Animal Rescue Stories

Not the Pyrfect Pyrenees

Me and my sweet boy Yukon "Yukie", a Great Pyrenees needed each other. He had just had two leg surgeries from being hit by a car, and I had just lost the sweetest boy I've ever owned, much too soon. Yukie became mine 9/07.I thought he was out of the woods with his leg issues, but his limping got worse. Xrays showed a grade 4 patellar luxation in his "good" leg, but everything else was fine. At the end of January '09 he got his leg repaired. For the first time I can take him for a walk now and I can tell it doesn't hurt him. However a recent visit to the vet confirmed he has the same issue with his other knee. So sadly this poor, sweet, not yet 3 year old baby of mine has to face a fourth surgery. I have gotten a lot of help and encouragement from Indy Great Pyrenees Rescue (IGPR), where I adopted him. Through all of this, Yukie has remained the sweetest, most tolerant and gentlest disposition and is truly a happy dog. Three out of four dogs I've owned have been rescues and I will NEVER own anything else but a rescue dog, because some have been through hell and back and truly appreciate every little thing. I just hope I have made as much difference in their lives as they have made in mine. I know that is true with Yukie.

Connie Geiger
Englewood, OH

Alaska Jack

Our beloved adopted 11-year-old Shih Tzu, Romeo, passed away and our hearts were broken. So, two months later, we decided to fill those hearts with love again and adopted Alaska Jack, a Cocker Spaniel, from Friends of Pets in Anchorage. He brings us joy and laughter from the time he leaps on the bed to wake us up every morning until he barks at us to go to bed at night. Our retirement years just wouldn't be the same without an adopted doggie companion to share them with. This is a picture of Alaska Jack watching dinner being prepared. He just knows there is something special there for him too.

Lloyd McClintock
Big Lake, AK

Born to Rescue

All my life I have been rescuing dogs. In the picture is "Skittzie." I rescued her in 1/07 from an elderly man that beat her, broke her legs and hips. She was withdrawn & it took nearly 6 months to get her to come out from under the bed in the light of day. Today, she is a happy, healthy little girl and one of my greatest accomplishments.

Along with Skittzie, we have a pack of 8 rescue dogs. Our home, at any given time can have up to 15 foster dogs.

Skittzie inspired me to do my research, to learn about the animal rescue industry. This past January, we opened People-4-PAWS Florida (Pets Are Worth Saving) and we nave rescued over 50 dogs, provided medical care (shots, spay/neutering) and are busy finding them all new homes. Financially we have had no support - but that won't stop us. There are too many "Skittzie's" in the world!

Along with the animals we rescue, we help pet owner's in need to get their animals spayed/neutered and whatever they need in order to keep their beloved family members in their homes.

By the end of 2009, we hope to raise enough money to open an actual facility that will include a low/no cost spay/neuter clinic. We have touched the heart of a local vet that is willing to move his practice to our facility if we are successful.

We buy from the Animal Rescue Site to help other shelters in need. And thank them for this opportunity to share a very small part of our story.

A lifetime of loving animals - they are my legacy to the world.

Warmest Regards,
Nanette Carter
Co-Founder
People-4-PAWS Florida
www.k9-konnections.com

Nanette Carter
Spring Hill, FL

He Who Does Not Serve

My husband and I brought Bentley Barker home from the Humane Society when he was nine months old, planning to train him as a service dog for me (I have multiple sclerosis). After two years, he made it plain that he does not condescend to serve. So he became an obstinate but beloved companion. He's 13 now, with a gray beard, but still in good condition. Our lives would have been simpler but also poorer without him.

Nancy Mairs
Tucson, AZ

Our best decision ever! Our Cat TIGER

We decided to rescue a cat. We knew he'd be part of our family... we didn't realize he'd be the best decision we ever made! He is WONDERFUL! We love him so much. He takes care of us as much as we take care of him. When we're blue... he sits with us. When we're cheery... he sits with us. He is anywhere we are! We really love him. Everyone ask for Tiger. He loves people.
We took some friends with us who knew a lot about cats, they helped us pick him out. Right away he came to the cage door and wanted to come home with us. Bring home your new family member today!

sunshine
winter springs, FL

I Love Lucy!

Eight years ago my husband had to leave for a three month deployment. While he was gone I decided it was time for us to get a dog. I wasn't looking for any breed in particular but I wanted one from a rescue shelter. Toward the last cage at the shelter I felt this lick on my hand and saw an adorable rottweiler named Lucy. She is the sweetest dog I have ever known and has changed my thinking that rottweilers are mean dogs!

Kathy
Pacific, WA

My Big Babies

I worked at the pound for a while, and couldn't help but walk past the cages everyday. One day I came upon this beautiful big sooky short haired border collie cross just sitting quietly staring at me. I got her out of the cage and she just sat in my lap and cuddled up to my chin. I just had to taker her home. Maggie May became my little baby. Then a while later I came across a big dopey Malamute with a big smile on his face. He was being put down the next day, he sat in my lap and nearly crushed me...so I had to take him home too. Now Bear Bear and Maggie May have 24 acres to run around and a big family to love them.

Emmie
Canberra, Australia

my two eyed misfit Izabel

I went to the city shelter after i put my cat sumo of 8 years down and my kitten that i rescued from the streets got tradegically killed...there wasnt much selection most all were black cats..i didnt want another dark cat and there was a pretty one in the corner but she was mean...and my family wanted this BIG boy frankie a maine coon mix or something with 6 toes in the other corner..i said that was way to much cat for me..but my eyes never strayed from this quite little girl in the middle named snowball..she was so tiny and unique..but she has certainly been an experience..i throughly enjoy her...though she sheds like there aint no tommorow

Jennifer
bradford, TN

Socks, Feral Friends' Spokescat

Socks was found wounded by a gun shot in a yard. He was taken to an emergency animal clinc where he was told that his leg had to be amputated. The man that rescued him ironically was an amputee himself. The medical bills were going to be expensive and Ron, who saved Socks, called Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance to ask for assistance. They were happy to help. Ron became Socks' foster parent and helped rehabilitate him. The sad story is that Socks was also FIV+ and his chances of getting adopted were slim.
After almost a year, he was adopted by a Feral Friends' volunteer, Nikki Williamson. The group decided to make him their spokescat and have Socks participate in events and provide information to pet owners about vital issues. Socks is happy and healthy. He shares his home with two adopted rescue cats and his humans. Socks will be a wonderful Spokescat for Feral Friends because he has lived with abandonment, animal cruelty, FIV, amputation, learning to live with a handicap and finding a good-hearted person that saved him. He has many lessons and knowledge to share about all of these issues and more.

At Feral Friends, our mission is to actively assist the community in reducing feline overpopulation.

To accomplish this mission, we have two vital programs that work in unison to offer assistance to the cats and kittens of our community, Race to Reduce Litters (feral) and Rescue and Re-Home. We also offer tips and assistance to those whom have lost their pets.
www.feralfriends.org

Nikki Williamson
Richardson, TX

MomCat

Aubrey was born without most of her brain undeveloped(hydronencephaly). Although her eyes were perfect, she could not see since there was no brain to interpret information. As a small kitten, she was petrified of everything and was not expected to live. A loving shelter director rescued her and gave her a knit teddy bear as a companion. My wife and I adopted her at 4 months and she has been a miracle cat! She is now almost 6 years old, gets along with our 6 other special needs cats, and lovingly carries her Teddy around the house each day!

David Francis
Guilford, CT