Finding Hunter
After we lost our precious Daisy who had "adopted" us 18 months earlier, we began to search for another companion to join our extended family which included three human children, two canine children, and one feline child. That's when we found Hunter. He was at an animal shelter. When we visited him, it was immediate love. He bonded with us, kennel cough and all. That first night, he slept in my arms in a lounge chair. I spent the night wiping his runny nose, calming him so his cough would settle, and soothing what I knew was a high fever. The next morning we at the vet when it opened. We nursed him back to health, and made him a permanent part of our family. His favorite: our four year old, paws down! Nap and night time often finds the two of them under my favorite afghan, stretched out on the couch. Or curled up on the dog bed. Our children do not leave the yard without him or the other two dogs. He is relentless in his protection and unquestioning love. What has he done for me? I love him dearly, and he has eased the pain of Daisy's passing. Through Hunter, our family has vowed that we never again get a dog unless we adopt from a shelter. He is one big chocolate fur ball of love.
Susan - 05/29/2008
dino40@bellsouth.net

Katy is a wonderful but a little challenged in the looks dept. I rescued Katy in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.. My first sighting of her was a bald mangy flea ridden dog. because of the curfew I had to keep Katy with me for the night at the home I was going to be staying. I stayed outside with Katy while the neighbor who had volunteered her house to use and had fed Katy in the past went to shower because of the mange risk. Katy had been a stray for at least 2 years prior to the hurricane. because of her looks they neighbors fed her but never turned her into the LASPCA for fear that Katy would be PTS. The neighbors never saw Katy as she never came out in the day light but they continued to feed her.
When I rescued Katy I was already over the city limit here in Montana for the number of dogs. I told her that. But Katy wouldn't listen and for her it was love at first sight. Where ever I went that morning, Katy would pull whomever was holding her leash right to me. When I left the rescue station she wailed at the top of her lungs for 2 hours. After the second trip to the rescue station the kennel leaders asked me not to get out of the car because she would wail 2 hours after I left. Non of the rescuers could get her to come out of her kennel. When I returned after dark Katy was super happy to see me. I couldn't take Katy to Montana because of the mange and also because I was sure she had HW after living on the street so long and a call to my vet confirmed that we didn't have the HW meds here. So Sadly I loaded Katy onto the semi,. In fact I helped load the whole semi of rescued animals just so that Katy wouldn't wail. I had put my name and phone number on her intake sheets and wrapped her kennel in a big sheet that I had brought from home with my name on it. As she was the last dog near the door I promised her that I would help her and bring her to Montana.
I spent 2 1/2 month, about 50 phone calls and 500 emails looking for the dog I had promised to help. I finally found her at a shelter in AL. After hearing her s and a confirmation letter from Robbi the lady in NOLA they agreed to let me adopt her. Two weeks weeks before her 90 day hold was up. I spent a week trying to arrange her trip to Montana still not sure what I would do with a semi feral dog in a house with 25 other critters most of whom are disabled. It was trying at first because Katy had never lived with cats, Birds or wild animals that are here in rehab before let alone lived full time in a house. On top of that she had severe scaring due to the years of mange and ringworm and it was winter in Montana. So Katy learned that Jan in Montana you have to wear clothes.
Katy has lived with me and lots of other critters since Jan of 06. Despite her looks that scare most people she has touched every ones heart that has looked past her looks. She is loved by many and their rule is that Katy can do what ever Katy wants because she special. My words are no she can cuz she is getting very spoilt.
We still stay in touch with Robbi in NOLA and the foster home in Al that had her. They all worried when Katy had 2 surgeries to have mammary tumors removed and again after they grew back. Actually Katy gets more presents and mail then I do :)
I worried that I may have been doing the wrong thing by removing her from the only life she knew and forcing her to live with people during the time I had lost her.
But within an hour of me picking her up at the airport I could tell that I had made the right choice
Here is a pic of Katy and I a few days after I got her back in Jan of 06
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/snickers/me%20pics/snickersandKaty2.jpg
Allison - 05/25/2008
troubledboots@yahoo.com

I found my dog when she ran in front of my car while I was driving a friend home. Scared, hungrey, flea ridden, she kept us at bay for a half an hour under a parked car while we tried to figure out how to get her out. Finally remembering a towel I had in my car, I grabbed it and threw it over her head, and pulled her from under the parked car. I drove her immediately to the vet. She was in fairly good shape, though infested with fleas. Clearly abused, she cowered from the vet and I while he examined her. Her teeth rotted out of the right side of her jaw where her tongue was sticking out. I thought she was dehydrated. I had her bathed and the fleas taken care of, fully expecting to just find her a good home. But when I went to pick her up from her grooming, she was so happy to see me her whole body shook as she enthusiastically wagged her tail. I immediately fell in love and named her Jane Doe. It took time and patience to get her to the point where she doesn't automatically cower from me. Though if I move too quickly near her she still drops her head. It took a year and a half before she would walk down a flight of stairs. She would bark and pull away from them, leading me to believe she may have been thrown down some stairs. She still flinches around strangers. But six years later, she is my best friend and shows me such unconditional love, that I can't even remember my life before her.
JD's mom - 04/20/2007
hzleyes@sbcglobal.net

i was on my way to go shopping when all of a sudden a black toy poodle puppy crooses the street luckily we didn't run over her we put up flyers then a few months later nobody clamed her so we kept her aand name her Shakira now she lives in austell ,ga in apartments we go to the tennis court every day and she runs around like crazy
carolina - 01/20/2007
andygerard@bellsouth.net

I was able to adopt Sadie from the dog warden. She was a three month old Rottweiler picked up wandering the streets and had steel stiches accross her throat. She is seven now and is a loving and wonderful companion.
When outside with the grandchildren, she stays at their side the entire time, watching over them! We have been blessed!
Connie - 01/05/2007
clpearce@sbcglobal.net

Seven years ago, I was a different person, with a fast pace lifestyle, and little time to care for anything else. I recently had a bad break up and decided to throw myselft into work and only focus on my career. The last thing I wanted was another four legged companion that would slow me down... especially a dog (I was a cat person). However, the powers that be, decided I needed something in my life and brought me to that fateful day of meeting my soul mate.
I recieved a call from an aquantance who worked at an animal hosptial, letting me know
they found a dog at a grade school, who was playing with the children on the play ground. When the students went inside, he plopped down in front of the school waiting for them to come back. According to the teachers and principal, the dog wasn't claimed by any of the students or parents, so they called the vet to see if he could find a home for the dog. The clinic searched for 3 weeks, via newspaper, flyers, internet and even contacted local shelters to locate the owners, but no one responded. They called me because they knew I lived alone and thought I could use the company. I was reluctant at first, but finally agreed to go see the dog.I wasn't expecting to be knocked over with love upon our first meeting, however I was curious to see what he was like.
When he first walked out of that kennel, he walked straight up to me and sat down in front of me, with his "good boy" face. His long golden hair and big brown eyes, knocked my socks off. I couldn't believe how beautiful and well manored he was. Our connection was immediate and we couldn't stop peeking at one another.
It was obiovous that he had not eatten for a very long time, and survived on whatever he could find. It was so clear to me that this boy was mine to take care of and love more than anything in the world. Skamber is my best friend, and my entire life and world has changed because of him. I can't imagine my life without him.
We've spent the last 7 years together and every day has been a new experience with him, some more than others, but still a new day brings a new wonderful Skamber day!
Genny - 12/27/2006
skamber7011@hotmail.com

Buddy the beagle.. My brother was raised in upstate NY and our family has always had animals and a dog. In 1997, Ben moved to Los Angeles, CA for a wonderful business opportunity. Although, there alone with no immediate family, he wanted companionship and missed having a dog.
Buddy (a wonderful beagle) came into his life. Buddy was a rescue who was found in a storage facility. His original owner left him in a storage bldg (where belongings are kept) with no food, water or light. Buddy howled and howled to get help. He was there almost one week before someone heard him. The owner of the storage facility didn't know what to do w/him, so he brought him to the dog pound. Buddy was adopted several times however was brought back to the pound each time as the new owners didn't like him howling (that is what beagles do, they howl!!).
Anyway, Ben wanted a dog and took one look at Buddy (his eyes abit protuded from all the howling and barking while in the dark,cold storage facility) he knew he was his and brought him home. Buddy loves his FOREVER HOME with Ben, his friend, buddy and pal. He loves playing fetch, long walks, treats and has a huge appetite.. Ben rescued another dog name Cooper, his previous owner rescued him from the the LA pound only the owner made no time for Cooper. He worked 12-18 hour days at a new, LA gym and couldn not care for Cooper. Ben adopted Cooper. Buddy & Cooper are inseparable, they get upset if they're separated and even sleep near each other. They protect each other from other dogs in dog park who may try to start a fight with them. They give lots of love and are well behaved. They love Ben and I am sure they know they are loved & cared for. They're not just pets, they are Ben's family.
Lisa Laurro - 12/18/2006
llaurro@midwest-fac.com

When my son was about 8 years old we were down to one dog after many years of at least 2 big German Shepherds and sometimes a toy breed inherated from family members making a life change move.
I was feeling good about a reduction in hairy bodies messing up the carpets when my neighbor, Judy called to say that her Dad found a long haired German Shepherd in the middlle of a city street island. He did the right thing and brought him to a family he knew had a fenced in yard. They advertized him as "found" but no reply. Since they had a dog, they could not keep him in their small back yard. Both dogs were swimming in their inground pool when we stopped by to "just look". My husband and I both spotted a cowlick down the center of his nose which reminded us of another Shepherd we had and so my husband was in love at first sight.
The familie's two boys had named him "Face" in that week they had him. Face was a character on the TV show A-Team named for the actor's handsome looks. It fit this dog to a "T".
As we drove home, my son said," What are we going to name him?" My reply seemed obvious. I mentioned that I thought he was well named for his beautiful face, he was just getting used to that name and my son loved the TV show as well. So we would keep it. My son started to tear up and said: "But I don't want a dog named "Face"! "
Well, he got over it really fast. Face lived with us at least 10 years and the story has been retold many times. He was a great dog!
Heidi Fedorowich - 12/12/2006
Edfj@aol.com

my dog was fount by a famley friend. pebbles was walking the streets so monty brought her to us she was 9 years of age when we got her she was so excited to meet us she was supose to stay out side that was the only way we was going to keep her but she came right in one stormy night and we relized how much we loved her and we started taking her to the vet to get shouts and every thing anout 3 years later I went to a Casting Crowns concert and while I was gone my dad noticed Pebbles did not want to move she just lyed there right beside the door and mom noticed that her belly was swoolen they toke her to the vet and mom came and got me and my sister when we got there dad was out side and said she died before the x-rays of inside her stomach even came back the vet said they was going to go a head and see couse of death and the next day they called and said she had a toumer the size 3 golf balls and we could come and barry her and they had her in a little calfine and every thing my dad drove around for a little bit becouse Pebbles loved riding in the car then we toke her to my uncle ronnies house and barried her she would 14 years old .
myra yates - 12/12/2006
myra_ty@hotmail.com

It literally was a dark and stormy night. My husband came home from
walking our (rescued) Golden Retriever/Husky cross with a terribly thin young Golden Retriever who had followed him home. He was missing most of his fur; the rusty chain on his neck had worn away the skin, leaving his neck bleeding. Apparently, he had struggled free from his chain. We never
knew how long he had been on the street but he had been starved for a long
time. The vet said that he had been kept in a concrete yard with no shelter, which was why his skin was inflamed and his fur missing in big patches. We named him Baxter, and he was the sweetest dog I have ever known. He loved everyone, and everyone loved him. When he woke up in the morning, he would
go into wriggling fits of ecstasy because he was so happy to be alive and to have a
home where people loved him. Baxter lived to be 14 years old. We have two
wonderful rescued dogs now who I love very much, but Baxter was the dog love
of my life.
>
Ann Mintz - 10/16/2006
annmintz@mindspring.com

