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Animal Rescue Stories

Read heartfelt stories of rescue, and share your rescued animal stories with others.

My Russian Olov Trotter

My Russian Olov Trotter

Not many people in the United States know about the Olov Trotter and I was one of them til 6 weeks ago. I rescued one from some people that had neither the time or money to keep a horse, much less the knowledge of what it takes to keep one. This magnificent creature was once a famous Troika horse and came over to the US sometime in the 90's. As I am still learning about him, I am finding that I have a true treasure, more so than I thought! This is such a interesting breed that I urge everyone to Google Olov Trotter and see what I have found. The Olov Trotter came to be from the breeding of an Arabian and Fresian or other large boned warmblood. But you can read about that at any one of the websites you will find.

But back to my new love. He is 23 years old and has a wonderful heart and soul. Every time I see him, tears flow that people could have gotten him to the point that he was at when I rescued him and smiles when he sees me and comes to greet me with a soft touch of his nose to my arm. As I hug him around the neck, he leans into me and gives me what I am giving him...love. I am very blessed to have found this horse and I hope that we have many years between us!

Pamela Hamlin
Massillon, OH
A second chance at love

A second chance at love

After we purchased a lemon beagle from Petland (a reported puppy mill patronizer), he became vicious at 5 mos. old and bit a lot of people with some requiring stitches. Our vet said he was a perfect example of puppy mill mass reproduction and in-breeding and was mentally ill. We had to put him to sleep and this destroyed our family. To help our hearts heal, we went to TLC, a local adoption facility and we adopted a 4 mo. old Coon Hound mix, who was brought up here to the Chicago area from the flooding disasters in Kentucky. Hence, he is named Tucker. He has mended our hearts and more. He has basically become the head of the house and has brought more love and laughs than we ever imagined. He's our new best friend and an absolute joy!

The Stapleton Family
Downers Grove, IL
One Rainy Day turns BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES

One Rainy Day turns BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES

This is 20 (twenty) he found me on a very nasty rainy day in June 2008. He was covered in motor oil, a very bad skin infection, belly worms and very underfed. I was driving down the road (20th street) and stopped to let him pass. Instead he came up to my door and put his paws on my window. HOW COULD I SAY NO?!?! We have been together now almost a year and I couldn't be happier with my decision to invite him home. He is great with other dogs and kids. Who could ask for more? I strongly believe that he was a "bait dog" due to the fact that any aggression whatsoever given by another dog freaks him out! lol he's a Lab stuck in a Pit bull body! Sweetest most gentle Pit Bull I've ever met. My best friend 20. love at first glance

Michelle
Saint Petersburg, FL
Trash and Treasure

Trash and Treasure

Life began for Carl Lee in a trash strewn alley, born to a too-young feral mother. After capturing him and his sister we used them to assist us in the Trap-Neuter-Return of the little mama kitty - she will not have to worry about any more litters! We make certain Carl Lee doesn't have to worry about much of anything; he has grown into a lovely, healthy and affectionate boy in his forever home with us.

Clare and Steve
Atlanta, GA
Home, not Alone

Home, not Alone

One might never guess from this languid pose that Charleston was once a very scared baby boy, found crying in front of our door at 6:00am. We took him in and none of us ever looked back; it was as if he belonged right there with us all along. Everyone from veterinarians to house guests agree that he is a complete sweetheart and he insists on "mothering" all the rescued kitties who've followed. We love him dearly.

Clare and Steve
Atlanta, GA
Her Royal Highness

Her Royal Highness

On a scorching hot afternoon in July of 1999 the last place we expected to find a tiny black kitten was the asphalt parking lot in front of our apartment. A couple of passers by claimed she was a stray so when she followed up three flights of stairs and through the front door that was that. All the love, affection and hearty meals that followed were simply her due - after all she is obviously of royal blood. May we proudly present Princess Savannah!

Clare and Steve
Atlanta, GA
From abandoned farm cat to ruler of the roost

From abandoned farm cat to ruler of the roost

We found 'Ginger Jim' at a farm where my friend was working. He and other cats had been dumped off there by people who thought that a farm was a good place to leave cats they no longer wanted.
Poor Ginger Jim had a tumour hanging off his rear paw, so he limped along behind us on our farm tour.
Of course, we couldn't leave him behind! 2 years later he has doubled in weight and although he had to have a toe amputated to remove the tumour, he is the most loving and quirky cat. He is the 'brother' to 3 other rescue cats and 2 rescue dogs! Please make rescue & adoption your first and only choice!

Toni
Felton, PA
The Big One

The Big One

It's hard to believe this big beautiful boy was once a tiny, scrappy kitten about to be left on the street. He was the last of a litter some kids were handing out and they were ready to walk away and leave him. That was many years ago; we just celebrated Beauregard's twelfth birthday!

Clare and Steve
Atlanta, GA
Gabe's the mostly good boy

Gabe's the mostly good boy

After my Schnauzer-mix died a year earlier at 16 years old, I was feeling blue and knew I needed another doggy in my life. I found Gabe on a mini Schnauzer rescue site. He was only a year and a half, and had obviously been through a lot. As soon as he arrived I picked him up and he put his head on my shoulder like a little baby. I was smitten! He still loves to be held like a baby, and he travels with me everywhere. We've been together 3 years now and I can't imagine life without him!

Debra Gold
Boston, MA
Lulu, my precious connection to my grandmother

Lulu, my precious connection to my grandmother

Lulu (Tutti, Talulah Petunia, Tutti Petunia, Tutti Tuna) was adopted by a nursing home where my late grandmother lived the last 5 years of her life. They adopted her from the local animal shelter and had her declawed (a practice I'm vehemently opposed to) so that she couldn't hurt the elderly people living there. Almost immediately, Lulu made her home in my grandmother's room, and became her best friend. I lived over an hour away but every Sunday I would spend the day with Mama Grace & Lulu would run to the front entrance talking (quacking) when I arrived. She was always so happy to see me and I brought her a bed, food & water bowls & toys to keep in Mama Grace's room. We played kitty games all afternoon on Sundays & she would ride around on my shoulder to visit everyone there. The nurses were amazed at how she always responded to me but hid most of the time unless she was in Mama Grace's room.

After a few years, a new director came to work there and wanted to "get rid" of Lulu. I had always told them I wanted her to come live with my kitties & me if that were to ever happen so they asked me first. Of course I said yes and my grandmother was so happy about it because she also loved Lulu very much.

That was in 2001 & today at almost 13 years old, she is still happy, healthy, loves her kitty siblings & her mommy (me). She travels with me often to her "aunt Janet's" home when I travel for work & loves to visit her "cousin" kitties. She is simply amazing & I know my Mama Grace smiles down on Lulu & me every day from heaven.

Terry
Hartselle, AL