Animal Rescue Stories

Our Little Hilda

Hilda was one of a kind. Because our local pound only has large dogs, and I wanted a small one, we searched the Internet for our little Hilda, who was at Second Chance Rescue in Oakland, Calif. Hilda had been found abandoned in a van on the streets of Oakland with another dog, a couple of cats and a dead rabbit. The rescuers said when they pulled her out, she smelled like death. Because of her advanced age (our vet said she was probably 15 or 16 years old), we didn't want her to be flown, and because it was winter and crossing the Sierra Nevadas is a daunting trip even in good weather, we waited until the brother of a friend could bring her to Idaho. The rescue people met him in Sacramento to drop off our little Hilda, and she rode here in the lap of his friend, Elaine. Four months after she arrived, we discovered Hilda had aggressive, very advanced melanoma. Four vets told us she had four to six weeks to live. She fooled us all by staying for 10 months. We didn't have our little Hilda long, but she always will live in our hearts. She was quite a dog! Our eternal thanks to Second Chance Rescue for giving her a chance so that we could have her in our lives--even for a little while.

Kitty Delorey Fleischman
Boise, ID

Alexander the Great

Alex was living in a 6 foot round pen with no protection from the rain and cold when I took him in. After treatments for Parvo and Heartworms, he is strong and healthy with a heart of gold.

Brenda J. Browning
Zachary, LA

Jesse James Winchester

We already had two indoor cats and one outside cat that were all adopted either through the local shelter or they just came to us, so I didn't want another cat, especially inside the house. "Jesse" came to our door and was shivering cold, he was cute, with his one blue and one green eye. I told my friend to take him to the shelter, which he did, but then went back and got him and sneaked him into the front bedroom! After I found out, I still wanted him gone, but somewhere along the line I fell in love with him and now I can't imagine life without him!

Linda
Central Coast, CA

First anniversary with my rescue!

After my mom's rescued pit bull died last March, I knew I still had to have a dog in my life. I went to the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society to check out the dogs when I saw Tito, an underweight Corgi-Lab mix. He was the only dog who wasn't barking, and he followed me every time I walked by his cage. His inquisitive eyes stole my heart, and the next day he came to live with my boyfriend and me.
Tito, now named Keltie, got off to a rocky start. He had worms when we took him home and had to eat special food for his sensitive stomach. He also had separation anxiety and ate our couch when we left him home alone. After 8 weeks he was up to a healthy weight and herding us around the house like sheep.
One year later, Keltie has completed two obedience classes and his separation anxiety has lessened. He spends his days hiking and wrestling with my mom's new dog, and he spends his nights hogging the covers in my bed.

Emily
San Dimas, CA

Dom's Story

Dominic came into my life at only 8 weeks old. He had been left at the shelter and was almost too young to come home with me. The shelter workers saw how well we matched up together and let me have him. That was 5 years and 70 lbs ago. He is a big boy with a big heart to match. He loves the beach, and my cat Naploeon. He is always ready to pass out big kisses for every new person he meets, and thinks he is really a lap dog. I can't imagine life without him.

liz
Seattle, WA

Mollie

Daily I read stories about how an animal saved someone's life by leading them out of a fire or barked for help until someone came. My girl has never done any of that. I adopted her from the pound 3 days before my husband deployed for Iraq. Not being from a military family, I had no idea what deployment would be like. For 7 months, all she did was love me and give me the companionship that I so dearly missed. The affection and joy she brings to everyone she meets has never stopped since. For that, and so much more, I am eternally grateful.

Jennifer
Menifee, CA

Lucky's story

My husband called me at work one day to tell me he had found a baby kitten abandoned at work. We live outside of Las Vegas, NV, the temperature at 9:00 am was already approaching 90. I told him come by so I could see him. To my surprise he was covered in dirt and gravel umbilical cord still attached. I told him to wrap him up and keep him warm, go to the store and get kitten formula. I would be home for lunch shortly. Lucky was stubborn from day one. We cleaned him up and fed him. No one believed this 3.3oz baby would live. Well he did and is now a very large, healthy, 17lb "baby".

Jennifer
Pahrump, NV

My Personal Therapist

I lost my dog of 18 years before going to medical school. I adopted Chance as soon as I knew where I was going. He makes me laugh everyday and ensures that I get exercise even when it is -20 out. Chance is definitely one of the reasons I am succeeding in medical school.

Pooja
Dayton, OH

Jesse, the 'wonder dog'

I rescued Jesse, a pomeranian/poodle mix, about six months ago. He'd been a neglected, backyard dog, who missed out on some critical socialization. With six months of unconditional love (and some obedience training), he's gone from cowering under the house to greeting new people with enthusiasm and confidence; he's loved at my mom's nursing home. But his favorite place - and mine! - is on my lap, snoozing and soaking up the warmth. What an addition to my life!

Jean T.
Seattle, WA

Miles, My Heart

Little 5 pound Miles was left by his former family on death row at a kill shelter. He had a severe case of heartworms. A vet hid him in his pocket and took him home and doctored him back to health and then let him be fostered by a wonderful family. I was lucky enough to be able to adopt him and he has been the sweetest, most wonderful furbaby ever! He had so many issues at first and over the past 2 years we have overcome most of them. I just can not imagine not having Miles in my life. He is my heart~

Pamela
Deer Park, TX