It was July 4th, 2003, and as I was driving home, I was amazed at the fireworks lighting up the night sky. As I came to a stop in the road, something caught my eye from the ditch. I jumped out of my truck for a closer look, and it was a small dog cowering because of the loud booming noises. I could see his ribs becuase he was so skinny. Immediatley my heart went out to this poor dog. I snatched him out if the ditch, put him in my truck and took him home with me. On the ride home, all he did was lay in the front seat, shaking. Once I got home, I quickly noticed that he was very afraid of me petting his head. He would shy away and hide in the corner. All I could do was love on him. I decided he needed a bath, which he didn't mind to my surprise. He quickly ate the food I gave him, despite all his missing teeth.
I put up flyers in my neightborhood, and no one came forward to claim this little dog. After a couple days, this little guy didn't want to be left alone. He follwed me wherever I went, and would make me laugh because he would bring his food bowl to where everyone was when he was hungry.
We were in the computer room, and he was sitting under my chair, and I started caling out names for this dog. I tried George. Nothing. Spot(because he has a big brown spot on his all white body). Still nothing. I tried atleast five different names. Then, I said Buddy Lee, and his tail started wagging 90 to nothing. It was hilarious. So, I tried more names, which had zero impact. Then I said Buddy Lee again, and his tail started wagging. So, my new liitle dog's name became Buddy Lee.
The next day I took him to the vet, and discovered that he had heart worms. Of course I paid for the treatments to cure him, but it took several months.
Six years later, Buddy Lee is the best dog I could have ever asked for. He still follows me everywhere and is much heavier than when I first found him. He is great with my nieces and nephews. Everyone who meets him falls in love. It's a true rags to riches story for my Buddy Lee.
Ginny Rosario - 10/13/2006
england20@hotmail.com

I got my first dog when I was 55 years old. I'd always been a cat person and the sudden need for a dog took me completely by surprise. I found myself the guardian of an 18 week old toy poodle who was on clearance at a pet store. We weathered his first few months at home and soon we both knew that he needed a companion.
I started looking at Petfinder.com and went to the local shelter that I'd heard often had smaller dogs. I filled out online adoption applications and never heard back. The shelter people told me that if I took one of their animals it would be without Buddy meeting the new dog and, in fact, he would have to be sent away for the first two weeks the newbie was in our home. That didn't make sense to me since the new dog was going to be Buddy's companion as well as mine. He was still a timid little fellow and I wanted the "right" friend for both of us.
Time went on.
When Buddy was 11 months old I was visiting at my friend Roz's house when she got a phone call from her friend Joe. Joe was taking care of a dog for his friend Robert who was away on a business trip. Robert had gotten the dog when she had been abandoned in an apartment for five days when her third owner went to jail.
Joe told Roz that the dog was harassing his cats and asked if she would keep her until Robert returned the following week. Roz said she would.
When Roz got off the phone, she told me the story and said I should go with her to her friend Linda's the next day to meet Joe whom I heard so much about. I said I'd go with her and we set up a time.
Roz and I drove down to Linda's with both of our dogs, Pappy and Buddy. The dogs are great friends and were happily exploring LInda's house when Joe arrived with Hope whom he said was a 3 year old Shih Tzu. As soon as Hope came in she ran to Buddy as if they were long lost siblings and off they went. They played together all day long and by the time we were leaving Roz told me that obiously Hope was going to stay with me for the week rather than with her. I was delighted to take her.
Buddy and Hope had a glorious week wrestling, running, sharing toys and going to the dog park. Hope ran like the wind as if she had never been off leash. Buddy kept right up with her. He never let her out of his sight.
And I was in love with her. It was clear to me that she was a Lhasa and not a Shih Tzu. She has the most beautiful big brown eyes and lashes any woman would die for.
The day before she was to go back I called Roz and told her that I really wanted to keep her. Joe had told us that Robert worked 12 hours a day and traveled a lot for work so Hope was being handed off to friends and family all the time. She was desparately in need of grooming when I got her and I had her groomed during the week I had her so she would be more comfortable. I couldn't imagine giving her up.
Roz called Joe and Joe said he had to return her as she wasn't his dog, but he would talk with Robert about letting me have her. With a broken heart I took her to Roz's that Sunday and Joe came and picked her up. I was sure I would never see her again.
Roz faithfully called Joe every couple of days to see if he had talked with Robert. Robert had gone out of town four days after Hope went back to him and left her with someone else again. I was distraught.
Two weeks later came the call, Robert was willing to let me have Hope, but I had to take her the next day. I was joyous and said I would be there.
When Hope came into Roz's house the next night, she first ran to Buddy and then jumped into my lap. Except for the eight hours she was at the vet's to get spayed, Buddy and Hope have not been apart since. It will be four years on September 28th and she continues to be the most wonderful dog. She loves Buddy to death, gets along fine with the cats that have shown up along the way and sleeps curled up next to my pillow every night. I cannot imagine life without her.
I thank God for my found dog.
Lois Levy - 09/03/2006
lois@loislevy.com

I adopted Andy fround the pound in Macon , Ga last year. He was in a pen with a bunch of dogs just waiting. He is a Golden Retreiver of sorts. He has a crooked ear that sets him apart from the rest. He is the most loving dog that has ever been. Every day he just looks at me and his eyes just say Thank You. I love him so much and he loves me/
peggy hobby - 08/29/2006
stevehobby@msn.com

Our beautiful dog is named Yoda. He was found in a snow drift in February of 1999 outside the Courthouse at 26th and California. Our friend Diana found him. She snuck him into her office where she was partners with my husband. I received a call that Diana had found a great dog and I needed to come over right away. I drove over and went up to the office. Yoda was inside the office sitting silently. He was an all black puppy with white tuxedo markings. We had been talking about getting a miniature schnauzer. We got our Yoda.
It is now six and one-half years later. Yoda turned 7 on August 8th. He now has some gray in his face.
When we first took Yoda home he had obviously been abused. He now is King of the house and the kids refer to our bed as Yoda's bed.
Our little 25 pound corgi, chihuaua , black lab and whatever else mix is our first born. He has had bladder and back surgery, both in October of 2004 and he is doing well. We got him doggy stairs to try to alleviate any strain on his back but he flys off the bed and he flys onto the bed. He twirls in circles just like he has since the day we brought him home. He is our Yoda.
Ann C. Buran - 08/20/2006
winclap@msn.com

After losing my best friend of 18 years (kitty named Cato), someone in a persistent dream I had, told me to take home a long haired orange kitten from the place in my dream. The dream was so powerful, that the next day I called all the shelters looking for any orange long-haired kittens. Only one to be found, and I did everything possible to not allow myself to be able to adopt another cat (like being too late to fill out papers, etc), as I was still grieving. The little orange kitten was skinny as a rail, and motionless. He was 8 weeks old and just laid in my hands staring at me. I was reassured there was nothing medically wrong with the kitten, but I concluded that he was depressed and probably not eating. Actually he was the only survivor of a litter that was found, as his litter mates had suffocated between mattress dumped in an empty lot. The mom was hidding the kittens from strangers in the 110 degree heat. I knew if I was to adopt any kitten, that this was the one, as I am a psychotherapist, and he was a 'failure to thrive' kitty. He had given up the will to live. As soon as I got him home, he started to liven up, eat, and was very affectionate. I noticed he had a unique gift, and was afraid of nothing. I started taking him out to stores, with various loud stimulus, and he always remained calm. He always reached with his paw out to touch every human being and animal he met. Today, 'Clouseau' is 2 years old, and is a working Therapy Cat. He has changed so many peoples lives for the better, and continues to love to travel in the car, to stores, and to work. He also works with animals from the shelter who have behavioral problems, teaching them social appropriateness, so they can then be adopted out. He has worked in formal settings since he was 3 months old. I am blessed to be his human companion, and to help him share his gift. This was an amazing dream come true, and what a miracle 'Clouseau' is for myself and all those he works with.
Vicki Marquardt - 08/16/2006
Therapypaws2003@aol.com

We adopted Osa from Petsmart in Rancho Mirage, CA. She had only molars. The adopting agency told use she was half coyote and half golden, and that her owners had kept her on a chain on a concrete pad in a garage. She broke off her teeth, trying to get off the chain. She was nervous and skinny, and her tongue hung out of her mouth, with no teeth to contain it.
Now, she's walking gratitude (and well fleshed out). Teeth or no, she's very protective of her house and her people. And she always is in physical contact with one of us. When she shakes her head, you hear her ears and her tongue flap.
Elaine Martin - 08/15/2006
elainem1982@dc.rr.com

I had heard of a pit-bull mix that had been taken from a family that was training her to fight. The poor dog was tortured, her tail lit on fire, beaten repeatedly with a rolled up newspaper, all before 10 weeks of age! But despite all her abuse, she was a happy dog. I knew that not a lot of people were going to take a chance on a pit-bull mix that was abused, so I went to see her, she jumped in my lap and melted my heart. I brought her home, named her Baby and she's been my best friend ever since. I couldn't live without her...
Dana Harmon - 08/03/2006
dana.harmon@canjet.com

12 years ago we took in a small golden retriever mix whose owner was going to shoot her because she was tied to a dog house all day and when the kids came home from school "she jumped up on them." I came and got her from her dog house and her owners never even came out to say goodbye.

She is one of four dogs we have, is now 13 years old and is our dearest friend and companion. Their loss has been ever so much our tremendous gain.
Natalie Wegner - 07/12/2006
gidiup42@yahoo.com

I saw my Connor on a Pet Finder website. Listed as 7yrs old and Chihuahua. When I saw his face, I knew I had to go get him. I drove from Las Vegas to San Bernadino to pick him up. The poor guy was 3lbs, sick, and was 8-9yrs old, had no fur on his ears, he'd been shaved in spots, and was part Papillon. Looked like he was dying. They were giving him Benadryl for kids that was essentially rendering him sedated. I thought I was taking him home to die. He's since had two major surgeries on his mouth and has all of ten teeth, the ear infection he had was so bad he couldn't hear has resolved, and the matted eyes are of the past. It took months to get him on a leash. He had obviously been horribly abused. Connor is now 6.5lbs, walks up to 3 miles a day, chases my cats, and just loves life, new things, and going on adventures in the car. I have never loved in life like I love this little guy. He just walked all over my heart. I can't imagine a day in a life without him. I have an unending, profound awe and respect for such a little guy to have the strength of character to suffer the abuse, pain, and starvation and still find it in him to love, give, experience joy. He was determined to have a good life. It is my humblest honor to provide that for him every day to the best of my ability.
Linda Gilliam - 07/06/2006
llg0911@yahoo.com

June 3, 2006: A wonderful addition to our multi-animal family is Quinn, found last spring, age 6 months, chained to a tire in a ghetto area of Detroit with a broken tail, rib, and a cut snout. Baron Von Quinn reigns high and mighty in his new home in Michigan. He knows where he came from and where he ain't going---and that's back. Quinny is part Boxer and blonde Lab (we think), about 55 pounds with a broad chest and a bigger grin. He has huge, wet black eyes that sparkle. In my favorite photo of Quinn, he looks superb wearing a black tow tie; all he needs is a cigar and a pool stick. He dearly loves his family: his sister Molly (Gordon Setter who loves to visit the nursing home nearby), and the two British cats Harry and Walter-Lad, who truly rule the roost around here!

An anonymous quote sums up my feelings about my dogs, my loves:

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of his devotion."

Submitted by C. Gray, Michigan
C. Gray, Michigan - 06/04/2006

We found Roscoe, a big, crooked tail abused Boston Terrier at Chicago's Animal Care And Control Center. He was standing in his crate and staring at us, as if he were willing us to notice him. We had just lost Calvin, a beloved pygmy hedgehog and we had decided 'no more hedgehogs'. But we had been considering a dog for a while although we didn't expect to find one on our first visit to the pound.

