Stories

While Amber, a rescuer and the founder of Heart of the Underdog, a rescue in Texas, was on one of her rescue missions, she spotted a black dog crossing a busy road. Amber felt worried that she would be hit by a car, and she immediately pulled over in a nearby parking lot, got out…

When Aurora’s owners left her at an overcrowded shelter, she was heartbroken. The German Shepherd couldn’t stand the constant noise and she kept cowering and trembling with fear. As the pup spent a month at the shelter without any progress, her future became uncertain. She was moments away from being placed on the euthanasia list….

As soon as Lisa Reams, a longtime rescuer and the founder of Saving Grace Animal Rescue, received a call about a little puppy discarded in a dumpster in Yazoo City, Mississippi, she headed to the spot to rescue him. However, once she arrived there, there was no sign of the pup. She looked for him…

One thing that is really disheartening to see is a kind pup who was dealt a bad hand throughout life, and then they lose all hope. They don’t even try to search for help. They just kind of shut down and isolate themselves. The pups will take whatever food they are given, but they won’t…

When Veronica Shea was out hiking with her dog on her regular trail in the Angeles National Forest in California, she spotted something unusual.   When she came around a curve, she saw what she described as a “huge black thing”, going up the side of the cliff. Realizing it was a dog, she decided to…

Moe-Moe was a great pup who lived with his family in their Kansas home, convinced that he would be with them forever. The sweet American Bulldog mix loved his little humans and enjoyed playing with them. Sadly, one day, his whole world came tumbling down, and Moe-Moe couldn’t believe it. His family moved out without…

When a resident in Tennessee noticed that their neighbor didn’t take proper care of their dogs, they felt compelled to help them. The good human couldn’t stand watching the dogs endure hunger so they started feeding them and showing them kindness. As time passed, the dogs relied on the help of the good neighbor and…

It was vacation time for these farm owners from Pennsylvania who just wanted to relax and enjoy their time as a family. During their leisure time, one kid was out in the field when he spotted something unusual lying in the field. From a distance, it looked like some kind of an animal, but they…

When they were coming into work one summer morning, the Cuse Pit Crew (CPC), a nonprofit based in Syracuse, N.Y., didn’t expect to have such a hard day. Receiving information that somebody left their senior pup, Max, tied up in a park really did take a toll on them and they would carry it throughout…

There’s no such thing as a broken dog. It’s always about the circumstances, the treatment, and the amount of love and effort you invest in raising it to be a good pooch. Sadly, not all owners share this perspective. Some give up right from the start, allowing their furry companions to face a sad end….

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you ended up adopting a dog who you thought was going to be small, even when he grew up, only to be surprised? Or, maybe you took in a dog who usually grows a lot, but is a lot bigger than the rest of his breed….

Just because you think you know your dog’s next move doesn’t necessarily mean you’re right. Boi is just wrong to think that…especially when it’s the middle of the night and you’re prepared to drift away into a land of dreams. Katherine Stewart, an Indiana student, would soon learn this the “hard way.” One night, deeply…

In many rescue stories about dogs, a lot of focus is placed on the people who abandon animals and how such cruelty toward animals should be avoided. While that is a fair criticism, it’s also important to give credit to the people who are working every day to make this world a better place. Many…

Getting to know dogs is not always an easy task. Every one of them is different and they require a delicate approach if you really want to get to learn more about them. Some pups are naturally more timid, while others can be really outgoing and playful, regardless of who they are with. They can…

Reality hits hard when you know you can’t save all the dogs in need. Sometimes, even when you do your best and extend a helping hand to a dog in need, you just know it isn’t enough. And, the fact that you arrived too late is even more heartbreaking! Dillon, a pup found at a…

No one really wants to open Pandora’s box.  We all know that something terrible might come out of it.  The mysterious box that has been following humanity for ages arrived in San Jose.  The staff of the San Jose Animal Shelter knew that once they opened the box, everything would change. But, they couldn’t leave…

The Pit Bull breed is often misunderstood and perceived as evil. The truth, however, couldn’t be more different. When treated properly, these dogs are loyal, sweet, and make perfect companions. Take Stella, for instance. This poor Pittie girl from Texas was abandoned in a trash pit by her previous family, and yet all Stella wanted…

