retrievers, pointers, setters—and warned me that true high-energy breeds like Border Collies might be too intense for apartment living.

When I saw Luna's listing, the 'Lab mix' label seemed perfect. But I didn't just trust the label."

The Meeting

"At the shelter, I watched Luna for about 15 minutes before interacting. She was excited when I approached, but she calmed down quickly—not frantic, not jumping endlessly, just genuinely interested. The shelter worker mentioned she loved their outdoor play sessions but also napped contentedly in her kennel afterward.

During our walk, she was enthusiastic but not pulling like a freight train. She checked in with me every few minutes—that was a huge green flag for trainability. When we sat together, she leaned against me instead of constantly trying to run off.

Everything about her behavior said 'athletic but balanced,' which was exactly what I needed."

Six Months Later

"Luna is the perfect running partner. She happily does 10 miles, but she's also content with a rest day when I'm recovering. In the apartment, she's calm and settled—no destructive behavior, no constant pacing.

I eventually got a DNA test out of curiosity. Luna is actually 45% Pointer, 25% Spaniel, 15% Hound, and only 15% Labrador. The shelter wasn't wrong to call her a 'Lab mix,' but her balanced temperament came from her Pointer and Spaniel heritage more than anything else.

Max and Ruby: The Senior Bonded Pair

The Search

"We're an older couple with grandkids who visit frequently. After our last dog passed, we wanted companions but didn't have the energy for puppies. The quiz helped us clarify that we needed:

• Lower energy dogs (daily walks, not daily marathons)
• Friendly and social (for grandkid visits)
• Minimal grooming needs
• Already trained (we're past the house-training phase!)

The quiz suggested we look for adult dogs with companion breed traits—easygoing, people-focused, moderate exercise needs."

The Meeting

"Max and Ruby came from an owner who'd passed away, and the family couldn't keep them. The shelter was honest: they were a package deal, which scared away a lot of adopters. But we had the space and the love for two dogs.

What sold us was their calm, gentle demeanor. Max (a Beagle-Basset mix based on appearance) was content to sniff around slowly. Ruby (some kind of Spaniel mix) loved being petted and sat patiently while we talked. No jumping, no excessive barking, no drama.

The shelter worker was incredibly helpful. She explained that both dogs had lived with children before and were used to household routines. They were already house-trained, leash-trained, and knew basic commands."

One Year Later

"Adopting two senior dogs was the best decision we ever made. They have the perfect energy level for us—excited for their morning walk, content to nap the rest of the day. When the grandkids visit, the dogs are patient and gentle.

We got exactly what we needed because we were clear about our lifestyle and needs before we started looking. The quiz helped us figure that out, and observing Max and Ruby's actual behavior confirmed they were the right fit.

Bear: The Surprise Package

The Search

"I'm a first-time dog owner with a house and yard. I work from home but I'm not super active—maybe a couple miles of walking per day. The quiz told me I needed:

• Moderate energy (not couch potato, not marathon runner)
• Trainable (since I'm new to dogs)
• Medium size (I didn't want a tiny dog or a giant)
• Friendly temperament

The quiz warned me that herding breeds might be too intense for a first-time owner, and suggested I look for retriever or spaniel mixes."

The Meeting

"I saw Bear's photo and loved him immediately. 'Shepherd mix' made me a little nervous given what the quiz said about herding breeds, but I decided to meet him anyway.

Bear was four months old and adorable, but here's what I noticed: He wasn't obsessively herding or overly intense. He played with toys but also stopped to rest. He was interested in treats and followed simple directions the shelter staff gave him. His energy seemed moderate for a puppy.

I asked the shelter worker about his background. She admitted they weren't sure about the 'Shepherd' label—it was a guess based on his pointed ears and coloring. She said his behavior was much calmer than typical Shepherd puppies they'd seen.

I took him on a walk. He was enthusiastic but not pulling my arm off. He stopped to sniff things (hound trait?) rather than hyper-fixating on movement (herding trait)."

Eight Months Later

"Bear is about 55 pounds now—solidly medium-sized. He needs good exercise (2-3 walks a day plus some playtime), but he's not demanding constant activity. He's been incredibly easy to train—we've mastered all basic commands and he's even learning tricks.

I eventually did a DNA test. Bear is 30% Labrador, 25% Australian Cattle Dog, 20% Hound mix, 15% Spaniel, and 10% other. The shelter wasn't wrong about 'Shepherd' since Australian Cattle Dog is a herding breed, but he didn't inherit the intense herding drive—he got the Lab's friendliness and trainability instead.