We don't know who abandoned Roscoe or why...he knew the commands "sit", and when we would say "down"...he would drop to his belly, roll over and pop right back up.

We thought he had been abused in the past...it took months before he woud stop cowering and peeing if we raised our voices...which we only did because we were happy to see him. He will still crawl under the bed if we get into a heated fight, and he'll head to his crate without fail if we start discussing a touchy subject. It doesn't matter how calmly we talk it over...he can still tell.

I don't know what I'd do without him. I was diagnosed with clinical depression years ago and it has been a bumpy ride. Without fail, Roscoe makes me feel better, no matter how lousy my day has been.

And we always get stopped on the street by people who see him. He's very good...will let kids pet him and will shake hands...although he's more interested in the squirrel just down the way.

Here are some pictures:

http://members.arstechnica.com/x/monalisaoverdrive/ScaryTissues.JPG
http://members.arstechnica.com/x/monalisaoverdrive/Tiredc.jpg
http://members.arstechnica.com/x/monalisaoverdrive/Oddness.jpgCJH - 05/08/2006
chaselton@gmail.com

I too Have rescued several abanded dogs that in there state would not have lasted much longer. Perris for example a corgy/pomeranian mix was barely crossing the street it was summer time and she was so dehydrated she had matted dreadlocks down to the floor patches of fur were missing from her behind and bloody wounds were untreated I took her home and shave the dead fur offf and nursed her to health she now is Queen B of the house. The Second dog I Found Is Gracie. A beautifull German Shepard who is very scittish and gets frightened very easily, obviously previously abused she has gained over twenty pounds in the past month and her coat is clean and shiny and her self confidence is only getting higher. Big Boy A Beautifull Golden Lab Is a Little wild but well manered also found in the street was given a second chance I am currently trying to find him a ranch to live on.
But I am just an ordinary person young and full of love and compassion towards these poor babies that are in desperate need of LOVING homes. I enjoyed reading other people articles and hope that people who pass this site will open there hearts and there eyes to these unfortunate pets and be able to stretch themselves out enough to help find them good homes. Sincerely Mirit Rose
Mirit Rose - 05/04/2006
miritrose@hotmail.com

prior to returning to CT. after helping my sweet brother move to tennessee...(it was an adventure taken with my black Lab, $imon)...
I saw an ad in the local paper (of course ther was a photo!) of a 5-month old pup found walking the streets of Liberty, TN. We all went to "see" him. One smell of his warm little head - and it was over.(it smelled like tortillas).
He came home with us. His coat was dry, gray, laden with ticks, flakes - even after a bath. He was estimated to be 5 months old.
He is a healthy (now) black Lab-Border Collie bundle of personality. His name is Boone and I cannot imagine our lives without this little
urchin.
After being brought up to speed with shots & neutered....I bit the bullet and installed an expensive underground fence. (he was always in search of garbage all over the neighborhood-he even taught Simon to go along). He chewed a 12in.by 2 in. run my new wall-to-wall carpeting in the MIDDLE of the livingroom. He shattered my back window leaning to get a good bark out to a dog in the road.....my "free" $3900.- pup! an I adore him.
Simon is still wondering when this little guy is "going home"!!
iliana roggeri - 04/26/2006
iliana.roggeri@woosterschool.org

A wonderful woman named Fran Lindstrom in the Florida area went to pick up a Schipperke at the Miami Dade shelter and ended up saving 13 other dogs from being put to sleep. Please see her posting below. We belong to a wonderful group call SRY2K. We are on a Yahoo group. We are Schipperke lovers first and foremost. We are headed up by a wonderful person named Sandy Church. She runs the Rimrock Humane Society in Roundup, Montana

http://www.rimrockhumanesociety.org/ and

the Bull Mountain Rescue group.

http://www.bullmtn.com/rescues/

She is also the keeper of the Trista fund where Trista Angels donate and hold auctions to fund an emergency account for people who need assistance with medical bills for their Schipperkes. My husband and I have helped place around 6 Schips to families who requested a Schip. There are numerous of us who have traveled a fare amount to help rescue not just Schips. The members of SRY2K all deserve some recognition for their contribution to the canine race.

This is Fran's posting:

Whew! A very l-o-n-g day. Left at 8:30 a.m. -- home at 10:30 p.m.

Little senior guy made it through the weekend and he looks just like his picture -- a cross between my Skipper and Toughie. On the small side, with the cutest ears! is definitely a schip - not a mix as I had been warned might be the case. He's sort of stiff and doesn't move around much. I'll have to have him vetted. Paperwork doesn't say much other than that he is now microchipped. That shelter microchips whether they do anything else or not. . .

A lady I know who does rescue (called Miami Dade Rescue Railroad) asked me if I could bring back a couple of additional dogs when I picked up the schip. I said, "sure". I went for one dog, came back across the state with 14. . . Thankfully, after three stops to drop off part of my load each time, I actually got to my house with just the one I went for!

The little senior guy needs a name -- the shelter didn't give him one as he was picked up as a stray. He doesn't seem to see well, and I don't know if he hears well either. But, his nose works fine! He found the food bowl and grass and sniffed a lot.

I have been warned about the Miami Dade shelter being a hothouse for disease so need to be very careful and keep him under quarantine and decontaminate my van and crates. I am so tired tonight I made him comfy in one of my soft crates in the van and left the light on in the garage. It broke my heart to have to leave him out there, but we all need our rest tonight.

Earned a couple extra points toward angel wings by saving 13 other dogs that were scheduled to be PTS. Everything from purebreds -- 2 toy poodles, blonde cocker spaniel, 2 yorkies and I think a tibetan spaniel -- to mixed breeds. Ages from 10 to 15 yrs on down to weeks old puppies. Incredible. I wound up taking so many because when the lady at the shelter told me what she had and what the result was going to be, I called the gal who asked me to pick up the dogs and she said OK bring them all. So I did.

Then three stops on the way home to give dogs to various rescue folks -- 7 to one, 2 to another and 4 to the last. A long day to be sure, but a good feeling that 14 furballs will find new homes.
Shelley Hall - 04/04/2006
shelleylhall@netscape.net

In summer of 2004, 3 stray dogs were wandering around our family owned business. I left food out for them when I arrived in the morning and before I left at the end of each day.
Only one of the dogs stayed around. We assumed she was pregnant. Finally in late Sept. we could hear pups crying in a cave. The mom still came out morning and afternoon to eat. She would carry the dish away with the food in it. I couldn’t figure out why she didn’t stay and eat. I thought it was because she was too afraid to take the time. I’d talk to her as she passed through, but could never get close, she always walked away from me.
In October we saw 3 pups asleep at the opening of the cave. I placed food there but was hesitant to get too close. I didn’t know where momma was. That night we told our brother-in-law who was interested. He came to the yard the next day in hopes of seeing the pups. We went up in back & couldn’t hear anything. As I started to walk away, I noticed something to the left of the cave, up higher on a level part of the bank. I called out & 6 little heads started popping up. They were beautiful, healthy puppies. I started handing the pups down to my husband & brother-in-law. One of the pups was squirming so much she slipped back down into the cave. Just then, they shouted to me to move out of there because Momma was on the other side of the fence. She just laid there watching. I didn’t know what to expect from her so I left the one pup and got out. I then called animal control for assistance to retrieve the other pup. The officer went back to the cave and got the other pup. I placed a plate of food out and they all dove into it. I wondered how they knew how to eat like that, if they had only been nursing. The animal control officer assumed they were at least 8 weeks old. They were all clean, free of parasites and chubby. Momma did a great job!
Animal control took 4 pups to the shelter to put up for adoption. I decided to keep 2 females. The next day Momma was hanging around the buildings frantic to get at her pups. I received a called from Animal Control informing me the other 4 pups were checked out by a vet and were only 5 weeks old. They needed to capture Momma & bring my 2 pups to the shelter so they could nurse another 3 weeks.
I knew it would be difficult to capture Momma. Two officers came and they used my 2 pups as bait. They put them in a trap to lure Momma in. She circled all around the cage but wouldn’t go inside for fear of entrapment. She even tried to dig underneath. They then put the pups on leashes & Momma came back and cried & pleaded with them to let her have them. She continued begging & crying, but never got vicious. She could have bitten them at anytime to get them to release the pups, but she didn’t. They tried to get a loop around her neck when she came close to the pups but failed. Momma moved around too quickly. They decided to crate the pups & put them into their van with the side door opened. They hid behind the van & when Momma went in they would slam the door shut. They set it up and Momma came around & slowly crept into the van. As the door was pushed closed, Momma jumped out & the door hit her in the head & it popped back open. Momma ran off under the fence and stayed up in back and pleaded (barking franticly) for 15 minutes. The women decided that she had lost trust in them, so they had to leave. They told me I had to try to capture her. We then closed the three overhead garage doors. We placed the pups in the center of the garage in a crate. The side door to the garage was opened and we attached a rope to the doorknob. An employee was in the garage working. I hid behind a piece of equipment with the rope in my hand. Momma was going all around the building. She finally passed by the open door. She placed her front paws on the threshold. A tool had dropped, startling her and she fled. Again she came to the open door and started talking to the pups. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. She moved her mouth (opening & closing it) and was making sounds almost like whispering to them. I knew she had to come in a lot farther before I could pull the door shut. She came in farther stepping past the loose rope. I slowly pulled the rope taunt. Just then another wrench dropped. I froze. If Momma bolted she would have run right into the taunt rope at her neck. Instead, one of the pups made a sound and she had a decision to make. Leave, or go to the pups and be captured. She chose her pups. She ran toward them and I pulled on the rope, the door slammed closed. She ran past the closed crate, startled by the noise of the slamming door. She ran under a truck. I called Animal Control as instructed. We didn’t approach Momma or her pups until they arrived. They told me to carry the pups over to their mother. I placed the pups near her and they began to nurse. Momma never moved. Her only concern was for her babies. We realized what bad shape she was in. A front tooth had been imbedded in her lip. Most of her teeth were either broken in half or missing. The two teeth on the bottom lay flat. Her nose had a split in it. She was thin, dirty, wet and tired. That’s when I realized why she had been carrying the plates of food away to be eaten. It was hard for her to eat quickly with the condition of her mouth and she couldn’t chance being caught and taken away from her pups. She stayed the night with the pups because the ordeal was too traumatic. The next morning we entered the garage & Momma couldn’t be seen. All of a sudden she came out from under a truck and slowly walked toward me. I knelt down. She came as close to me as possible, licked my face and put her head on my shoulder and sighed as if to say “thank-you, I don’t have to run anymore”. At that point I knew I loved her and wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her. I had to care for her no matter what. She trusted me! Animal control arrived & Momma was being led out when she suddenly stopped, turned back and looked at me. I went with her to the van to let her know it was okay.
Momma and her 6 pups spent the next 3 weeks at the shelter. A Vet removed the tooth embedded in her lip to make her more comfortable. We visited them weekly. She was excited to see us every time we visited and she knew I would be back for her.
When they were returned to us, I made appointments for them with a Veterinarian for exams and shots. Momma was in dire need of medical attention.
We named Momma “Misty” because of the weather the day of her capture and the pups Roxy & Ginger.
The vet told us Misty was in between stages 3 & 4 of heartworm infestation. She had eye infections, ear mites and parasites in her intestines. Misty was carrying a heavy load in her heart and bloodstream. It was getting harder for her to care for the pups on her own. We concluded that she wanted us to take over for her and that is why she put the pups out for us to take at an early age. The vet said her chances of surviving the heartworms was good as long as she survived the first treatment without incident. Misty made an amazing recovery. She was hospitalized twice for her treatments and her last two treatments were done here. She also developed some liver damage from the medications but recovered with additional medicine. Misty would vomit everyday, sometimes twice. We had her stomach x-rayed and it showed nothing. I started noticing she would only vomit when she was in the presence of the pups right after she ate. I came to the conclusion that she had acquired a habit of eating and vomiting to feed her pups. She was weaning them. That is the reason why they all ate from that plate of food the first day. It’s also why she was so thin and anemic and they were so healthy. Misty was interested in saving the lives of her babies the only way she knew how. She was sacrificing herself for them.

