The Adorable Pets of CSUSM
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These adorable pets help our university thrive by providing love and affection to the people who work there. They are the "AVPs of Love."

If you would like to join our Pet Lovers Discussion group, please send email to Rika. We discuss good insurance, parks, restraunts, etc. for pets.

Those Who Are No Longer With Us -- at the Rainbow Bridge:
Moco - passed away in 2007
Moco was a super intelligent Lhasa Apso who learned to create art pieces (snail and airplane) with wood chips when he was only 3 months old. He was bilingual understanding more than 100 words in Japanese and English and could differentiate different tenses. -- Rika


Poppy - passed away in 2014
Poppy, a Chinese Crested, was at the County Shelter labeled as a vicious dog. I spent the Spring Break in the cage with him and found him out to be a gentle boy so I rescued him. He was an angel who loved little kids and all dogs. I ended up keeping him because letting him go was too difficult for me. - Rika


Buster - passed away in 2011
Buster, a Maine Coon, was an independent, highly intelligent, sweet, and goofy cat who made up games to play with me. He was my best friend, and we trusted each other completely..-- Marcia


Jelly click here -- Ed Devon click here -- Ed

And Our Current Friends:

Benny, Tobey and Olive -- All Rescued and Adopted
Benny (white dog) was our first foster dog, that we had 5 weeks before he was adopted in March (through ARRF). Tobey (tan puggle) was our second foster dog, that was with us 7 weeks, until he was just adopted in late May. Olive (tan & white beagle-mix) is our own dog, who we adopted from Rancho Coastal Humane Society in 2007 -- Virginia.


Joy, Shadow and Willie -- All Rescued and Adopted
Here is a picture of my three pups. I rescued Joy, the Flat Coated Retriever in blue, from the Escondido Humane Society 7 years ago, Shadow, the Gordon Setter in green was relinquished to a Gordon Setter rescue group in summer of 2004 as a puppy and I brought him home, and Willie, the Malti-Poo, was relinquished to me as a pup two years ago. They are all wonderful, beautiful souls, and a big part of our family, We love them with all our hearts. -- Lynn


Buddy and Gertie -- Both Rescued and Adopted
We adopted Buddy in March 2009 as a puppy after he was turned in by people who could not handle his energy. We adopted Gertie at 3 years old the following summer to be Buddy's friend, both from Animal Rescue Kompany (ARK). Buddy is now 120 lbs but still insists on sitting on his family's laps. Gertie was skittish at first, having been given up twice before, but is now warm and loving and just so happy to be part of our family. -- Becky


Chika
Chika was found in my horse's pasture the night of 09/11/2010 as it grew dark and coyotes were closing in. -- Andi


Blue
My sister gave Blue to my daughter as a birthday gift seven years ago. Blue is a 22 lbs. orange tabby that is affectionate and intelligent and enjoys playing hide-and-seek with us. -- Lourdes


Kitties - Saved and Adopted
A year ago, two stray pregnant cats came into my life. Within three weeks, one gave birth to three brothers and the other gave birth to seven kittens - 3 males and 4 females. All the kittens are in forever homes and the two moms, now SPAYED, live with me. Happy ending to a surprise and wild beginning! -- Jennifer


Molly and Daisy
Molly is a full breed Maltese. She was a gift from my niece. She is our first born and the smallest of the two. She weighs 7 pounds and is 10 years old. She was born on my Dad's birthday. Daisy is a Maltese and Bishon (spelling?) mix. She is a birthday gift from my husband. Daisy weighs 9 pounds and will turn 5 years this June 13----my Mom's birthday. -- Lorena
Molly Daisy

Maggie click here -- Ed Gus click here -- Ed

Turk He is shown fresh from the groomers in his very happy home! He was such a good dog at the groomers that he got his own new panda bear as a reward! I just love him and miss him dearly, but this photo and may others show just how lucky Turk is! -- Lupe


Sophie and Brian These babies are keeping our Senate angel Marcia busy but happy.


Aine, Sorcha, Kieran and Talulah Aine and Sorcha are sisters, 10 years old, and a mix of coonhound, yellow lab, and Rhodesian ridgeback. Kieran is our new baby and he is six months old, Australian Shepherd/golden retriever. Talulah is our very feisty, one year old tabby who is very attached to the girls. She has made it very clear that she is the boss! haha -- Laurie


Special Stories:
Rusty (passed away in 2016)
Rusty is a true loyal gentleman. He respected even a small handler like me. But because of his age, he was not adopted. He was rescued from the County Shelter and placed at a pet hotel for over a year. He never complained. Recently, he was finally adopted and we hope that he will enjoy the last few years of his life.


Chloe and Titan
Chloe is a white chihuahua who was rescued at the same time as my Poppy. She is so gentle and friendly to all other dogs that I called her "a therapy dog for dogs." Titan is an energetic Pit Bull mix. This young boy needed a calming influence and that is exactly what Chloe was able to provide. They have been adopted together and they are in love, spending every day together in each others' legs.