Animal Rescue Stories

Jazmine - who won our hearts!

Last year our family was the owner of a Rat Terrier named Jack. He is 12 years old (I have had him since he was a puppy). My daughter, Jordan 5, kept begging us for a "big" dog. She loved Jack, but she wanted someone for him to play with - "because he's lonely!"

So, on May 31, 2008, spur of the moment, we decided to visit the Sullivan County Animal Shelter. We were instantly overwhelmed by dogs. But, plain as day, the only dog we really see is her. A one year old, mostly white husky stray. We patted her for a moment, then decide to see what other dogs were available. For some reason, we just kept coming back to her. Finally, a worker asked if we would like to walk her. He raved about how wonderful she was and told us she was everyone's favorite.

Well, needless to say, we came home with her. Our Jazmine. She is full of spunk and Jack loves having a big sister to play with. She loves people and animals. She was very easy to train. And, now I am working with her to become a therapy dog. From pound puppy to therapy dog. She has filled our hearts with love and understanding. Adopting her was one of the best things we ever did. Shelter dogs just need that loving chance to be family.

Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed. -Storm Jameson

Jonnie Leonard
Bristol, TN

Frank & Maggie Save the Day!

Several years ago our Jack Russell Maggie and JRT/hound mix Frank were exploring the mountains around our Smokey Mountains home, a favorite activity.
I heard some anxious barking and looked out the kitchen door: There were Maggie and Frank looking at me expectantly. Between them stood a (relatively) huge but bony and shaky young dog. He looked like a Ridgeback/Great Dane mix. His face, chest and front legs had bad scrapes and scabs on them.
My husband fell in love immediately and named him Eddie. When we took him to the vet to be looked over, she told us he had probably been rolled out of a car or truck on a back road--hence the injuries. A Christmas puppy who got too big. And he was a day or two away from starving.
He's happy and healthy now and is very generous with his love and attention. We adore him, and we're extra proud of Maggie and Frank for saving him.

Robin / NC

Robin Smith
Candler, NC

Petey aka Twinkletoes

Petey and I found one another one weekend at a craft show about 2 hours away in upstate New Jersey. I was there as an artist and he was there with a rescue group. I loved him the moment I saw him, but I had to get the stamp of approval from my 12 yr old Corgi, Cooper. We had just lost our 14yr Golden Retriever, Mr. Wilson and I wasn't sure if Cooper would accept a new dog. I put in the adoption papers that day and drove back up two days later with Cooper for them to meet. It was a 2 paws up from Cooper!! They became pals instantly. Petey brought new life to Cooper and to me. Petey has such joy and love to share with anyone he meets that his nickname is now Twinkletoes.

Diana Contine
New Hope, PA

The cat who knew St. Francis

Four years ago in March, we noticed a scraggley, scrawney gray tabby darting in and out of the woods that surround our house. It was obvious that he was very young and very frightened and very hungry.
I began leaving tuna and cat food out on our deck, but the furtive little feline would only venture near when we were hidden from sight.
We began noticing the little fellow curled up at the foot of our statue of St Francis which overlooks our pond. Often our starving friend would sleep at the feet of the statue. I called our neighbors to see the young fellow and his choice of sleeping area.
That was four years ago, Frankie has long since acclimated to life in and around our home. He speaks a beautiful language, unlike any other cat I have ever heard. We often wonder if he knew that St Francis is considered a "Friend of Animals" or if it was just a happy coincidence. Either way, Frankie is a loving addition to our growing pet household.

Mimi Sabo
Bayville, NJ

Helping Hands

Brownie came to us from an overcrowded shelter in Indiana: considered a senior dog at eight, underweight, sick and neglected, she was on the list for euthanasia, the fate for most dogs like her. The sheleter manager must have seen something in her eyes that made him take her into his office, a sort of foster care, which bought time until a real foster family could be found. A few weeks later, Brownie went to live with Ann, the best foster mom on the planet! Three weeks with Ann, on her road to recovery, Brownie was given another chance with CanINE Express, a wonderful transport program that brings dogs from overcrowded shelters in Indiana to shelters throughout New England. Brownie landed at the NHSPCA in Stratham, NH where she struggled with life in a kennel: whining, pacing and nervous. No one asked questions about the old brown dog or wanted to take her out for a walk. A month passed and only having been walked by volunteers, Brownie seemed desperate. Maybe that is why my husband and I started asking questions about the old German Shorthaired Pointer. We took Brownie for a walk, and September 1, 2006 we brought her home. Three years and going strong, we still keep in touch with the people who saw life in an old brown dog...with THOSE helping hands it was ALL possible.