Today, Misty, Roxy, and Ginger are very healthy, happy, active, loving dogs who have brought much joy to us. The three are strongly bonded. Misty is a very strong and courageous animal and she continues to show her gratitude everyday. She has come a long way but is finally home.
Linda Romagnoli - 03/14/2006
linrom190@hotmail.com

i found a dog named Joy one night walking the streets! she was the friendliest dog and wasn't afraid of me. she collars on and i tried calling the number but they didn't pick up. i took her home and fed her and cared for her. that night @ 11 her owners called and i didn't want to give her up but i knew i had too. so i took her over to their house only a few minutes away her looked like they were happy to have her back.
Anonymous - 02/25/2006
sassyashgirl@yahoo.com

Although there had ALWAYS been at least one dog in my life since I was a small child, I'd never had the time to pursue real RESCUE efforts until an injury accident in 1990 left me with permanent ortho & neurological "deficeits"; since I was no longer able to continue working, I finally HAD the time & decided to devote as much time, energy & finances as possible to the "Throw-Away" dogs, also termed "Special-Needs". As a "Handicapped" HUMAN, I felt a special empathy for dogs with medical issues that required some extra care that many people wouldn't even consider taking on; HUNDREDS of dogs with some form of "disability" are PTS every day simply because people don't know HOW to care for them. Deaf dogs (like Sophie & Pongo)can learn hand signs; dogs with seizure disorders (Butler) can take medications; paralyzed (such as Sgt.Pepper), arthritic (14+ y/o Mattie) & dogs with other forms of mobility problems can be fitted for a cart, a sling works well for shorter "walks" & steps, ramps or even a pile of pillows helps an arthritic dog get on the couch, bed or into a car; incontinent dogs (Sgt.Pepper, Placer) can wear diapers, be confined to tiled areas & with all the latest cleaning products, deodorizers, steam cleaners & room air cleaners, there should be no lasting "smells". Many dogs find themselves tossed into "doggy jail" or taking a last ride to the Vet for PTS simply because their humans either didn't know how or didn't take the time to TRAIN, TRAIN & TRAIN; a well trained dog is NOT a "problem dog", they are part of the "forever family" unit & unless there's a death, illness or other serious crisis situation, they will spend productive, happy lives with the same humans, just as a human child would do. The Shelters, Rescues & roadsides are prime "dumping grounds" for the fence-jumpers & car-chasers, the barkers & biters, the counter-surfers & garbage hounds, the shoe chewers & carpet stainers; all the dogs that were so cute & "forgivable" as a tiny fluffy fur-ball will eventually grow up to be a BIG 4-legged house & garden destruction machine without TRAINING. Over the years I've even rescued aggressive dogs; one 5 y/o male Dalmatian was already scheduled for PTS after he "scalped" a family member who will have permanent facial scars. I had to beg, sign many release of liability forms & pay a rather high "fee" in order to save his life; after 3 months of working with "Dice" on a nearly 24/7 basis (& a few trips to ER for stitches), I was able to gain his trust, establish proper "pack order" with ME as the leader and 2 years later he saved MY life during an armed attempted car jacking. When we first met, Dice was a snarling, well-bred, expensive, AKC show quality, 5 y/o intact male Dalmatian (being neutered at age 5 years is too late to remove all of a males' "instincts"; Dice had a large stuffed animal that he LOVED; I named it "Humpy Dog"!), originally purchased as an 8 week old "gift", then as the human kids became more interested in after-school sports & other teen pursuits than in playing with a hyper-active, large, totally UNTRAINED dog that jumped on them, nipped them & barked as soon as they went outside & left "smelly piles of poop" that Mom & Dad who had busy careers, made the kids clean up. From 8 weeks to 5 YEARS, Dice was left alone, bored & UNTRAINED in a small, solid, 8 ft.high wood fenced area where he could hear & smell other dogs, humans & family barbeques, but HE was never invited; he'd been in the family car only ONCE in his life & as soon as he became big enough to "pull on the leash", he was no longer taken for walks. Can YOU imagine being confined 24/7 to a small, outdoor "sensory-depravation" backyard where you could SEE the family thru a patio door, were fed "cheap" dry kibble in a bowl crawling with ants & had to drink "green water" from a 5 gallon bucket placed under a dripping faucet, had NO interaction with any living creature until someone occ. remembered to pour another 5 lb. of kibble into your bowl or came out to "clean" the yard, kicking you for getting too close & calling you names you couldn't quite understand, but the tone of the humans' voice made it VERY clear that you were not wanted; why not growl & BITE before those 2-leggeds could kick or hit you again? That's exactly what Dice began to do (when I met the "Mom", SHE told me "Dices'Story" & I got to SEE his yard & the awful living conditions when I went to sign & pick up paperwork at the home). He finally became so frightened & ANGRY that he seriously injured someone & was scheduled for PTS. I just happened to have the same Vet & was there when Dice was brought in, snarling & shivering in a crate, for his FINAL "appt." (actually it was also his FIRST since this family had never bothered to have ANY Vet care or training for their $800.00 puppy!). While I'd NEVER suggest that the average person rescue or adopt a dog with a history of aggression & biting such as Dice, I KNEW his genetic background from having had other Dals from the same line & after the "Mom" told me what Dices' life had been like for 5 years, I was willing to "take a chance". Yes, it WAS "dangerous", took ALOT of patience, time, keeping him securely AWAY from other people, constant TRAINING with bits of "tasty" food, letting him observe me interacting with my other dogs and having the strength (or stupidity!) to NEVER show fear or anger even when he bit me, Dice eventually learned to trust ME & we were "best friends" until his death. I never allowed him to be unsupervised around anyone even after he "gave up" biting & seemed to LIKE humans; I TRAINED him myself because NO trainers wanted a "mean dog" in class (he was NEVER dog aggressive) & we "practised" basic obedience EVERY day, adding "tricks" along with regular play-time with ALL "rescue" dogs included. Dice was by my side 24/7 unless I was in the Hospital (non dog-related health problems) & by then, Dice KNEW several other "good" humans who could go in to feed, water & let him & the rest of "my pack" out to potty & play. Although I did extensive TRAINING with Dice, as I do with ALL rescues, adopted or purchased dogs, his "salvation" was at least 75% from a dogs' NATURAL inclination to be part of a "pack" & to obey the "pack rules" that he observed from watching the other dogs interacting with me. Dice eventually formed such a close bond with me that he risked injury to protect me from the "bad man" with a knife who tried to rob me in a Shopping Mall parking lot late one night (he had to be taken for emergency Vet care; I was unhurt but I still have the slashed clothing I was wearing)."Dices'Story" was published in my local newspaper & a longer version including his "previous" life appeared in EN Magazines' first issue! ALL of the rescue or adopted "throw-away" dogs I've known have been VERY grateful for their second (or third or fourth!) chance at life in a REAL "pack" with 2-leggeds they can trust.
Jeanne Roesberry - 02/17/2006
j-roesberry@webtv.net

Well, I have always had a dog...always. When I lost my best friend, a 120lb Rotti, to Cancer I could not function. Not only the loss of my best friend for almost a decade but the loss of that love. You know the love I am talking about... the love you get when you walk in to the room, when you smile at them, when you play with them and hug them... I was lost without someone (a dog) to share my life with.
I started looking on petfinders.com and visiting my local ASPCA. I turned a corner and saw this big beautiful Great Dane head. "Honey" her run said... Honey.
I ran inside and up to one of the girls and asked to see her. They brought her out for me and I was in love!!! I have a three year old and the shelter was very hesitant since one of her past owners turned her in for being "rambuncious" around her kids. I am a professional dog trainer and a previous Vet Tech at a local well know hospital... so once that was said... they were glad to give me the opportunity. I brought my daughter in, twice to meet her and play with her and I ran her through every "test" I could... she was bomb proof and perfect!!!
She is a Great Dane mix- guessing lab. She looks like a Skunk - all black with a white blaze that runs down her face, chest and belly to the tip of her tail. She had 3 homes before me... all within a year. She was thin and recovering from mange and had probably never been "loved". We took her home and she has been amazing! We changed her name to "Talula" which seems to fit her perfectly- she is big and dopey and filled with more love then I have ever witnessed. A dog rescued is so much different then one who is not. For those of you who do not know the love of a dog... I feel sorry for you... for those of you who do... :) I applaud you! Love them like there is no tomorrow!!!
Jennifer - 01/10/2006
jennpy9@aol.com

Our dog, Bear, has been the most delightful gift.
I was never a big fan of dogs and didn’t understand “dog people” until the night fate intervened.

I was driving on a freezing wintry night and there he was, near our local gas station.
He was covered with little drops of ice and snow and his paws were raw.
I couldn’t just leave him there.

After getting him in my car, my friend and I drove him, shaking and terrified, to an animal hospital. Once we got inside the warm building, we were hit with the powerful odor of a dog that’s been wandering the streets too long. He then began throwing up an interesting mixture of treats we couldn’t identify. At that point I just wanted the vet to tell me what to do, tell me he’d be fine, and then I could leave and go home. But the true nature of this dog came out. He was perfect. He sat still for tests, he was calm and quiet for a much-needed bath, and he got our attention to let us know he had to go outside. And he loved us all. I felt more and more attached.

They determined that he was about a year old, 50 pounds and a shepherd mix. He was in pretty good health for being a stray. I asked what would happen now, and they told me I could either take him home or they would call the local shelter. I felt I had to know what would happen to this dog. Would someone else just leave him? Would they hurt him? Knowing full well that my husband wanted a big dog, and that my two boys would love him, I decided to bring him home for the night. Then we would decide what to do. I never pictured myself with a dog, let alone a mysterious stray. My husband adored him right away.

That night I slept downstairs on the couch next to this worn out dog. He and I had some good talks while I panicked about the fact that he was nothing that I imagined having in my life and what was I supposed to do now. The next morning my youngest son woke up to meet this new creature. Bear, as my son later named him, got down low and with his face on the floor he slowly crept up to this new little person in the most endearing way. My heart melted. They loved each other instantly. We put a Lost Dog ad in the paper and waited. Each time the phone rang with someone asking about the ad my heart sank. That was the sign I needed to tell me what to do. We had to keep him.

So now we have a huge, well fed, stinky (Bear has the worst gas) slobbery, spoiled, very loved dog. We fenced in our yard and gave him run of the house. I wish I knew what his past was like and where he came from. I do know that he is terrified of most men and all basements, but overall he loves everyone and everyone loves him.
When I tell people about Bear, I say that he is everything I never knew that I always wanted.
He follows me everywhere I go, and when I leave he watches and waits for me to come home.

And I thought I didn’t want a dog…
Sonia Bacon - 01/06/2006
thatwouldbegreat@gmail.com

Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted a dog. I obsessed about them, and if you were around me you would hear of nothing else. My parents thought it was “just a phase” and that I would get over it, but after four years of making projects--poster boards, power points on every possible dog breed you can imagine, not to mention my growing book case filled with books on dogs, dogs, and more dogs--my parents started to think otherwise. One day my dad suddenly said “we should look into getting a dog” and I freaked. My mom was fine with it because she said it would make her get out and about a lot more, my sister thought it would be cool, and I was the most excited person in the world.

After a lot of perusing local humane societies we found a beautiful husky (the only kind of dog my dad would get) named Luna. Unfortunately Luna got adopted two days later, the day before we came to get her. I guess it wasn’t meant to be, because if we had adopted Luna, we would have never met Misty.

