11/04/2025
Nearly one year ago, Star arrived after hours at our Leslie A. Malone Center on Quebec Street. She was relinquished to the shelter in one of our night kennels, where she stayed dry from the rain and safe until morning. After meeting her, our team was struck at once by her sheer sweetness and resilience; despite everything this dear dog had been through, she was more than open to finding love.
It was clear she needed thoughtful care and attention to get back on her feet. In addition to the dense and filthy mats covering her body, Star was markedly obese – a serious health concern that would require diet and activity modifications at the shelter and in her new home. Once examined and cleared by our Shelter Veterinary Services (SVS) team, Star was sent to our in-house groomer for a transformative bath and full-body shave. While often underestimated, grooming has the power to significantly improve an animal’s health and happiness. In Star’s case, being free from the burden of unkempt fur relieved her discomfort and helped her be her true self.
After over a month in our shelter, she finally found the love she was looking for. Like many adopted pets, it took Star some time to feel comfortable in her new home. But with plenty of patience and roll-over snuggles, she finally began to emerge from her shell. Today, she accompanies her new family almost everywhere, including on regular neighborhood walks, bike rides, and trips to the grocery store – activities that have not only eased her anxiety but also improved her well-being through exercise and weight loss. Now surrounded by the love, care, and attention she has long deserved, Star has a whole new “leash” on life.
We recently received a $15,000 grant from Petco Love to support our essential work and to help make heartwarming stories like Cosmo's possible. Humane Colorado is proud to be a Petco Love partner ❤
