Animal Rescue Stories

Ronnie the Dog

I've always had pets, but when I moved to CA to be with my fiance, I gave my two cats to my parents as my fiance is allergic. After awhile without an animal, I told Todd that we either got a dog or I moved out! Todd had never had a pet before and wasnt too keen on getting on, but he didnt have a choice. We looked for so long for the right dog, but never found one. One day my friend called and told us that her step-dad's sister had to give up her dog or get evicted, and was wondering if we would like to meet him. We went online and looked at the breed (Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix), I loved them (I love any animal!) but Todd was not so sure. However, we made the trip from Dana Point to the San Pedro shelter, out of politeness. We had no intentions of adopting him, we even had a story as to why we couldnt, but when we saw him we fell in love. He had a tough past, living with a homeless man until he was given to his first family, then a year later had to be taken to the shelter. His previous family was so grateful that we adopted him, they were able to give us all of his toys, leash/collar, food, etc. He was already housebroken, trained, and everything. He gets along with my friends dogs, barely needs to be on a leash, is a great guard dog, and everyone that meets him is instantly in love. He goes everywhere with me, and not a day goes by that I dont get compliments about him. I am so glad that Todd and I went up to the shelter that day instead of automatically declining.

Amanda
Dana Point, CA

Filling a Void

After we sadly had to send our 13 year old Miss Flossie to that Great Catnip Patch in the Sky, we found that we had a very empty house. Our daughter Kate located these two orange fluff balls online at an adoption site and after driving 90 minutes each way on a snowy December day they came home to fill the void. Now two handsome lads of 3 years, wish I could share an after photo, the house is filled again with thundering paws as well as meows of protest as Tiggerr, on the right, harasses big brother Bacon.

Jo Ann
Richmond Hill, Canada

Rescue Stories

Gypsie was born in a junked-out car at Pam's workplace on 03/11/2004. She brought her home every night to feed her (the mother had no milk to feed them). We were supposed to be foster parents, but I could not give her up. She brings love and joy to our home and all our other canine and feline babies.

Tony and Pam LaSpina
Phoenix, AZ

Felix

I found him the day he was born on a neighbor's backyard sidewalk. His kitty mom was frightened away by an incoming storm. I took him home for the night and brought him back hoping she would return for him. That was 10 years ago. He has always had me in the middle of his paw. He turned my cat hating husband into his favorite neck scratcher.

Barbara
Fillmore, UT

Bones the blind dog

In Nov. 2008 I got a call from our local animal control about an owner surrender named Bones. The animal control officer knew how hard it would be to adopt out a blind dog. Bones is now my blind foster dog up for adoption. He has gained 15 pounds and his mange has cleared up since he has been with us. He is an amazing dog. I encourage everyone to give your love to animal with a disability.

Elizabeth
El Reno, OK

Our Grace

When our family was much younger, we decided that it was time for a furry addition to the family. At Pet's Incorporated, a local rescue site, we saw a gray half grown kitty with lively green eyes. As we held her, we knew that this lovely creature was now part of our family. While always a member of our family, on her own, she made friends with her favorite human neighbors. Some reported nice conversations between them. The years have gone by and children went to college, and now Gracie and I now share a new garden home. As in the old neighborhood, she visits with neighbors who are her new friends. I believe she may have met more neighbors than I have at this point!

KT Altman
Columbia, SC

Spica of SPCA

We went to the shelter that day looking for a Peke, since that was the pet I had loved as a teenager. There was this lovely young Siberian Husky female pleading to get out of this noisy hectic place. She took one look at us and said "Those two. I'll take those two please. They will be huge suckers for a husky like me." She was right. We named her SPiCA and she was our best buddy for fifteen years and the first of a long line of Siberians. She traveled everywhere we could take her with us and left a huge hole in our hearts when we had to say goodbye. But that hole has filled in to become a mine of warm and wonderful memories. When it is my turn to approach the Rainbow Bridge, I look forward to feeling that hard head pressed once more against my knees.

Cheryl Dawson
York, PA

Queens

Lani and cincy Lou are puppy mill rescues. They went from a life of torment to a life of lxury and are the two Queens who rule the nest. We can't imagine life without them.

Rick Abrant
Merrionette Pk., IL

Meant To Be

Cheyenne came to us one day as I was coming home from work. There she was, standing on the side of the road and I got her in my car just as a large truck came around the bend which would have surely hit her had I not gotten her out of harm's way. She's a sweetheart and loves to tease her 2 brothers, also rescues. That was 10 years ago and she still continues to be the jewel of our hearts.

Donna Ksepka
Fort Mc Coy, FL

"Something to Smile About"

It was a beautiful June day when I heard a yelping noise coming from a truck & trailer that had pulled in next to my office. There were 8 puppies that were being taken to the pound. My husband told me to pick out a girl because we had 3 male dogs in the house already. I immediately took her to the vet and they told me that she weighed 4.8 lbs. which was less than a bag of sugar! My husband named her Gypsy because of the way we found her. When we had her neutered the vet told us that she has hip dysplasia so she is on 3 meds a day. She talks constantly and also loves to sing. Gypsy has all the boys in control in our house (including my husband!) When I took her to the vet for bloodwork, a kind older woman told me that she is so cute because she looks as if she is smiling all the time! She has alot to smile about!

Pamela Swanson-Muirhead
Franklinton, NC