About a half a year later we signed up with Golden Bond an Oregon golden retriever rescue after I had convinced my dad how sweet, loving, and just all around great goldens were. We got interviewed, house-check, approved and all that jazz and we waited for them to call us with our perfect match. Meanwhile, our friend got in contact saying she new a woman, Robin, who was fostering a wonderful and well-trained golden from Safe-Haven Humane Society, so we gave Robin a call. After my mom talked on the phone for an hour with Robin she told her that we sounded perfect for Misty and she would bring her over to stay the next day.

We were so excited (well at least I was) that after all this Golden Bond stuff, we were suddenly going to get a dog--right after she got spayed--tomorrow! When Misty arrived the next day, she was pooped from all her surgery and traveling. She just lay in the corner and wouldn’t eat, but after only a couple days she perked up and started fitting right in. Misty is a wonderful companion, she is five years old and is so mellow, but plays like a little puppy when we go to the park. She is amazingly well trained, so eager to learn, and the sweetest dog I’ve ever known. She loves everyone, especially toddlers who often are at the perfect height to lick in the face. We often joke that she is our guard dog; if a burglar ever came, she would lick them to death.

Misty is truly wonderful, she will just sit with her head in your lap and look and you for hours, she is so grateful, but really we are the lucky ones. I love her because she is always happy, which makes me the happiest person in the world.
Zoe Johnson - 01/04/2006
pet.kid@gmail.com

Mia is a Rottweiler who whose owner was in jail. The person left in charge of her locked her in her kennel in the garage during the hot summer. He starved her and tormented her with food. The girlfriend of her owner was taking care of his pregnant pitbull. Five days after she gave birth to the puppies, the girlfriend loaded up the mother and pups and Mia and drove around town trying to get rid of the dogs. Fortunately, some kindhearted folks took Mia and surrendered her to a local rescue shelter. We adopted her a few weeks after she had been at the shelter and she was still pretty thin. It makes me sick to think that anyone could be so cruel to such a wonderful creature. She is such a good dog and gets along very well with everyone she has met...people & animals! She has even won over my husband who likes animals, but isn't a crazy animal person like me!
Chris - 12/26/2005

I am a very proud owner of "8" abandoned, abused, neglected, and dropped-off dogs.
They now have awonderful life! They are all under veterinary care but most important, they are loved! They are truly awesome! They bring such joy and happiness to me. Their unconditional love is amazing! The canine race is superior to the human race, although their life span is way too short! DOGS RULE!
Peri Adams - 10/12/2005

My dog Star got a second chance because my best friend found her in a road, she called me at the time and was crying and asked me if I would take her so I had to have her so she brought her to me and I took her!
Sue - 10/06/2005
hellokittybabi10@aol.com

Mindy came into our lives 10 years ago. She was a skinny rescued and retired brindle greyhound. Scared, shy and with broken ears from her short racing career - it was love at first sight. Little did we know her personality would begin to bloom over the next 6 months into a funny, silly girl that loved plush toys. It was with great sadness that she died of bone cancer two weeks ago. Memories of love and joy are also mixed with tears of sadness. She truly knew she was rescued and enjoyed every day of her life.
Renae Lindley - 09/20/2005
lindmarq@astound.net

My dog, Tripod, adopted me. I decided to foster Tripod from Stray Rescue of St. Louis in January 2001. Tripod was rescue a few weeks before from East St. Louis. He was found wandering with a pack of dogs. Randy Grim, the founder of Stray Rescue and Tripod's savior, noticed that Tripod was not keeping up with the rest of the pack. Because Tripod was limping so badly, Randy was able to capture Tripod and bring him to the vet.

At the vet's office, it became clear that Tripod's foot was badly injured. The vet suspected that someone had tried to chop off Tripod's foot with an ax. Tripod's entire leg had to be amputated.

At first, Tripod seems so scared and depressed. With a perpetual worried look on his face, he would whineand hop around the house aimlessly. He clearly wasn’t comfortable being inside a house. On the first night, I found Tripod sleeping under some brush in my backyard and had to coax him into coming back inside the house. Tripod didn’t think that he belonged indoors and was reluctant to enter the house, despite the frigid temperatures outside. It was then that I made a promise to Tripod: I would make sure he would never have to spend another night shivering outside in the cold alone.

After a few days, Tripod began to feel more at home. Although still submissive, Tripod became less timid and began to show some of his personality. Realizing that he was loved and safe, Tripod became more affectionate and playful. Within just a week, Tripod was turning into a very loving and loyal companion.

Because Tripod seemed to be adjusting so well to his new temporary home, I thought I might try taking him to an adoption day. When I put on his leash and collar, Tripod became very excited and started dancing and wagging his tail. This all changed when we stepped through the doors of Petsmart. Upon entering the store, Tripod became extremely frightened. Before I knew what was happening, Tripod had slipped out of his collar and ran out of the store. I frantically chased Tripod into a nearby park. With the help of Randy and some other volunteers, we searched the entire park, but to no avail. By the end of the day, it was clear that Tripod would have to spend the night alone in the park. This was heartbreaking for me because I had made a promise to Tripod that he would never have to spend another night alone in the cold. Here it was, just ten days after I had made that promise, and the poor little guy was alone again.

After work the next day, I posted “Lost Dog” signs around the area. I called the local animal shelters and searched the park some more. Tripod was still lost. I decided to take the next day off from work in order to post more signs and search the area some more. I spent the early part of the morning posting signs. I then came back home to check my answering machine before heading back to put up more signs. As I was pulling into my driveway, I saw him. There he was! I couldn’t believe my eyes. My little three-legged dog was curled up at the top of my driveway waiting for me to come home. It was a miracle. Somehow, Tripod had managed to find his way home on just three legs. This was an amazing feat for any dog, not to mention one who has just had major surgery to remove a limb. Although I was full of emotion, I had to contain myself as I got out of my car. I was concerned that if I appeared too excited I might scare him off. I soon saw that I had nothing to worry about, for Tripod came hopping toward me, whining and frantically wagging his tail in circles. Tripod was finally home and he knew it.

As he lay in my house, recovering from his long voyage home, I realized that Tripod finally knew that this was his home. This was where he belonged. It was then that decided to adopt Tripod. He was just too special of a dog to let go. Tripod is the love of my life...he is such a sweet, loving dog who never leaves my side. I can't imagine a life without him.
Anonymous - 08/13/2005
clr8@juno.com

Brandy - 14 year old, female German Shepherd / Lab mix. Adopted her from a shelter in Boca Raton, Florida when she was 3 months old. She has been with me, by my side, through thick and thin. Rascal - 3 year old, female Boxer/Mix. Adopted her from a friend who had a liter of puppies. We adopted her when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. They are inseparable! Jake - 1 year old, male German Shepherd Mix. I fosted Jake for ONE day from a GSD rescue and adopted him the next day. We've had him since he was 3 mnths old. He has literally eaten us out of house and home. He has terrible anixety issues and is very aggressive towards other dogs. We love him unconditionally. He's almost 100 lbs. He's our big teddy bear. A new addition soon - My husband and I have been volunteering at a rescue in Sanford, NC who just recently won a court battle of 300 dogs that were rescued from a puppy mill. We were just approved to foster a Boston Terrier that we fell in love with while volunteering. We don't have her in our home yet but will hope to this weekend or next weekend. We've picked out a name for her. Bella (Beautiful in Itailian). This rescue has totally moved my heart in many ways that can't be described. The people who ran the mill are appealing so we cannot adopt the dogs until the appeal process is over which could take up to two years. Smoky - 3 year old, female cat. I found her as a stray outside my work. She is gray and about 18 pounds. The dogs all love her except Jake chases her around a bit. I wasn't sure how much this I would be able to write on this page so above is a short detail of my babies.
Maureen Warren - 07/15/2005
NYBRAVS8631@YAHOO.COM

my story is about xena who i adopted about 4 years ago. i had just put to sleep my 15yr old dog and could not even sleep at night without crying since i missed her so much. i knew in my heart she would want to see me happy so i started searching petfinder. after going to 5 shelter i stumbled across a mixed breed pit bull in the passaic animal shelter. after logging out of petfinder her picuture came up yet again, even when i logged out of aol her picture was still there? it didnt make any sense to me but i took it as a sign and went to see her the next day. when i walked up to her cage she seemed very shy and was missing most of her hair. seems she was beaten on a daily basis and possbibly used as a bait dog. she was covered in blood and scabs. I still was not sure until the shelter worker told me she didnt have much time left. so i gave them a deposit and asked that a vet look her over. its seems she was also in heat so i had to smooth talk them into letting me adopt her since they dont adopt out until they are spayed. when i took her home she continued to be afraid of everything and everyone. from what i can tell she never saw grass, or a sidewalk before. she must have been kept in a cage. here we are 4 years later and everywhere i bring her people can tell she was abused and they all love her even more for how shy she is. even raising your hand too quickly will make her flinch. it looks like that part will be in her mind forever. most people would have got rid of her already but i never will. she has seperation anxiety bad which is under control now with drugs and training. but in the first year she ate a couch, a bed, many many blankets, my rug, 2 crates, 3 baby gates, ruined 2 rugs, at pillows and clothes, several allergic reactions that cost over $400 each, and still has moments of fear where she shakes so bad her hair starts to fall out. she knows i will never hurt her and when she is scared she hides behind me. but the plus side is she is wonderful with other dogs, cats, and esp. children. like i said everyone loves her. im a bartender and i take her to work with me 2 days a week. all the customers bring her in doggie treats and just love her. she is like our mascot. i also have her stay a few nights a month with a friend who is terminally ill. it seems to be the only thing that brightens his day when xena climbs on the couch next to him and hugs him. ( she is trained to hug on command) and lays with him while he is in pain. so she is our miricle dog. anything else you would like to know about her please just ask. she is famous in my neighborhood. Eveyone knows her story and how bad the beginning of her life was. now they know she lives like a queen. she even has her own couch. before me i dont even think she knew what a treat or a hug was. god sent her to me for a reason. we have both helped each other grow and to help people realize that there are cluel people out there. lots of people like to pretend that animal abuse does not exist. once they meet and hear xenas story they also realize not all pit bulls are bad. 8 of my friends have since adopted after meeting xena. thanks for hearing our story. Deborah Huha Belleville, NJ
Deborah - 07/15/2005
Debbyyum@aol.com

I was volunteering with a local rescue taking dogs to adoption weekends, when Alice found me. She had been found as a stray walking the streets of Trenton NJ when the animal control officer picked her up and brought her to the shelter. She was referred to as #289, and she did not do well in the shelter. She was a jumper, and when in her outside run, would jump and jump and jump. She jumped so high that she broke through the roof of her outdoor kennel and much to the suprise of her neighbor ended up in their kennel. The staff at the shelter felt they had to keep her inside, otherwise she might hurt herself, get away or hurt another dog. So #289 spent the next 3 months in a small kennel inside near the back of the shelter where she got out very rarely if ever. This made her very anxious and she started to act depressed but anytime she got to go outside was so excited that she would just run around like a maniac. Unfortunately all these circumstances made her not very adoptable to a family looking for a dog to bring home. I would occassionally go and try to walk her, but she was just so happy to be outside that she would just run around uncontrollably. After 3 months, the shelter was full, she had been there the longest, and was the least adoptable of all the other dogs, so it seemed as if #289's time was up. I filled out a form, that if she ran out of time, and they were going to have to euthanize her, they were to call me. I was trying desperately to find her a foster home to try and get her some socialization and training but no one could take her. I couldn't really take her either as I lived in a one room apartment with my lab and 3 rescue bunnies. Monday afternoon rolled around and when I got home from work there was a message that they were going to put her down tomorrow unless I had found her a home. I felt like I had no choice, I had to go and get her, and the next day I did. I promised my other pets that we were only going to foster her until we could find her a new home. When she came into the house she was in heat, covered in mange, dog aggressive, and incredibly hyper, it really didn't look good. That was 2 years ago. Her name is no longer #289, but Alice, and she is the most thankful soul I have ever seen. She knows on some level that her time was up and we saved her. She is the sweetest most loving wonderful, well behaved dog we could have asked for. She is still a bit dog aggressive occassionally so we have to be careful,but she gets along fine with my other dog, and our families dogs. But her mange is gone, she is spayed, and she loves people more than anything.
Laura Spinney - 07/15/2005
lspinney@princeton.edu

