No, we didn't adopt them from a shelter. Baxter came from a home where he was purchased to be a therapy dog for the elderly. Needless to say, he was was too hyper for the people that he was working with. The lady that owned him wanted him to go to a home with children, so we were a perfect fit. Tessa came from another home. She used to be drug around the house by a 2 year old. The girls mom was afraid that Tessa would end up hurt. Now, she thinks she's queen of the house.