Animal Rescue Stories

Miranda, who wasn't supposed to stay

Miranda and her siblings were foster kittens. I brought them home when they were about three weeks old. They were skinny and had tons of fleas. I tried really hard with them, but her sister didn't make it. After that, I poured lots of love into Miranda, the second smallest of the kittens.

Her brothers grew big enough to get neutered and adopted, but Miranda stayed on at my house because she was too small. By the time she was big enough to go, it had become obvious that she was going to stay. I named her Miranda after Miranda Priestly, the "dragon lady" in The Devil Wears Prada because though small, she's a demanding little thing.

Today she's a diminutive six pounds, and she still has a huge personality.

Michelle Green
Keene, NH

Lord Ben

Ben came to me as a kitten and immediately took over my heart. His former owners - a girl and her Mom were moving and could not keep him so they offered him to me. THAT was the BEST day of my life!

He is the smartest, funniest young man I have ever known and each day,weather permitting, he takes me out for a walk.

Heidi H Christensen
Modesto, CA

Over 9 years ago we went to our local shelter and found Bella.

We had just moved into our new home we wanted a dog. We went to the shelter that day but did not intend to bring one home we were just looking...
We looked at all the dogs there were hundreds but we came across this one dog. We petted her through the cage. She was such a happy dog. But she was a full grown dog (4 years old) and we were looking for a puppy. I started to walk away she started to cry and whine just broke my heart but we kept looking at the other dogs. We even took a few into the play yard but I kept looking back at her. I told my Husband let's just take her into the yard and play with her. The people at the shelter told us she had her papers, but that she had a heart mummer and would never be a real active dog and that she did not like other animals and small children. Disappointed we left.
The next day my husband said " you know we should of just brought her home with us" I was so excited because I was thinking the same thing. I told my Husband to go back and if she was still there to get her and bring her home where she belongs. That was more than 9 years ago.

Her name is Bella Merritt but we call her bellbell.
She loves kids, she loves other big and small dogs we have adopted a German shepherd and a Chihuahua and over the years has even put up with our cat.
She is 14+ years old and she has never had a problem with her heart.

The only thing they were right about she has never been very active.

Maria Keller
LAS VEGAS, NV

Easter Dogs

I never bought a dog. I have tried many times; my dear old friends have passed on and left empty pallets and empty dishes behind. I make plans for specific breed. I roam pet stores and browse books and shows even tried to seek genetic similars to aged great loves buried in my back yard. I never have time because Easter rolls around.
In April or September I am presented with a parade. The most wonderful and sad lot of souls. Every Church Lady and Son's bestfriend I know has a dog...some 'gifted' puppy they can no longer keep who is now not so wonderful in their home; who has been without proper care or training in puppyhood, who chews up their shoes, their furniture, who needs shots and more food with great abandon. This is the dog who has lived in my house from the day I was 12 to today. The dog who was the abandoned Christmas or Easter dog that needs me more than the dog I imagine I want; who becomes the companion unimagined. I accept these responsibilities with resign at first. I rue the purchasers' of these pets with disdain and I forcefully ponder the "perfect" pet I forgo taking on this disguarded item labeled with some horrid name to cruel to change.
I have a few great loves in my life, My husband, my children and all these Easter and Christmas Pets. I wish I could attach pictures of them all. One helped me decide my husband. One helped me choose to have more children. Those between helped my children; one saved all their lives in a house fire and the one pictured, reminds me that now my children have grown I am still a great Mother.
Adopt a dog for Easter.
Love,
Mom

TT Krause
Madison, TN

Three Dog Night

Mr. Rico joined our family at age nine when his family divorced and made no plans for him. We are the lucky ones as our loving Black Labrador Retriever will turn fourteen-years-young this Fourth of July and continues to set off firecrackers in our hearts with every smile and wag of his tail. Haiku the long-coat Akita was found wandering the hot dessert streets when he was only four-weeks old. Like his now-sister Bonsai, I agreed to foster them but quickly knew they would never leave our house or our hearts. Time, patience and nurturing has made this pack work and they bring us all so much love. How great to start each day by gazing into their joy-filled faces after having spent a "three dog night" together.

Denise Fleck
Shadow Hills, CA

Gibson's Story

Hello, my name is Gibson. When I was six months old I was dumped on a street and left to die. I remember I was cold and hungery and was so week from being starved I could not walk. Then a nice lady picked me up and brought me to the Rescue, Cause for Paws in Illinois. They cleaned me up fed me and when I got better, they found me a fur-ever home. I am now a year old and lead a very charmed life with my Mom and Dad and my 3 golden brothers and sister. We get to run in our yard, go for car rides (we have a convertable) & to the doggie park. I especially like going to the Petsmart. I have been through all my classes and am almost ready to get my K9 Good Citzenship Certificste I will then be able to go into nursing homes or hospitals and cheer up the residents. My Mom & Dad say they are the lucky ones, but I say that I am the luckest Puppy in the World.

Kelly
Crown Point, IN

Bella and Brie

I found Bella almost four years ago through the Italian Greyhound Rescue Organization in Arizona. She was 7 years old and a 'Biggie Iggy'. Just looking at her picture, I knew she was a sweet soul. A year ago, Brie was found wandering the streets of Denver when a good samaritan turned her in to rescue. She has brought much life and energy into our household. I feel fortunate and blessed to have them both in my life. They make me smile everyday!

Natalie Bassett
Colorado Springs, CO

DUMPED DOG TURNS INTO A HAPPY COLBY

On Super Bowl Sunday 2008 a pup and a young dog were dumped from a pick-up truck in front of an animal lover. Instead of chasing the truck she stopped and saved the dogs. They were put in foster care through a local rescue group. Colby didn't do well in his first foster home so he came to me. He resembles a Jack Russell with the accompany quirks and issues. Colby would also chase the cat and jump on the counter with her! Due to his circumstances he would also cower, roll over, and wet on himself any time somebody reached to pet him. Several months and two failed adoption attempts later Colby had become attached to us. He was comfortable with his surrounding and his people. Since he had found a place in my heart, and a spot on our bed, we decided to adopt him ourselves. It would have been detrimental to his well-being to figuratively dump him again after he made us his family! He is loved!

Deb Richards
GREENSBURG, IN

Buddy

We "rescued" Buddy from a neighbor who had a son with allegies and had Buddy on a lead in the front yard. He is so sweet and loving that he has even managed to win over our girls, Precious, Snowflake and Ms. Kitty, which is no small task. He loves to play fetch. He is so cute running around the house with one of his many puff or yarn balls in his mouth looking for someone to play. We would be lost without our little boy.

June
Sparrows Point, MD

Their loss, our gain

One evening, sitting on a neighbor's porch, a streak of white came running down the street. Jumping onto the porch then onto my lap, covering me in kisses I discovered a beautiful baby girl that needed a lot of attention. I KNEW her owners must be looking for her, but after 3 months of trying every avenue I could (newspaper, flyers, vets, shelters, petfinder.com, huskiestolove.com) no luck. The night we made the decision to keep her, I fell asleep next to her on the floor. I awoke a few minutes later with her paw around my shoulder as if to say thank you. She has been such a joy to our family and I'm so happy she chose me as her forever home.

Marcia
Parkton, MD