In my early twenties I had the longest, most satisfying, healthiest relationship of my life. His name was Thor and he weighed the same as I did. He was a rottweiler that believed he was a human and my lap was his favorite place to sit. Thor and I were perfectly happy in our solitude when I met my future husband. Our first date was a long walk so Thor could make his own judgements in neutral territory. After consulting with Thor, I decided that he (the future husband) might be worthy. We embarked on a life together... me, Thor, and the husband (in that order). We were very happy together and decided to add to the family with our first sort of rescue dog. Her name is Faith and she came from the Guide Dog School in Oregon. She is what the school kindly refers to as a "Career Change" dog. Its a nice way of saying, she flunked out! There's a lot of different reasons dogs don't make the cut, some are health related and others are behavioral. Unfortunately for us, her problems were the latter. She terrorized poor Thor and he simply tolerated her. She would run away and play "come and get me sucker" whenever possible. She didn't mellow out for four years. Thor and Faith had a great relationship in their time together and she became very upset when Thor was diagnosed with cancer. We were all devastated when all the heroic efforts to save him failed. We had lost relatives and loved ones in the past but nothing hit us as hard as this one. He was our baby and life without him was unfathomable. A few weeks went by and I noticed that Faith was clearly depressed and not getting better. She wouldn't eat or get in the car. It was so sad to watch her grieve and not be able to comfort her or explain to her that she would feel better someday (that's what we kept telling ourselves, anyway). I came up with a brilliant distraction for her: I called a friend of a friend in charge of the local Ridgeback Rescue group in Washington and asked if they needed anyone to foster a dog for a couple of days. Amazingly, they had just had a beutiful 18 month old male returned to the program after being placed once all ready and he needed some place to go. He had lived with five different families in his short life, had been abused, hit by a car, ran wild for a month and had every reason in the world to hate everyone and everything. When she brought him over, I was sure he would be a nightmare and not get along with Faith at all. I was wrong, he was the most gentle soul I had ever seen. His eyes were filled with despair and distrust but you could tell he wanted to be loved. Faith loved him on site but it took a couple of days to be reciprocated. When he first came into the house and layed down on Thor's old bed inbetween my husband and I, we had simultaneous meltdowns. There was no question that this would be his last and forever home. At that moment, the hole in my heart started to heal and I felt Thor had something to do with him showing up. It wasn't a betrayal to bring another big boy into the house so soon. It felt more like a way to pay homage to the wonderful life we had shared with him by giving back to one that was so needy. He has been an incredible part of our family. He is very smart and loyal and above all else, a Momma's Boy (just like Thor).
Marla Lindell - 07/15/2005
marlaroberts@msn.com

I was raised always having a dog but when my beloved Sandy died when I was a senior in high school, I swore I would never let a dog into my heart again. I didn't know losing an animal could hurt so badly. My mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1994 and had to move in with my brother who could not take her 7 yr old Golden Retriever, Sandy. (I should have known, it was a sign!) I agreed to take her, vowing not to get attached. Yeah, right. We had Sandy for 4 years when we got another Golden puppy, Rhett. (This was before I was familiar with dog rescue). Sandy died suddenly at age 13, Rhett was devastated and of course I was swearing off any more dogs when I ran into a friend of mine who asked about Sandy. When I told her the unfortunate news she said she had just rescued a three-legged mixed breed from the kill shelter on his last day; she could only foster him temporarily. So I took him in, named him Hop-a-Long Cassidy, and he fit right in. He keeps a squirrel look-out at the top of our back yard and I swear if he had all four legs he would catch one. I found another golden retriever, Charlotte, from a rescue group who had been tied to a chain and bred until she couldn't have anymore litters. She doesn't have any front teeth from trying to chew through the chain. She is the absolutely sweetest, most loving dog. She is very jumpy around loud noises and brooms and rakes, etc so I know she had a rough life. One day my son told me his dad was not taking proper care of their 11 yr old Lhasa Apso, could she come live here. She was blind and mostly deaf but after talking it over with my husband, she came here. She lived her last year spoiled, healthy, and comfortable until she died in my arms of leukemia. Through my sobs, I told my husband, "If I ever tell you I want another dog, don't let me have one." A month later I was scouring rescue sites for a small lap dog. We drove to Nebraska (from OH) to pick up Jeffery, a 10 lb terrier mix who was a puppymill survivor. We got him from Hearts United for Animals, a national no-kill shelter. He was so scared, he didn't eat or go to the bathroom or wag his tail the whole 14 hr trip home. He's been here 9 months now and follows me everywhere. He is still scared of strangers and has to be tranquilized for grooming but the greeting I get, whether its from being gone an hour or simply getting out of the shower is worth it. The reason I'm telling my story is that, yes, there is no pain like losing a beloved dog. But to be able to open your heart again to another in need honors the memory of your deceased dog. And the hurt you feel when that next dog passes on is nothing compared to how they have suffered before coming into your life and stealing your heart.
Margie Serri - 07/15/2005
mserri@neo.rr.com

A Reason for Hope “Turn here” she said, “I know that it is not the route to take, but you have to turn now.” Patsy was insistent. I knew better than to question her. She had been doing this work for 18 years, and knew the townships intimately. “We have to go this way.” We were in the Animal Anti-Cruelty League truck, doing a routine task of returning neutered dogs to their owners. It was early morning, and the five dogs in the back were eager to get home. The League works extensively in the townships caring for domestic animals. They provide treatment, education, neutering and rescue. Our days were full and never dull. I had been volunteering with them for a year and knew the routine. There was a general schedule to the day; a different mobile treatment site to see to, animals to return home after surgery or treatment, emergency rescues as required and deliveries to the clinic of all the sick or injured animals we encountered. Our job was a great one but tough; often sad and leaving one feeling hopeless. We sometimes had 150 or more people line up at our treatment sites, and often the animals were beyond help. A township in South Africa is not a place for high end pet care. We routinely saw severe cases of parasitic infestation, illness, injury and neglect. We were not able to save many of our patients. They were often so sick or so badly injured that we had no choice but to euthanize them. Funding and staffing limitations also were factors that affected our ability to save many of the homeless ones we rescued. There were some we had ‘brought right’ and found homes for, but most crossed the Rainbow Bridge. On a particularly bad day, 17 dogs had to be ‘put down’. Those were the kinds of days you felt you were trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. I wondered what kind of day lay ahead as we bumped over the dirt track on our detour. It didn’t take long for me to find out. We had gone perhaps 500 yards, when Patsy called out “Stop!” and rushed from the barely stopped vehicle. I was close behind her, and saw in the ditch a sight that stopped my breath. Lying at the bottom was a painfully thin Doberman/Shepard Cross with a rubber hose synched around her midriff. It was looped several times around her, with her right hind leg tied close to her body to hobble her. The hose was tight behind her ribs and seemed to have done extreme damage. She made no sound, or movement but for her eyes. They were full of anguish but never left our faces. We raced back to the truck for the gear we needed and Patsy cautioned me as she placed the soft lead around her neck “Mary, don’t forget, often when they are in that much pain, they defend themselves.” I really wasn’t thinking about much other than getting this pathetic dog out of her horror. I spoke gently to her as I climbed into the ditch with her and as I was cutting the pipe off realized it was tied with a hitch knot. She had been purposely tied like that, it was not an accident. I cut as quickly and as gently as I could, talking to her all the time. Telling her she was OK, that we would take care of her. I reached under her, to carry her back to the truck, fully expecting her too injured or weak to manage. She astonished us both by slowly standing and attempting to climb out of the ditch. The fact she was strong enough to do that was amazing. There was a dignity to her, a lack of panic that impressed me as I lifted her into my arms to carry the rest of the way to the truck. As I placed her in the back, we were face to face….her eyes now gentle and beseeching me. I was so overwhelmed with her trust in me, so moved by her spirit and courage that I needed to support myself against the truck. I knew what awaited her. I knew that the League was not an adoption agency. I was well versed in the harshest of the realities in a non-profit agency helping animals in a township. She would be euthanized before I ate my lunch. I just couldn’t let it happed to her. I had to try to give her a chance. As I got back into the cab, with tears running down my cheeks I said “Patsy, please….can we try and save her? If the vet says there is a chance….can I please try?” I felt like a kid again begging my Mom to let me keep one of the strays that always seemed to find me. I had grown up saving everything from turtles to husbands. That spirit had brought me 12,000 miles from Canada to South Africa. That same spirit drove Patsy too. She had devoted her life to this work and the angel that I am convinced is on Patsy’s shoulder had most undoubtedly directed her to make the detour. We agreed to wait for the vet’s decision. Saving this dog would mean my feeding and caring for her daily until she was either well enough to adopt out, or until she was travelled the bridge. I had done it many times before with death often the outcome rather than life. Many of the dogs were so affected by their background that the outcome was often sad. Immune system failure, socialization problems, complications of injuries or just failure to thrive were some of the complicated factors that worked against them. My South African co-workers often shook there heads at my bull-headedness and refusal to give up. Maybe that is what I saw in this dog, a sense of determination. Maybe I saw a kindred survivor in her beautiful eyes. Driving back to the clinic I must have said twenty times. “Whatever the vet decides”…. We got her to the clinic, and the pictures that still resonates in my mind is the one of her just before she was put in the kennel at the clinic…standing on visibly shaking legs, head down, ears flat. She had the look of Aushwitz. Holding on for dear life. I tried to keep my emotions in check while the vet examined her. She had no signs of distemper, mange or tick fever. She was given a reprieve. I had a chance. And I took it. For four months, I looked after her. I fed and nurtured her with all the love I possessed. She was gentle, loving, obedient and playful. Her body became strong and her spirit shone through. We called her Hope. I was given the task of finding her new home. As the Public Relations Officer for the AACL, I was able to access media to find a home for her. There were 20 phone calls the first day. It was quite a task, but her home was easy to find. I knew right away that Ken and Pam were perfect. They had visited her at the kennel. There was great rapport. I can remember standing back watching her find love with them. Beautiful people in a beautiful, loving home. Patsy and I talked about the success of Hope’s recovery as we drove her to her new life. I was not prepared for my reaction though. I was fine until we went with Pam and Ken onto their lovely back lawn. Hope bounded away from me across that green, cool expanse with such joy and freedom that I was brought to my knees with the power of her transformation. My vision was clouded by the memory of her gaze into my eyes that day in the truck. That moment in the garden reminded me of a reason for hope. Always.
Mary Kyle - 07/15/2005
marykyle@shaw.ca

