Who are we?

Adira came into our lives as a tiny ball of fur in early 2017, and from the very first moment, it felt like fate. We spotted her on the MADAAC website—maybe we were still missing Rock, or maybe the timing was simply perfect. Whatever the reason, one thing is undeniable: Adira was meant to be ours.

From the start, she showed us her strong personality. Adira is incredibly dog reactive, so much so that we once believed we’d never be able to share our home with another pup again. But with patience, love, and consistent training, we’ve slowly opened her world to other dogs. It hasn’t been easy, but every small victory has been worth it.

Adira is, without question, the princess of our family. She’s spoiled in the best way, delightfully needy, and thoroughly pampered—because that’s exactly how we love her. Her presence fills our home with joy, laughter, and a little bit of sass. 

Our sweet Arlen came into our lives by complete accident—a happy twist of fate. We were told we’d be picking up her littermate, Bubbles, but a mix-up at the shelter brought Arlen into our arms instead. From the very beginning, it was clear she needed us. She was a timid, anxious little soul, and our hearts melted instantly.

Those first few weeks told us everything we needed to know. Each meeting with a potential adopter, every adoption fair, only seemed to heighten her anxiety. And then came the moment that changed everything: Arlen wrapped her trembling little limbs around foster dad so tightly, as if to say, “Please don’t let me go.” In that instant, we knew—she was already home.

Arlen is incredibly smart, with obedience skills that outshine every other pup in our pack. Her anxiety still lingers, but we’ve learned our own special tricks to keep her happy and feeling safe. 

Canaan is a big, burly boy with an even bigger heart. His first two years were full of change—he moved through several homes and likely received a lot of mixed messages along the way. We know his original owner wanted a guard dog, but Canaan wasn’t aggressive enough for that role. Because of this, some of his instincts are a little unusual. He’s not fond of strangers and can be very protective—he truly believes Dad belongs to him! Recently, Canaan has shown signs of anxiety, and we suspect he’s feeling a bit lonely. Because of his unique quirks, he spends most of his time solo, though he still enjoys plenty of supervised playtime with the others. Deep down, Canaan is all love. He wants nothing more than to give and receive affection—it’s just not always easy for him to show it. 

Coco’s story is one of resilience and love. She came to us as a very pregnant girl, her world turned upside down by a house fire that left her home uninhabitable. Her family, unable to care for her or her soon-to-arrive puppies, kept her in a workshop where they were rarely present. With a severe winter storm looming and her due date just days away, we couldn’t bear the thought of Coco giving birth alone.

We brought her home and prepared a cozy whelping room, determined to give her the safety and comfort she deserved. Just after midnight on January 5, Coco began delivering her puppies—and by 7 a.m., eight beautiful little lives had entered the world. What followed was eight weeks of joyful chaos, filled with tiny paws, wagging tails, and endless cuddles.

One by one, we found loving homes for all eight pups. Today, Coco enjoys life with one of her sons, Maui, who later returned to us. Their bond is heartwarming.

(Pronounced Sadie, but spelled Sadé, per Dad)

Sadé was a serendipitous find. She appeared one day, wandering the city streets without a collar, her gait uneven from what seemed to be a leg injury. She wouldn’t put weight on one of her rear legs. Dad, ever the soft heart, followed her for a while before pulling over, opening the car door, and—without hesitation—she hopped right in.

He walked the neighborhood with her on a leash, hoping someone might be searching for their lost companion, but no one came. A microchip scan turned up nothing. Our vet gave her a thorough check and assured us she was otherwise healthy; her leg didn’t need surgery, just time, rest, and comfort. We were ready for the challenge.

Sadé is a beautiful paradox—intense yet tender, spirited yet sweet. She loves deeply and gives her whole heart. From the moment she leapt into Dad’s car, she became family.

 Ajax is every bit as fun as his name suggests! He’s the second youngest in our pack and definitely the life of the party. Rambunctious? Absolutely. But underneath all that energy, Ajax is a solidly good boy who melts for a good cuddle. When playtime hits, Ajax is unstoppable—he can run circles around the barn for hours with his friends! He came to us after a breeder decided he wasn’t the right fit for their program, but honestly, we think he’s perfect just the way he is. Short, stocky, and strong—Ajax is a powerhouse of an American Bully. He does have a strong prey drive, so small critters aren’t his favorite. Since we share our home with cats, Ajax enjoys a daily “nap time” in his kennel for about four hours so the little ones can roam safely. But don’t worry—he makes up for it with plenty of play and snuggles later! Summer weekends? That’s Ajax’s happy place. Camping with Mom is his ultimate adventure, and when he sees the car being packed, his excitement is off the charts—wiggles, spins, and happy hops galore!

 Lovie's journey hasn’t been easy. She’s seen more homes than any pup should. Her first was with an older person who loved her but couldn’t provide the care she needed. Burritos were her main diet, and her weight told the story.

From there, Lovie passed through three more homes. One was always meant to be temporary, but the others were supposed to be forever. Sadly, her special needs proved overwhelming for some. Thankfully, her temporary home was a blessing—they adored her, put her on a healthy diet, gave her two much-needed surgeries, and showered her with love.

