Animal Rescue Stories

The Story of Toots

One cold and snowy winter morning, I recieved a phone call from Trailside Museum, a wildlife rehabilitation center in River Forest, IL. They said that they had found a small dog living in a snow cave in their parking lot. She had a piece of chewed rope dangling from her neck and they thought that someone had tied her in the woods. She had chewed herself free and had dug a cave in the 14 inches of snow that had fallen overnight. They heard her barking to defend her cave when they arrived in the morning.

I drove to Trailside to see her. Her ribs poked through her her thin, ragged coat. She had sarcoptic mange and had scratched her skin raw. I put her in the car and she stared at me with frightened eyes. Her entire body shook when I reached out to pet her. I spoke softly to her during the ride home and by the time we arrived she had snuggled against my hip and fallen asleep.

We named her "Toots" after the little dog in "Lassie Come Home" and she became my constant companion for the next 14 years. In the 30 years that I have been a Veterinary Technician, I have never known a dog who had such a joy for life. She savored every moment. Last year she crossed the Rainbow Bridge but she will always be loved and cherished in our hearts.

Cynthia Erickson
Berwyn, IL

Charlies Rescue

We adopted Charlie in April of 2009, he was at Columbus County Animal Control in NC. I found him through a volunteers weekly email she sent out and called right away. He was only 5 weeks old at the time so she fostered him and took care of him until he was 8 weeks and then he was put on transport to come upto Maine and meet his new family. We couldn't imagine life without him now, he has a canine brother and sister and a feline brother. He is the happiest dog I've ever met! Please adopt and rescue!

Jenessa Twitchell
Scarborough, ME

Our Little Boy

This is the Little One, formerly known as Shelton. He came from Buffalo Pug and Small Breed rescue and is one of 3 rescue dogs in our home. He's from a backyard breeder in Virginia. He spent all his time outside with little people contact. He was very shy when we first got him and especially leary of men. What a difference a loving home makes. This guy now loves everyone including men. He's wonderful with my grand-children. This is one of the Sweetest most loving dogs. I believe rescue dogs are The Best. They are So Gratefull to have their own people who Love them and take care of them. They give back to us so much more than we give to them. As I sit here typing, all 3 of my boys are with me.

Debbie
Lancaster, NY

An Avalanche of Malamute

This beautiful malamute was abandoned at a local vet after his owners ran over him as a puppy; walking away rather than paying the surgery bill. The vet quickly ran out of room and time for him as he grew...and grew...and grew. At 13 months of age, he ended up at the shelter as a "last hope" before being put down~~ I saw his picture in the paper, and it was love at first sight. My husband wasn't so sure when we actually saw him, he was "sure a lot of dog". But he pasted me against the wall of the shelter and licked my whole face; I was toast! (He's much better behaved now)
I named him Avalanche, it's a description as well as a name! He shares his forever home with 3 rescued kitties, my huge, spoiled rotten "baby".

Dawn Linquist
Havre, MT

Life with Dolly

We got Dolly three years ago from our local humane society. She was to be a companion of the lab mix we had found abandoned on the roadside three years before that.

Dolly is a mix between some kind of setter, spaniel, and long-haired sloth! She is gentle, patient, loving, and an excellent watch dog. We can't imagine our lives without her.

Lula and Farrell Thomas,
Eton, GA

Lula Thomas
Eton, GA

Spike & Maggie

These are our two awesome min-pins, we love them so much. We found Spike, the red one, on the street very skinny and scared of men. Maggie came to us from a very neglectful and sad situatiuon. Now they are happy and healthy and big bundles of love. They get along so well with their dog sister, Ginger and their 5 cat siblings. We can't imagine how lonely and quiet our life would be without them.
Tammy & Bruce Nelson

Tammy Nelson
Havre, MT

Our Maximillian

Hi my name is Maximillian, but you can call me Max. My newest owners had just saved me from dying by adopting me. I was only 8 months old at the time. I was still considered to be a young pup, and pretty adoptable. You see, I had been adopted out twice before by 2 other owners, but they couldn't keep me, I don't know why, but they couldn't take me with them. So they brought me back to the shelter. But, hey don't be sad, because my newest owners found me and adopted me, just in time, as I was supposed to be euthanized the very next day!! It seems they were in the shelter looking for one of their lost pets and found me. But because of my new owners, I have a warm bed, good food, plenty of water, and a big yard to run and play in. Life is good...It's great to be a dog!!!

Angie Coulter
Plainfield, IN

My Cat Who Flosses Her Teeth

I rescued Bailey when she was 8 weeks old. Each evening she would watch me floss my teeth. One evening she leaned in and started flossing her teeth, too. Since then, she comes running when she hears the floss box clicked open and flosses her teeth. No one believes this until they see her do it. She is a smart kitty who has taught herself and me many tricks. We play hide and seek, tag, flick the ball, find the ball--just to name a few. She is a special gal, for sure.

Connie German
Mount Airy, MD

Rocco and Miette -A wonderful Gift !!

We recently wrer lucky enough to get (adopt) Rocco and Minette. They are both sole survivors of their litters. Minette was only 4 weeks old when we got her and there was a question of her ability to survive. She had attached herself to Rocco a 10 week old. When we first got her she could barely stand and now she is thriving and in a few weeks we will integrate her and Rocco and there adult 2 brothers and sister. We had a big boy named LilBit (rescued) that recently passed and we really miss him. My daughter who rescued these two beauties called us and they are now part of our Family.
They bring so much joy to us but especially to me as I cannot get out much. If you have not rescued a cat or dog than you are really missing a lot. They bring so much joy and love that it is impossible to measure.
One can never be alone when one has an animal to love and share life with. I have had animals all my life! What a joy these two will add to our home. Please save any you can - They are all a gift from God!

Tim & Bonnie
Roswell, GA

Doesn't Like Men

My forever family found me on a rottweiler rescue site in 2005 after their 11-year-old rottweiler passed away. The foster mom said I didn't like small animals or men. Well, today, I not only love my cat brothers and sisters, who sometimes sleep with me, I love my Daddy best. He gives me regular belly rubs and lets me sleep on the bed until Mom makes me get off. I sleep facing the door, always protecting my family. Mom says that I have been a really special addition to the family.

That's Sarah's story. She has been the greatest dog. She knows when she should be gentle so she can play with grandkids and friends' children, and knows when she can be stronger with adults. We are so glad to have found her.

Edith Cooper
Brownwood, TX