Bear and Bella: best friends through thick and thin

Bear and Bella are two best friends that stuck together through the good times and the bad.

Bear and Bella were littermates as puppies. As they got older, they learned that comforts were few. A meal was something rare. They grew thin, matted, and filthy. Fleas tormented them both, driving them to scratch at their skin. Bear began to lose her hair.

One day, Bear and Bella each had litters of their own. Bella had hers first. She cared for the puppies as best she could, but it was hard to keep up her strength, feed her pups, and clean them from the tormenting fleas. Next, Bear had her litter, five darling bundles of fur. She tried her best, but it was hard to feed so many when you're starving…

Bella came to Helen Woodward Animal Center first. Her ribs clearly shown through her black fur while she, and her puppies, were infested with fleas. She had taken enough care of her puppies that they could be weaned.

Two days later, we received Bear and her puppies, only three weeks of age by then. Bear's state was much like Bella's, she was malnourished and infested with fleas. She tried so hard to continue to feed her puppies, but sadly, she could not.

We decided that Bella, after weaning her puppies, could provide the extra nourishment for Bear's babies. They bunked together, with hopes that Bella would give Bear a little extra help. It worked! Bear cleaned her puppies and Bella picked up the extra slack with feeding time.

With Bella's help, Bear was able to gain the strength to care for her puppies alone now. Her and her puppies are doing great and are looking for their forever homes. Could you be the new best friend they are waiting for?

Helen Woodward Animal Center
Rancho Santa Fe, CA

The Story of Sophie Diane

One day my daughter sent me a picture and a story from the AADR website of “Poor old Sophie”. Sophie was 13 and had a sad history. I told my daughter that I just didn’t want to take a dog that old with so many issues. At work the next day, I couldn’t get her off of my mind so I began the process of adopting Sophie. I could tell by talking to Diane, AADR President, that Sophie had found a special place in her heart thus, Sophie became “Sophie Diane”.

Sophie came to our home with her 100% dachshund personality. Sophie quickly became the queen of our household and of our hearts. Just as I had expected, there were a lot of issues to work through. What I didn’t expect is how deeply we would fall in love with Sophie. In her life before AADR, Sophie had been kept on a hot deck in the heat with no water. We put water bowls all over our house: never again would sweet Sophie even have to walk far for a cool drink of water. We tried several sleeping arrangements and nothing worked until we put Sophie right in the middle of the “big bed” with us. In time she became incontinent, so we discovered that a medium sized baby onesie would keep her diaper in place.

The amazing thing about Sophie was how much she changed from a nervous, restless little girl to a trusting, loving member of our family. She learned to be loved and we learned how rewarding it is to love something that appreciates your affection so much.

Our precious Sophie Diane passed away on July 25, 2010. Just as we had prayed, Sophie quietly left “big bed” and crossed over the bridge from a peaceful sleep.

All American Dachshund Rescue (AADR)
Lewisburg, TN

A Match made in Heaven - A story of a boy and his dog

A member @ Humane Society of Midland County (HSOMC) fostered a large old lab that was to be euthanized. She soon realized that Angel was pregnant-13 puppies later she now had 14 dogs. Angel was so old that most of the pups were born with issues. One was blind. A lot had very little sight. More had growth problems. Many struggled with movement in general & couldn't stand up or walk.

One family wanted to return a pup named Dexter due to all of his problems but Dexter was the responsibility of their autistic son. They tried to explain to the boy why they were giving him back. The autistic boy saw himself in the dog. He too cannot move well. He told his parents if they gave Dexter back he would run away from home.

The parents gave in and have spent thousands on Dexter knowing he is doing as much for them & their son, as they are doing for him.

At a fundraiser, they were having a contest. As the contestants came off the stage, I noticed how much trouble a young man & young lab were having negotiating the stairs. It was only after they went by did I realize it was Dexter & the autistic child. Dexter & the boy won the contest. Up the stairs they went struggling with each step. The love that they have for each other is overwhelming. The boy doesn't know what he would do without Dexter, and Dexter would follow the boy through the gates of hell.

Before Dexter their son never slept. He fought going to bed, and he would toss & turn all night. Now he never argues about going to bed and sleeps through the night with Dexter.

A match made in heaven by an Angel.

Shelly Walczak, Volunteer, Humane Society of Midland County, MI
Midland, MI

A Rescued Puppy's Life

My name is Sabrina. My favorite hobby is biting the hose nozzle. I love to roll and tumble with my sister, Kristine, and kiss my big brother, Dakota. I even like snuggling with people. But things weren't always so good for me.