When her last “forever” home didn’t work out, we welcomed her with open arms. Lovie has come so far. She’s playful, cuddly, and endlessly sweet. But she still faces challenges—potty training may never be perfect, and her skin issues are chronic.

Through it all, Lovie remains a shining example of resilience and love. She’s not perfect—but that’s what makes her perfect for us.

Trinity is truly one-of-a-kind. We first saw her adoption profile on MADACC’s website, and Mom casually mentioned to Dad that a black, three-legged cat might never find a home. Well, Dad took that as a challenge—Trinity came home later that very day! Her story is heartbreaking yet inspiring. Trinity had been a street cat, likely hit by a car. Her leg was badly broken and became septic, making amputation the only option. When she arrived, she was fiercely independent—practically feral. She hated the other cats, avoided humans, and made her displeasure known loud and clear. Ignore her warnings, and she’d make sure you understood her boundaries! Because of her strong personality, Trinity earned the privilege of her very own room—a safe haven away from the dogs and chaos. Over time, though, this tough girl has softened. She still grumbles about the other female cat, but sometimes we catch her lounging on the lower level when no one’s around. And in a sweet twist, she’s even befriended Grrr! He’s the only one allowed into her private sanctuary. The kids jokingly call her “Pi” (because three legs = 3.14), and honestly, it suits her quirky charm. Trinity may have started out as a loner, but she’s carved out her own special place in our hearts—and in our home.

Grrr joined our family back in 2011, and just like his name suggests, he was a feisty little ball of personality from day one! He came as part of a sibling duo—Grrr and Dobby—because when our young family went looking for a kitten, we simply couldn’t choose between the two. So, of course, both came home with us. Dad never could resist a furry face! From the start, Grrr had his own unique way of doing things. He wasn’t overly interested in the humans bustling around the house, but he had a knack for making friends with the biggest dog in the room. His first and greatest canine buddy? None other than Rock himself. Watching that unlikely friendship bloom was pure joy. As the years have passed, Grrr’s fiery spirit has softened. The feistiness that defined his youth has given way to a gentle warmth toward the people who love him. He’s become more affectionate, more trusting, and more willing to share his heart. Sadly, his brother Dobby has crossed the rainbow bridge, but Grrr remains—a living reminder of the love and joy they both brought into our lives.

Reeses got her name from her gorgeous coat, a swirl of colors that looks just like Reese’s Pieces candy—and honestly, she’s every bit as sweet as her namesake! Among all our cats, Reeses is probably the most easygoing and adaptable. She’s the kind of kitty who just rolls with life, happy to fit in wherever she lands. Her story began when she came to us as part of a six-pack of foster kittens. Our daughter fell head over heels for her and simply couldn’t let her go—and honestly, we understood why! Reeses has always had this gentle, lovable vibe that makes her impossible to resist. We’ve always joked that Reeses is a little “slow,” but the truth is, she just moves to the beat of her own drum. She’s not antisocial—she enjoys company—but she’s perfectly content to spend time alone, tucked away in a cozy hidey hole in the basement. It’s her happy place. Now, Reeses does have one nemesis: Trinity. These two are mortal enemies, and they make no secret of it! But over time, they’ve developed a mutual understanding—each knows the other needs space, and they respect that boundary (mostly!). Reeses is a sweetheart through and through—a calm, loving presence who reminds us that life doesn’t have to be rushed. She’s our little piece of candy-coated joy.

Luke is one half of the unforgettable Luke-and-Laura duo (any General Hospital fans out there?). These two tiny adventurers were found braving the cold city streets in March—skinny, shivering, and clearly in need of help. After confirming they didn’t belong to anyone, we scooped them up and gave them what they needed most: warmth, food, baths, deworming, and plenty of cuddles. Our plan was simple—help them heal, fatten them up, and find them loving homes. Laura eventually found hers, but Luke’s journey turned out to be a little more complicated. We noticed he might be deaf—or at least hard of hearing—and possibly facing some cognitive challenges. Later, we learned Luke isn’t completely deaf, but he does have hearing issues and a visual impairment that makes low-light situations tricky for him. Our vet explained that Luke is a “double merle,” which often comes with hearing and vision deficits, and sometimes cognitive quirks. But to us, Luke is perfect. Dad likes to say he’ll be a puppy forever—and honestly, he might be right! Luke is a goofy, gangly sweetheart who seems to keep growing and never stops making us smile. Luke didn’t just find a home—he found his forever family 

Maui is one of Coco’s precious puppies, born in January 2023. He started life in a wonderful home on a farm, spending his days running free and living the dream. Sadly, after an incident, his family faced an incredibly difficult decision. Their hearts were heavy, and so were ours. Because Maui is Coco’s baby, we had already promised that if he ever needed us, we would bring him back. Thankfully, we had a spare kennel and were able to welcome him home to our refuge with open arms. Right now, we’re taking time to evaluate what’s best for Maui. He’s safe, loved, and cared for while we figure out his future. It’s possible—maybe even likely—that Maui will remain a permanent member of our refuge family. If we do consider rehoming, it would have to be an extraordinary home: one without children, and with someone dedicated, disciplined, and deeply committed to giving Maui the structure and love he needs. No matter what, Maui will always have a place where he is cherished.