I had wanted a dog for years. When my husband and I first moved in together four years ago, I would check the internet reguarly for puppies, any breed, any size, I didn't really care as long as it was a dog. Unfortunatly, our apartment complex wouldn't allow pets. But still I searched and searched, and my husband would even make my screen wallpaper into a puppy I had been in love with at the time. After 3 years, and a lot of dreaming, my husband and I moved into a house. I couldn't wait, I knew that very soon I would have a new loving companion. Again I went straight to Petfinder, looking for the perfect baby to bring home. I was dead set on a puppy, but it seemed that everyone else was as well, because all of my calls and e-mails came up as a dead end. I kept on it though, I had purposly insisted on a house with a fenced in backyard for my future dog to run and play in and I was determined not to give up. A month went by, and one day I saw the puppy I was sure I was destined to call my own. The shelter he was residing at was having an adoption day the next day not one hour from where we lived. I filled out the application form, and the next morning we were on our way. I could hardly contain my excitement as we pulled up the drive of the vet's office the event was being held at. I jumped out of the car, and immediatly started talking to one of the volunteers. She had read my application, and we had been approved, but the puppy had been adopted five minutes before we arrived. That's when I saw him. A beautiful husky mix, looking up at me with the biggest, darkest brown eyes I had ever seen. His whole body wiggled with excitment as we approched, there was no question I was in love. He was about a year or two old, the volunteer informed us. His name was Quincy, and he didn't bark once, he just wiggled and wiggled and loved and loved. We brought him home two days later. I slept on the couch bed with him while he recovred from his neutering. I swore to my mother that this dog did not bark, and, as mothers always know best, she laughed and told me he would. He did. He barked, he nipped, he couldn't walk on a leash, he ripped my clothes when he tried to play. I was not going to give up on him though, like someone else obviously already had. I enrolled us in obedience courses. He passed obedience one, and we both enjoyed it so much that we continued on with our training. Now Quincy excells in Agility classes. He's not an angel all the time, he's far too stubbern for that, but his behavior has improved greatly. I love him, he's my baby, and I could have never imagined how much such an animal could mean to someone until I brought him home. He sleeps with me every night, follows at my heels all day, and gives me the unconditional love that I could have never found from anything else. He was definatly the dog I was supposed to get, and I was the human meant for him.
Jean Marie Marchese - 07/15/2005
happy_kat@tellurian.com

Chelsea Louise Cusumano was rescued from the Lexington Animal Shelter two hours before she was scheduled to be euthanized. She was this floppy earred pup who stood next to the gate door while her siblings layed huddled against the wall. I climbed into the pen and she immediately started to untie my shoes. I tried to wake up the others in the pen and she would not hear of it. I was to pay attention to her! My husband and I just lost our golden retriever and we were grieving very hard. My husband was at a meeting and I was trying to occupy my time waiting for him to finish. I was not going to take another dog home that day. I wanted another golden retriever. But, there she was determined to get my attention and hold it. Needless, to say in one hour I was back at the meeting site waiting for my husband to emerge. When he did come out Chelsea walked out from the behind the bush like on cue. "Hello", she seemed to say. "I am going home with you!" She was six weeks old that day. She had been abandoned, spayed and was scheduled to die all in her short life. But, she found us and made sure that we knew she was there to ease our hurt and to bring joy to our lives. That was seven years ago! Six months ago we noticed a lump on her leg. Like always she never complained. We took her to our vet how gave us the news that she had bone cancer and needed to have her front right leg amputated immediately! When we came to take her home that afternoon she walked right out to us. Just like nothing had happend. A week later the vet called to say that it had spread and she would have a life expentancy of maybe three months if we were lucky! A week ago she finally told us that she could not go on any longer. Her time was up with us here and she needed to go on. "What an amazing seven years mom", she seemed to say the last seconds of her life as she looked into my eyes before taking her last breath. And it was!!! My Chelsea girl, you are so missed and so loved. Thank you for all your laughter, love and great news articles. Everyone in town misses you and your antics!
Sandie Cusumano - 07/15/2005
scusum@alltel.net

Little did I know when I opened my New Age Shoppe on June 13th 1995 that a year later I would be penniless and my hardest decision would be not whether or not to close my store but what to do with my dog. It was December of 95 when two High School students came into my Shoppe to inform me that they had found a dog wandering the hallways at their school. The dog had been seen roaming free in the area for a couple of weeks. They were on their way to the S.P.C.A and wanted to know if I had any interest in her before taking her in. She was a mid sized black lab and greyhound cross. As soon as I saw her I felt as if i had been touched by the wings of an Angel. I took her and an immediate spiritual bond was formed. I called her Kitty! It was obvious from the beginning that she had been abused as you couldnt raise your hand to scratch your head without frightening her. However with every passing day her faith in me grew as did our bond. With her mine was a heart that rejoices and a soul that soars with the angels. As my love for her grew my personal and financial life fell apart. I had invested everything into the shoppe and was losing it all. She with her unswerving devotion gave me strength and courage in my time of need. When i realized that i must close the shoppe as i had lost every penny i had in it , i also came to the conclusion that i couldnt afford my apartment... I decided to leave town with the clothes on my back and live on the streets somewhere where nobody knew me. What was i to do with Kitty , a sweet and precious soul who had the beauty of heaven in her eyes. I had found a cousin to take her in but a few days before i was going to leave he changed his mind. I couldnt abandon her and i would not make her carry my choice of homelessness. At times like these one must listen to their spirit. My spirit directed me to my parents who did want a pet but saw how broken my heart was and accepted Kitty with open arms. They have a big house with a big yard , she would be happy there. Eight years later she is still with my parents , she is happy and a fixture in their home and lives. Giving her up even though i had her a mere six months had been the hardest thing i had ever done. The unconditional love and spiritual devotion she gave me helped me accept my past and embrace my future. I lived on the streets for a number of months having survived homelessness and depression. These days i am a psychic , poet and spiritual advisor . I get to see Kitty whenever i visit my parents. Like a wind that nurtures , the love of a fellow animal can heal ones heart and caress ones soul. What a beautiful harvest love is. I Thank Kitty for hers is a spirit in harmony with the soul. She has enriched and enlightened my life. She has a remarkable gentleness that inspires one to look within. Bless the breath of life that brought her to me. Micheal Teal The Ancient One http://www.bardic.on.ca/ancient
Micheal Teal - 07/15/2005
pastlife@hotmail.com

The Fall of 2003 proved to be the most heart wrenching period of my life. However morbid this may sound, I nursed my 16 year old 'love-of-my-life' cat to death. My parents rallied around and helped with the tube feedings etc. In the end my WONDERFUL veterinarian came to our home to help Mr. PurrPurr leave his earthly home. Everyone involved - including the vet who had delivered this little guy into the world - was in tears. WHERE IS THE DOG STORY - you are asking - - -Well a few months later I went to the local shelter to get another cat. I walked in the door and there sitting next to the door was a cat that looked identical to the one I had just lost - I fell apart. As I backed out the door and sobbingly made my way around the building, I passed a gate. I was unaware this shelter had dogs. Thinking that any animal cheers me up - and I couldn't POSSIBLY run into something that looked like a Tabby - I opened the gate. There was a long line of pens with dogs jumping, flipping, barking and howling like crazed animals - except one. There was a mass of white fur. I approached the pen. The name said 'Dreamer' on the pen and she had the most BEAUTIFUL eyes. She kept cringing and looking at all the other dogs like 'oh PLEASE settle down'. I opened her pen door and that was it - I was hooked. The screening process was horrendously strict so I went to the shelter every day. I needed to make certain that Dreamer and I would work together. My dad said I had lost my mind - going on and on and on about how much trouble she would be. uh - that was before he met her. Dreamer (now Aubrey) was delivered to my house and passed the test with my two kitties. The following weekend I took her on a road trip to meet Mom and Dad. Somehow she knew that Dad was the one she needed to win over. HOOKED - she was sooooo cute. Her only job was to reel him in - and THAT she did! LONG story short - Aubrey is a BEAUTIFUL white fluffy dog who weighs about 25 lb. People flock to her when we are walking or at the park - "what kind of dog is that???" She is no longer the shrinking violet. She really is a PERFECT dog. She has never caused a problem. She is quiet (sadly we cannot get her to bark - and when she does muster a 'woof' - she ducks - someone has beaten the bark out of her :-( ). She is AWESOME with children and loves to run and play (but not with other dogs). She is one of those dogs with a 'happy' face - always smiling! While nothing could replace PurrPurr - I know Aubrey and I had a little 'help' in finding each other. My little kitty was watching over us both.
DBrady - 07/15/2005
McKinPurr@aol.com

The Story of Ruger (Ru) When the average person is presented with the words "dog rescue" they often conjure up a mental image of militant animal rights activists stealing from home to home under the cover of darkness, stealing dogs who are chained up in backyards and unloved and uncared for; nursing them back to health with around the clock medical attention, then unable to part with their charges, surrounded by dozens of large, mixed breed dogs they have saved. In reality, dog rescue often involves listening to people tell us on the telephone why they can no longer keep their beloved pets and wanting us to take the dog off their hands. Or it means taking already abandoned dogs from shelters so they don't get so stressed and anxious they become unadoptable. Sometimes it's finding strays and placing them in new homes when they old homes don't come forward. This doesn't mean we aren't saving lives every day; it's just that the dogs that come to us, more often then not, come from relatively mundane circumstances and have no wild tales to tell. Occasionally, however, we do rescue dogs from circumstances too horrible to be imagined. (We are proud to always obtain our dogs through legal channels.) The abused, the beaten, the deliberately abandoned ... all have come through our doors in search of their forever homes. And sometimes, the tales they would tell, if they could only talk, would break your heart. Sometimes you know just by looking at them. I have a special fondness for Red Dogs, so when a fellow rescuer told me "We need you to assist this dog" I was helpless before him. I had no room for another rescue dog, but I couldn't turn him down. I heard his story and was doubly determined to help. I began to call on my friends and fellow rescuers, the people without whom we could not save as many dogs as we do. And as always, one of these kind souls came forward to help - not to help me, but to help Ruger. Ruger, you see, was an Unloved Dog. He was a breeding stud, good for nothing except making puppies - puppies are, in turn, the money makers. So this beautiful, young, intelligent dog was left chained to a doghouse for 24 hours a day, only let loose when he was needed for stud. His coat was dirty and so matted that he was developing sores as the skin twisted and pulled with the snarled hair. His nails were long and broken. His eyes were full of fear. Horribly, he had a large shaved patch on his neck where the shock collar he wore sat to remind him who was boss. Why a shock collar? Because Ruger is an smart dog. He knew he was better than the miserable existence he was chained to. He was determined to change his fate. So Ruger ran away, whenever he could. He always ran to the same place, and the kind woman who took him in was appalled and full of anger that when the owner would come to retrieve him, he would shock Ruger repeatedly - one, two, nine, ten times - to instruct him to get back in the truck and return to his substandard life of cruelty and mistreatment. The dog would cry and shake and though every fibre of his being told him to run, the collar on his neck told him to obey. But someone was looking out for Ruger because one day he ran away and this time, no one came looking for him. The kind woman who had always regretted returning him in the past decided she would have no more regrets. She took Ruger in, removed the terrible instrument of torture from around his neck, and simply waited. When no owner appeared after the legally required number of days, she now owned this dog. And she signed him over to rescue. When Ruger arrived, he made us all cry. The poor dog was the most vile case of maltreatment we had ever seen come to our doors, and yet he greeted everyone in his path with a wag of his chewed up tail and a hug was accepted from all open arms. Ruger knew he was safe, and he was grateful. He was the kind of dog that you just wanted to envelop in your arms and keep forever. And this time, his foster home did. I am a foster home for IBCR of BC. I have like and even loved each dog that has come into my house, even cried when letting them go to their new forever home. Sheena knew I had just got my new puppy ( I had been waiting 3 years for this BC pup ) I said no rescues at all until I had my pup trained. I was thinking about 6 to 8 months. I had had my pup for about a month. July 16 or 17 I got an email; subject line "Desperate". In the first line Sheena said she knew I didn't want to take on another dog at this point, just asked that I read the story about him.... she wrote "I will totally understand if you can't take him...." I read the story, and was in tears before I finished. He was badly abused, and no training, not even 'sit'. I wrote back "when is he coming, where do I pick him up?" Pick up was set Sunday July 21st at the border crossing. When I met him the first time I reached out to get his collar and found only mats, again I cried. He crumbled in my arms, and looked up with his incredible loving eyes and I melted. I said to my husband right then, I don't know how I will give this one up. He didn't know toys, or balls, was afraid of sticks, hands, feet or any quick movement. Raise your voice a little or a man's voice sharply, he would drop down and roll on his back. Each day I spent at least an hour brushing out mats. He would not eat, he seemed afraid of eating. He would only take very small amounts from my hand, as long as I kept saying "good boy", and held him in my arms. He weighed only 27 lbs and should be about 45 lbs. There was no muscle at all. After a week and a half he started eating on his own. Loves all toys, too much, and after 4 weeks found out the ball is the greatest toy of all. Time to be neutered so he can be adopted, now that he is doing so well. I got a phone call 2 days after he was neutered, wanting to come and see him. That when I suspected no on would be good enough, in my eyes. More people started asking for him, and I was making a lot of excuses why he wasn't ready. I would feel sick just thinking about him leaving. So after such a long story, I have decided to keep him. I went from 1 Border Collie to 3 in one month. One 7 y/o a 3 month old pup, and a completely untrained, crazy, high drive, dog that never stays still. He has a big piece of my heart, and he just fits here. This is his home. Forever. People say that Ru is lucky to have me, but I feel it is the other way around. It is my good fortune that he has found me. It is a year and a half and still every time I look at him I am in awe of his beauty, inside and out. He is a Gift.
Cheryl Cooper - 07/15/2005
borderluver@telus.net

