Madeline was such a tiny ball of fur when she arrived at OAS that staff thought she was a chihuahua puppy. But as she grew (and grew), it turned out she’s mostly Miniature Pinscher — all 9.6 pounds of her.
Despite the breed mix-up, and despite Madeline’s habit of chewing through electrical cords, her adopter adores her. “Madeline (Maddie when she’s not in trouble) is doing great. She loves to run and thinks the dog park is a place she goes to meet new people,” her new mom says. “She makes herself at home on everyone’s lap at least once, and everyone is good about telling newcomers, ‘Oh, don’t worry, that’s Madeline.’ ”
Maddie was adopted last year at Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days, the biggest free pet adoption event in the country. During the two-day adoptathon, Maddie’s Fund covers all adoption fees for cats and dogs, and each adoption earns the shelter $500, $1000, or $2000. Another little dog named Maddie was the force behind all this. She was a beloved Miniature Schnauzer who inspired her guardians, Dave and Cheryl Duffield, to start a charitable foundation in her name.
Last year during the Maddie’s weekend, OAS adopted out 110 cats and dogs, raising almost $77,000 of much-needed funding for shelter operations. At this year’s event, taking place May 31-June 1, Oakland Animal Services hopes to find homes for even more animals. Christina Loren of NBC Bay Area will make a special appearance, as will Blue House Band. Special extended hours and goody bags for adopters will sweeten the deal.
As for Maddie the min-pin, the spirited pup maintained her connection to OAS — her photo landed on the cover of the Friends of Oakland Animal Services 2014 calendar.
“Thank you for doing such a good job and raising a wonderful little pup until I could find her and bring her home,” said Madeline’s adopter. Adopt your own bundle of love at Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days this year at Oakland Animal Services, May 31-June 1. Stay tuned for more details.