Stacy Hamilton
Cheshire, CT

Buddy

Eight years ago, a Labrador-Rottweiler mix puppy wandered into the car repossession lot where my daughter worked as a secretary. Buddy became a favorite of everyone in the office, being allowed to sit inside the office during the hot day. But as winter began to come along, they knew they could not leave him living outside in the car lot. We adopted Buddy as a companion for our son, and he has now become a favorite companion for our 2 small grandchildren as well. Buddy's sweet temperament and his terrible fear of thunderstorms has become a natural part of our family life. It is hard for us to imagine what life would have been like if Buddy had never joined our family.

Summer Day Hannah
Norman, OK

Alive by the GRACE of God!

So there I was. A freshman in college on my way back to my college apartment after a weekend with my family. I had tears in my eyes the whole way home, partly because I hated leaving my family, and partly because the stress of a whole new life was really getting to me. But as I rounded a corner on my way home, something in my head told me to pay careful attention to the road, and I did. And sure enough, this TINY kitten was right in the middle of the road. And as I neared her, she lifted her head up off of the road almost as if she were saying "Yes, I'm alive. And yes, I need you". More tears began welling in my eyes, because this was the LAST thing I needed at the moment! I couldn't afford a cat, didn't have time to pay attention to her, and on top of that, my apartment didn't allow animals! But I reluctantly stopped and picked her up. I immediatly knew in my heart that she was a girl, and her name was Grace. She had blood coming out of her mouth and what looked like a broken leg, and I just knew she wasn't going to live through the night. But she did. And before you knew it, her "broke" leg was better, and she was wandering all over. She did a complete turnaround in a very short amount of time, and was soon good as new. She is my sunshine, most definetly a spitfire and the best thing to come home to after a long day! And that's my Grace. Alive by the GRACE of God, who knew I needed her just as badly as she needed me!! : )

Sarah
Savannah, GA

A Life of Love

It started 30 yrs, my life's work. A nurse who, treated each patient as I would be treated myself. It ended while assisting. I hurt my back, worse than ever. Oh God, I thought I would never function again. Crying in my pillow after seeing many doctors who said "there's nothing we can do." My job said they could only hold my position so long and then I would lose it! I saw every doctor that could help me. I began to look for places to hang my noose. My kids are raised, I was in constant severe pain,. I wanted to end it. My grandaughter thought of a dog. It was silly, with dog hair all over the house, another mouth, bathing, brushing, etc. "Grandma let me help you." I then my priorities: 1 NO shedding 2 Smaller dog 3 White 4 House broken 5.No biting 6. preferably a rescue 7. spayed or neutered 8. current shots 9. one my husband tolerates. 10.barks at strangers
She Did It! with several dogs at boot! There's my Lissy, sitting there, all fuzzy + white. Contacted them pronto, and found her in a foster home. She was waiting for me. It was a perfect fit. I started living again, and she didn't care if I was goofy on pain pills or not. We started going for short walks. She sleeps next to me. She alerts me when someone's at my door. My husband calls her "THE MIRACLE DOG" In providing me with good company she actually gives me a good rehab. I take less pain pills, I walk more, I can do little things again. OH my God she is so wonderful, she gives me unconditional love. A miracle all around! She found her forever home and I found my forever love.

Bonnie
Stoughton, WI

Snowman

Snow was a stray cat that came around daily for almost three years. In the harsh winter months I would put him up in the shed where he had his own space. One day in the early part of autumn I had noticed some blood under his leg. As I got a closer look I knew he needed to see a vet. I took him to the vets and it was amazing how docile this sweet creature was in the pet taxi. The vet cleaned the wound gave me some medicine and also mentioned what a sweet demeanor he had. I knew right then that this was now my cat. He had some test and he did test positive for the Feline FIV. I thought that was the end. The vet said that some can live a very full life with this sickness. This was a chance I was willing to take. It took about two weeks for his wound to heal. After that back to the vets he went. He received all his shots was neutered and I am happy to say that almost four years later I still have my Snow. He could care less if he ever sees the outdoors again. He's so very content being an indoor cat, and I love him to pieces.

Kim Seeman
Vermilion, OH

Lucky

My husband brought Lucky home 8 years ago after finding him in the road. He was a very little kitten, only about 2 weeks old. After much TLC he has grown into the very lovable cat you see now. He purrs very loudly and gets even louder when my husband is near. Lucky is a great family member and we are very glad to have him with us.

Donna S.
Centerton, AR