Daisy: From Fearful to Thriving

The Search

"I have dog experience and was specifically looking for a project dog—one that needed extra work but had potential to become a great companion. The quiz confirmed I had the lifestyle and skills for a more challenging dog:

• Time for training and socialization
• Patience for a slower adjustment period
• Experience with anxious dogs
• No small children or chaotic household

I specifically wanted a small-to-medium dog with some terrier traits (I love their personalities), but I knew I'd need to work on confidence building."

The Meeting

"Daisy was at the back of her kennel, trembling. She didn't approach when I first arrived. The shelter worker was honest: Daisy was a surrender from someone who kept her crated 18 hours a day. She had severe anxiety and fear of strangers.

I sat on the floor and let her approach me at her own pace. After ten minutes, she cautiously came over and sniffed my hand. When I gently petted her, she leaned in—that was the moment I knew there was hope.

The shelter worker explained that in quieter moments, Daisy showed a sweet personality. She liked other dogs, which would help with confidence building. She wasn't aggressive, just scared.

I knew this would be work, but I also recognized the potential for a great relationship."

Nine Months Later

"Daisy has made incredible progress. She's still cautious with new people, but she's confident and happy at home. She loves our daily walks, plays enthusiastically with toys, and has even made dog friends at the park.

It took three full months before she truly relaxed in our home (remember the Rule of Threes!). Training has been a journey—she's smart (very terrier-like) but also independent (also very terrier-like!). We worked with a trainer for the first few months, which made a huge difference.

Zeus and Athena: The Foster Fail

The Search

"We signed up to foster puppies through our local shelter, thinking we'd help short-term until the puppies found permanent homes. The shelter sent us two puppies from the same litter, both labeled 'Pit Bull mix.'

Before fostering, we took the quiz to understand what we could actually handle with three kids (ages 6, 9, and 12). Results suggested we needed:

• Dogs good with children
• Moderate to high energy (we're an active family)
• Trainable (important with multiple dogs)
• Medium to large size (what we were comfortable with)

The quiz warned us about 'Pit mix' being a vague label that could mean many things, and to focus on the individual puppies' temperaments."

The Experience

"Zeus and Athena arrived at 12 weeks old. Within a week, we saw distinct personalities:

• Zeus was confident, playful, and constantly wanted to be involved in everything
• Athena was gentler, more sensitive, and preferred quieter play

Both puppies were incredibly trainable. They learned 'sit' and 'down' within days. They were appropriately playful with our kids—enthusiastic but not rough. As they grew, their energy levels were high but manageable with exercise and training.

The foster coordinator warned us about 'foster failing' (adopting your foster dogs), but we couldn't help it. These dogs had become part of our family."

One Year Later

"Zeus is 65 pounds, Athena is 55 pounds. DNA tests revealed they're American Bulldog, Boxer, Lab, and Rottweiler mixes—no actual Pit Bull. The shelter label wasn't wrong (bully breed mixes), just imprecise.

Both dogs are wonderful with our children. Zeus is our high-energy goofball who needs lots of exercise. Athena is calmer and more cuddly. They play together constantly, which helps burn off puppy energy.

Submit Your Story

Have you found your perfect match? We'd love to hear about it! Your story could help others make informed adoption decisions.

What to Include

Tell us about:

• What you were looking for (lifestyle, needs, preferences)
• How you found your dog (shelter visit, foster, rescue)
• What breed label they had vs. what they actually are (if you know)
• What behaviors or traits you observed that helped you decide
• How things have gone since adoption
• What advice you'd give other adopters

Photo submissions welcome!

Common Themes from Successful Adoptions

After reviewing hundreds of adoption stories, we've noticed patterns among the most successful matches:

1. They Did Their Homework

Successful adopters:

• Took the breed matching quiz or similar assessment
• Understood their lifestyle and limitations honestly
• Researched breed characteristics
• Knew what questions to ask at the shelter

2. They Observed Behavior, Not Just Appearance

Successful adopters:

• Spent time watching the dog before interacting
• Asked shelter staff about behavior
• Did a meet-and-greet walk
• Tested reactions to various situations
• Didn't fall in love with a photo alone

3. They Were Honest About Their Capabilities

Successful adopters:

• First-time owners didn't take extremely challenging dogs
• Active people didn't choose couch potatoes (or vice versa)
• Small-space dwellers chose appropriate sizes
• Busy families chose independent, lower-maintenance dogs

4. They Had Realistic Expectations

Successful adopters:

• Expected an adjustment period (Rule of Threes)
• Understood training would be necessary
• Were prepared for surprises
• Didn't expect perfection immediately

5. They Focused on Fit, Not Perfection

Successful adopters:

• Looked for compatible traits, not ideal traits
• Understood compromise might be necessary
• Prioritized temperament over appearance
• Recognized no dog is perfect