The tale of Tanna the dog! Almost two years ago I was surfing on the internet and just happend to come across a group of Swedish volunteers who helped Spanish shelters to rehome the unwanted and too often abused dogs of Spain. I had no plans whatsoever of getting a dog, long working hours and living in a 2 bedroom apartment didn't seem fair to a dog, so to satisfy my innate need to be close to canines I frequently visited the local shelter and helped them socialize the dogs. Back to my surfing the internet!! There she was!! The cutest little brown dog, what can I say.. it was love at 1st sight! A week later I got the good news, Tanna was going to be mine and come all the way to Sweden from Spain! I made all the neccesary arrangements for her arrival and made sure she would never be alone during the day and told my boss, "no more long hours!" Tanna lived with a spanish couple for the first 5 years of her life, a police man and his wife in a little town just outside Barcelona, Spain. Then one day the couple had to move and for some reason Tanna wasn't welcome any longer! Her master brought her to vet to have her put down but luckily an elderly woman stopped him and told him that this small beautiful dog deserved another change! She was brought to the shelter and soon her picture was on the internet and she was up for adoption. Before Tanna could travel she was going to be neutered, as she was waking up from the anestetics she saw her chance and made a run for it! 3 days later a man called the shelter and asked what his dog was doing back at his house!? It was Tannas former owner.. she had found her way back to the family she loved and trusted and who once again betrayed her and left her at the shelter. Today 2 years later Tanna still hates being left with strangers so whenever I'm forced to leave her for a couple of days it is only to trusted friend that know her well, otherwise we do everything together. Other then that you'ld never know that her trust has been broken, she's ever so loving and loyal. 4 days after her arrival from Spain I took of her lead wondering whether she would make a run for it and head back to spain.. she never left my side, well except for chasing the occational rabbit that has crossed our path! :) Tanna inspired me to study and learn about/from dogs. I just got my diploma as a Dog instructor at a infamous Swedish Canine institute and will continue my studies later this year to become a Canine behaviourist.. all thanks to my Spanish stray. I love my dog and she has found her forever home at my side... I only hope I am worthy of her! My warmest thanks to all you people outthere who have chosen to give a canine friend a second change! Love Elsie & Tanna Stockholm, Sweden
Else Pedersen and Tanna the dog - 07/15/2005
else.pedersen@chello.se

My family lives in a small town high in the Colorado Rockies. When my daughter was young we lived next door to a drunk and his Rottie, named Crunch. Crunch had a fearsome reputation, having bitten several people and was indeed scary if he was chained. His owner chained him to the bottom of the stairs that my 7 year old daughter had to walk up coming home from school. The jerk often forgot to feed him, almost never left him water, summer or winter, never let him in, no matter how cold it got and when Crunch would come up to him, hoping for a pat and a kind word, the turd would kick him away. I was concerned for my daughter's safety, though he never growled at her. At the time I didn't own a dog, only 3 cats, but I bought a big bag of dog food, fed him twice a day and made sure that there was always water for him. You know, I can't remember now if I swiped his collar in the winter or summer, I just remember that the poor dog was so uncomfortable on this heavy short chain. I figured that the drunk wouldn't bother to replace the collar, as that would cut into his beer and cigarettes. Crunch came home with me - must have been summer, because I remember him standing at the open door, with his head cocked, as if to say, "Can I come visit?" I invited him in. That first time he only stayed a few moments and then went back and lay at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for his master. But gradually he would come to visit for longer stays and eventually would just stay at our house, especially as winter came on. Winter in the Rockies can be brutal, especially for a short haired dog. During the first winter, he tried to be available for his master, as much as possible, but the bozo didn't seem to miss him or to care. After that he just stayed with us, and stayed inside if the weather were bad. 5 years after we first fed him, we moved across town, though only a couple of blocks away. I didn't feel comfortable actually transporting Crunch with us but even as we were moving, he came to visit and moved in with us in our new house. He lived with us there (with the addition of several other dogs - all of whom had to answer to the "Drill Sergeant" - and all of whom are more well mannered for his gentle ministrations) for another 3 years - to the age of almost 15. He passed away in our backyard, resting on his blanket, visited by his dog and people friends. His first years were pretty miserable but his last years were filled with his love for us and ours for him. Good food, clean water, a sunny backyard and daily brushing. His eyes and his tongue told us every time we petted or hugged or brushed him just how much he appreciated us. I think the only sadness to those years was that periodically he would go visit his previous owner and he just never got the love from him he so wanted and deserved. Then he got too old to handle the hills and I told the guy that Crunches' time was limited, that he should come say good-bye, but he never did. He did thank me one time, for taking Crunch in. And after all that reputation, Crunch was always the perfect gentleman - he only growled at the puppies, and then just for effect. Heck his people (though not another dog) could take a bone out of his mouth and he'd just give you a sad look that said "I don't understand, don't I deserve that treat?" We miss Crunch, though we love our other 3 dogs dearly too. I thank God we had the opportunity to become friends with such a special soul.
Karelle Scharff - 07/15/2005
karelles@earthlink.net

We found our dog Jazzmin, who is a pit bull on the side of the Bronx River Parkway Bronx, NY. She was on the edge of the traffic lane contemplating whether to cross traffic. We saw her and circled back on the highway. We approched her very slowly and carefully and she basically came right over to us looking for help. She was without tags, a leash or a coller. She came with us very trusting and willingly and got in the car. We called local shelters to see if she belonged to anyone, but we didn't find anyone missing her. She was dirty and hungry and was so happy to be with us. We took her to get checked by a vet and get her shots. The vet said that she had a swollen belly and that it might mean a couple of things. She was going in heat or possibly pregnant. They held off on vaccinating her to see if she got any bigger then we would know that she was pregnant. Well it end up that she was and that it was pretty clear that she had several litters before. The vet said that she was probably being used as a breeding machine and was getting old for the job and was tossed out. She is about 5 years old. The puppies were due within two weeks of us finding her so it was all happening kind of fast. She went into labor and was struggling. Her first was born still and the next four she just left after giving birth to. We had to bring them to her to nurse. She went several hours laboring and then into the next day before the next one. We stayed up with her all night and realized that one was stuck in her and we had to reach in and basically pull it out. It was still born also. Four more were born after that. She was exhausted. The next 24 hours she started to get very sick. Throwing up blood and her eyes were turning grey. She completed rejected the pups. We took her to the emergancey hospital and they gave us an estimate for $1500 for just test and xrays to give us a daignosis. I didn't have that much money to spend on tests so I asked them to treat her the best they could with antibiotics and I would get her to the vet in the morning. They didn't think that she would make it through the night. We had 7 pups at home that hadn't eaten in several hours. It was about 10:30 on a Sunday night and we called evrywhere and found an animal hospital in Mnahattan that was open until 11pm that had puppy formula. We started racing there with Jazzmin laying in the back seat. We stopped a police officer and asked if he would escort us through the traffic lights because we had a medical emergancy with our dogs. They looked at each other and said I don't think we do that and pulled off. We made it anyway and we bought puppy formula that couts $6.50 a can. They had to eat every 2 hours by bottle. Jazzmin made it through the night and we got her to the vet. She had a toxic uterous that had to be removed, but we had to wait for her to regain some strength to sustain the surgery. I got a call at work and the vet said that she had made a turn for the worse and that he would have to do the surgery now or loose her. He said it would cost $2500. I asked him if he took VISA and he did. He gave her 10% chance. She lost a lot of blood and needed transfussions. The surgery had complications and took two hours longer than he said that it would. He almost lost her on the table but she pulled through. He said that she had a tremendous will to live and was a true fighter. She stayed on IV for a few days and we picked her up. Her eyed showed so much gratitute and her expression was worth a thousand words. We lost three more of the pups because of their underdeveloped immune system. We found a home for two and kept two. They are healthy overall, but one is blind in one eye. Jazzmin loves us so much. She is eternally grateful to us and a day does not go by that she is not living proof of her love,loyalty and deication to please us.
Gerri Di Sisto - 07/15/2005
gdisisto@gabelli.com

Loved your book, my mom gave it to my brother for Christmas.I am the Program Manager for the Agriculture Canine Unit of Dept. Of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection. Now part of the bigger Federal Dog Pack of what use to be Immigration, Customs, and Agriculture. You wrote about one of the Customs Canine, Popsicle. Lee Titus is now my boss.In the event you decide to write another book, we would love for you to do a story on one of our dogs from the "Beagle Brigade" most of our dogs are adopted from shelters as well. We have over 126 teams located at International Airports, Land Borders, International Mail Facilities and Cargo areas.My office number is 202-927-0218. Thanks, dlw :)
Donna L. West - 07/15/2005
Donna.L.West@dhs.gov

My husband always joked that we should bye one of those slap on sirens for the roof of the car and a magnetic sign for the door that says "Ellie's Animal Rescue". I have been haunted for over 25 years about something I did as a child, and have been paying for it internally, ever since by being obsessed with saving stray dogs. Wehn I was around 7 years old, our next door neighboor had this big, lovable St. Bernard named Jack. I played with him everyday after school, and on the weekends. Some little kids have imaginary friends, I had Jack. I loved Jack so much. One day, I walked over to the driveway and saw that Jack was chained up to a door handle in the garage - attached to his collar. I went into "rescue mode" and decided that Jack should NOT be chained up, that he should be free to play with me and roam! I picked the lock with something, I don't remember, and at once, Jack was free! I remember saying "YAYYY!" - Like I had acheived something great. We played, and later I went home for dinner. That evening I overheard my mother on the phone with the neighbor, who was apparently distraught about something. My mom hung up and came over to me and asked me if I had seen Jack that day. Being a child, not wanting to get in trouble, my jerk reaction was to lie, so I said "No, why?". It turned out that the reason Jack was locked up was because the neighbor had been warned that the dog catcher was driving around and would pick him up (he didn't have tags, don't know why to this day - doesn't matter) - so she wanted him safe and not to be free to be caught and taken. Well, Jack was picked up all right. And given to another family as a result, the neighbor decided that it was too much work to try to keep a St. Bernard around and that he needed a better life on a farm. I never saw Jack again. My heart was forever changed and scarred. Now, it is 2004, and I have been hunting down strays ever since. This is the story of Abigail, my highway dog. The best bandaid ever for my Jack scars, as I call them. I was driving to my hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, from my current residence of Houston, Texas - I was heading for my wedding! I wanted to get to Hot Springs by Wednesday night - so I would have 2 good days before the Saturday wedding, with my friends. I had to work late and couldn't leave before the sun went down, and to add mo