How often do you see an animal trapped on a stone pier of a bridge? Now, imagine the shock of seeing one during your casual drive. Tom, a commuter from Pennsylvania, certainly didn’t expect to encounter such a sight. He crosses the same bridge every day on his way to work, but one day, a…

Recalling the time I had a dog, I remember that he was a really social pup and loved to play with anyone. Now, I regret not getting another dog so he could have a friend. Even though being with us was enough for him, I still feel like it would be better for every dog…

It just breaks my heart whenever a dog’s kennel stress is mistaken for aggression. Brownie, being in a loud shelter and confined between four walls, was exactly that – misunderstood! This poor furry girl was literally shaking from stress in a California shelter. For reasons still vague to this day, she ended up on the…

I wonder what could have happened to any dog who gets scared whenever they see other humans. Most of the time, it’s neglect and abuse, but those words alone don’t picture it. Those dogs suffer for so long that they are almost conditioned into being wary of people. It’s heartbreaking and sad, but that’s the…

Prolonged periods in the shelter can be extremely stressful for any dog to bear. Many completely withdraw, or they just lose interest in doing things they used to love. It’s heartbreaking for many rescuers to see, but they are trying their best to find a solution to these problems. Even when it’s hard, they always…

A little pup with fur tangled in dreadlocks felt scared of the speeding cars as she was trying to cross a busy road in California.  She badly needed help, but there seemed to be nobody who was willing to show her any kindness, let alone jump to her aid. The drivers ignored her and passed…

I have seen people surrender their dogs many times for absolutely ridiculous reasons, but at the very least, they have given them a chance with someone else. Sometimes, an owner and a dog are just not compatible, and the best option in that case would be to let the dog take his chances elsewhere. However,…

When workers at a Virginia Beach Navy Base arrived at their administration building, they encountered a surprising sight. There was something furry curled up at their doorstep. Once the staff moved closer, they locked eyes with their unexpected visitors, who turned out to be baby otters who were about five to six weeks old. The…

Just ask yourself, how often did you find yourself in a situation where you mistakenly confused someone else’s dog for your own? I know, it sounds very improbable. Personally, I was never in a situation like this, but somewhere in the world, something like this actually happens to other people. In this story, we will…

We’ve all seen our dogs try the impossible when protecting us, whether warning us about potential danger in the distance or fending off a dangerous animal. They’re our furry little heroes, and I just can’t imagine how much our lives would be different if they weren’t here for us all the time. It doesn’t matter…

There are many factors to consider before adopting a dog: Is your home suitable? Is a dog you want to adopt pet-friendly? What are the dog’s daily needs, and does your schedule accommodate them? Many adopters, however, don’t take these things into account and rush straight into the adoption process, which often leads to a…

We all know that taking your dog to the groomer can result in some pretty strange things to occur. Sometimes, they mess up. Other times, owners think their pup would look better if his fur were groomed, only to learn that was a really big mistake after seeing the results. Things like this happen to…

Just like humans, dogs are social beings who find their comfort in companionship.  Once they bond with someone, they rarely let go. That’s why it is particularly tough for them to part ways with their owners, even for a couple of hours. Now, imagine what permanent abandonment does to them! Tinker recently experienced that heartbreak…

While driving on a freeway in Rubidoux, California, David Loop, the founder of an animal rescue called Sierra Pacific Furbabies, noticed a mysterious black lump close to an exit ramp.  Fearing that the dark lump could be an animal that needed his help, Loop hit the brakes. He quickly got out of his car and…

Carly would have given anything in the world to live in a loving home. Unfortunately, the sweet puppy and her parents lived a miserable life with a careless and neglectful owner. Since the doggy family didn’t have the proper care, they developed skin issues. Instead of trying to help their dogs, their heartless owner surrendered…

We all know that there are no coincidences in life, and I’m sure that Waco, the heroine of today’s story, would agree. One day, the malnourished Great Pyrenees entered the yard of a Texas family looking for some kindness and compassion, but what she found was so much more. When Joel and his wife found…

