The Beatrice Humane Society is celebrating its 10th year in existence this July. One year after the Humane Society was incorporated, the organization opened the Beatrice Animal Shelter.

Abby was one of several dogs rescued from being euthanized at the Beatrice dog pound.

Members of the Beatrice Humane Society asked that Abby be held until the shelter could open its doors and hopefully adopt her out to a loving family.

That family was Lisa Reedy, of Beatrice, and her children, Brittany, 12, Tyler, 10, and Bryce, 5.

Rita Hydo, Beatrice Humane Society board member said she remembers two puppies from the dog pound that were moved to the animal shelter.

According to Abby's file, the dog was brought to the pound on July 12, 2000. On July 27, she found a new home at the animal shelter, and was adopted by the Reedy family on Aug. 9, 2000.

Looking for a family dog, Lisa Reedy went to the new Beatrice Animal Shelter.

"It was the look on her face," Reedy said. "She was like, 'Pick me! Pick me!"

Reedy did just that, and found she made a great choice.

Abby was only seven months old at the time.

"Her personality just fits right into our family. She loves the kids. She is one of the kids," she said.

When Tyler was learning to walk, Abby would allow him to grab her fur, stand up and hold on.

"She'd just look at him like, come on, you can do it," Reedy said.

But it wasn't always perfect.

Abby was a former pound dog. She was a puppy who grew up on the streets. She was independent and untrained.

She didn't mind being at her new home, but she left constantly. Sure, she would come back, but she didn't understand that she couldn't just leave the yard anymore.

Volunteers from the Beatrice Animal Shelter came to Reedy's house and helped work with Abby.

These days, Reedy says there is no doubt where she'd go if she ever wanted another pet — back to the animal shelter.

"I think what they do is just wonderful."

Since its opening, the Beatrice Animal Shelter has housed 4,328 animals.

In the past year, 525 animals came through the doors.

More than 400 were brought in by an animal control officer, the Beatrice Police Department, the Gage County Sheriff's Department or good Samaritans who find animals. Just over 30 were fostered animals or returned adoptions, and 95 were relinquished by their owners.

Of those, 25 percent came from outside Beatrice, and 317 have been adopted in the past 12 months.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, the Beatrice Humane Society has invited the public to share in a "Little Italy" themed celebration on July 17 at 6 p.m. at the Beatrice Country Club. Tickets are $35 and include a meal and entertainment.

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Information from Beatrice Sun