Do you know how many dogs end up in shelters every year? A couple of million, that’s for sure. The number changes and varies from one year to another. Last I heard, over 6 million dogs were surrendered to shelters in the USA.  That’s 6 million broken hearts! Could you even imagine the pain these…

Being around dogs teaches you a lot of things, but I think the most important thing of all is to expect the unexpected. If you notice something odd about your pup’s behavior, it can be any number of things, which is why it’s important to react quickly to make sure it’s nothing serious. There are…

Anyone who has ever owned a Golden Retriever must know that they are probably one of the happiest and most hyperactive dog breeds in the world. However, every owner also must know that they can be some of the most dramatic pups ever. And, believe me, I should know. Sometimes, they can refuse to acknowledge…

Being someone who has, on one occasion, saved an abandoned animal and given it a new chance at life, I feel like there is something that everyone should know about. Their story matters a lot. Where they are from and how they got into that situation is incredibly important in determining how to help them…

Are you ready?  Let me ask you again: are you absolutely ready? Because what you’re about to see isn’t an everyday thing – and it sure isn’t an everyday dog! When people first saw Marley, a giant St. Bernard Poodle mix from California, they couldn’t help but wonder if she was even real. I mean,…

Vega’s journey wasn’t easy. The two-year-old pup once had a family who let her down and abandoned her on the streets of Oklahoma. When she was rescued and admitted to a shelter, Vega thought that her life would get better. Due to her incredibly sweet character, she became a shelter volunteer’s favorite. Sadly, the shelter…

We all know that Golden Retrievers are known for their high spirit and the ability to make friends with anyone, anywhere. It’s their special ability. I know I want to make friends with one when I see one at the park. However, that begs the question: How good are Golden Retrievers as guard dogs? Can…

Tyla didn’t know what freedom was. She had a terrible life with her owner who chained her to a crate and kept her in an outdoor tent in order to hide her from the world. The pup felt helpless and curled up on a baking sheet inside the crate, which became the only bed she…

The road to happiness isn’t always easy, that’s for sure.  If there’s one species that has learned that lesson the hard way, it is certainly abandoned dogs who eventually find happiness elsewhere. Sadly, the rest of them never get that chance. Lady, a sweet Staffordshire Terrier, was abandoned on the streets of Texas alongside three…

Karishma’s life has been nothing but a struggle. The resilient mother dog roamed the Georgia streets with her five puppies, fighting with all her power to keep them alive. She was worried because her furbabies had to endure the frigid temperatures outside. The mama dog tried to keep them warm and care for them the…

There’s something so precious when I see a dog doing his best to help someone, even when they are suffering. A hungry mama dog will do her best to feed her puppies, even if it costs her everything. It shows how selfless they can be, and we can definitely learn a lot from that. Dogs…

Whenever we read rescue stories on the internet where a dog was abandoned in a remote location, the question we all have in our minds is: why? I mean, how can you not think this? Why does it seem so hard for people who own dogs but don’t want them to at least surrender them…

Sometimes, all our furry friends need is a little push to realize it’s okay to make new friends. Here’s the thing: not all doggos are social butterflies, and that’s perfectly normal! When Anni Cummings, a dog owner from South Dakota, realized her rescue dog, Mojo, wasn’t comfortable in his new neighborhood, she decided to do…

When Nina Love, the founder of The Black Thornberry, an animal rescue located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a call about a mysterious furry figure roaming the woods, she sprang into action. Once she arrived at the scene, she spotted the furry animal and immediately realized that it was a dog who was scared of humans….

Sometimes, timely decisions not only yield the best results, but they actually save lives!  If it wasn’t for a brave woman that day, Petey, the stray, would probably not have made it on his own. This tiny little pup was hiding under a tree in Garden Grove, California, when a random passenger spotted him, but…

Moose is proof that shelter dogs are nowhere near bad!  With a bullet lodged in her lung and just a terrible start in life – this adorable Pittie had one and only one thing in mind – to be everyone’s best friend. Sadly, no one seemed to give her the chance to prove she was…

Imagine coming to work early in the morning and seeing two pups out of the blue, waiting for you in front of the building!  Well, that’s exactly what happened to the staff of Forsyth County Animal Shelter, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina! Two unknown puppies placed in two separate kennels were left by someone in front…