I try not to think about the first few months of my life. That was a dark and scary time for me and my sisters, Bella and Kristine. When M'Shoogy's Emergency Animal Rescue in Savannah, Missouri found us, we were cold and hungry. They had food, but we didn't want to go with them because we had never met nice people. The last guy we'd seen had a gun, and the other humans had left us in the country without food and water.

The M'Shoogy's people took us to a place where there were lots of other dogs who talked to each other a lot. My sisters and I just huddled in our kennel. People came to visit, but we didn't trust them.

One day, a lady took me home with her. She gave me a bath and put me on the grass in a big yard. I was too scared to move. It was bright and sunny, but I didn't know that I liked the sun. There were so many new and scary sounds! Finally, the lady carried me into the house. She put me in my own little house. I felt a little better, but I didn't want to come out!

I was pretty much frozen with fear for several weeks, but I learned about family love.

Now, it's fun being a puppy. Did I mention I'm a cattle dog? I still mess up sometimes. When mom says, "Potty outside!" I like to bite her calves. She says it smarts, but she loves me anyway.

Charlotte Grider
St. Joseph, MO

Colony Follies

My colony ended up being surrounded by new upscale urban sprawl. I realized that the colony would not be welcome as one euphoric feral roared up a tree, spun down it and proceeded to aerate a tulip bed. I started trapping and bringing them all in. They were all FIV positive anyways. Spring came, trapping done, and as I was going to stop coming to the site, I made one last check of my cat houses. There was Beauty and her newborns. The kittens and mother were caught, albeit late and feral, due to the antics of colony-opposed neighbours. I posted the picture of Beauty and her kittens in the straw on Petfinder and I got a call from Sandy McNally. Sandy had become distraught when she hadn't seen Beauty the cat she had been feeding for some time. Sandy began her search ending on Petfinder when she recognized Beauty. It was agreed that after Beauty had finished nursing this litter I would have her spayed and Sandy would adopt her. Beauty nursed away. She ate voraciously....the kittens were 5 months old when she began to lie on her back, feet in the air, an odd position for a cat....and she was very rotund. Another erroneous assumption? Sandy graciously agreed to foster Beauty and the litter to come. I was truly fortunate as I would not have been able to cope with this litter of Manxes. High maintenance is an understatement. There is a saying, own a Manx and make sure you have Pet Insurance. Beauty went on to play wet nurse to Hunter, another of Action Volunteers for Animals' orphaned kittens. Hunter is now the reigning Kat King in Sandy's household.

Roxanne Rideough
Pickering, ON, Canada

MAXX ~ One year later

Grab the tissues for "HAPPY TEARS" Maxx one year later.

Maxx was rescued Sept 2009 after ERU rec'd a call about a UNADAPTABLE Eskie, he was aggressive, food aggressive, aggressive with other dogs, injured leg, and was HW+., he was scheduled-to be PUT TO SLEEP.

He was adopted by a fabulous family in MD, after an exciting trip to his

new home in a big fancy private plane by "Pilots N Paws"

Hi Ms BJ and Eskie Rescuers United

Thank you for rescuing me in FLA.

I love my family. I get to go on walks and picnics to the pond with my

family. I also get to walk along the river spotting eagles and other

birds. I had so much fun playing in the snow this past winter. This

summer I went on 2 road trips with my family 1 to Niagara Falls Canada

and the other to Virginia. I got to sleep in a hotel bed and there

were biscuits, and a water bowl waiting for me each time we arrived

back to the hotel from exploring. I just loved traveling in the car

with them but I was glad to be home again too. I also got to go to

camp for a couple days with Cousin Lorie at the Bed & Biscuit doggie

resort. I had so much fun meeting new friends. The girls are getting

ready to go back to school and although I will miss them, I love

running with my mom to chase the school bus to the next stop after

Jillian gets on so we can wave one more time. I also love getting my

belly scratched, my hair brushed, and playing with my toys. I

especially like it when Grandee (mom's mom) brings me a yummy bone.

Love Maxx aka Maxwell

Eskie Rescuers United
New Smyrna Beach, FL

Dudley's Amazing Journey

Dudley was a stray beagle that was picked up on 10/27/09 by the Animal Care and Control in New York City. Someone threw acid on Dudley. He was a friendly fellow despite having sever burns on his back, neck and head. He was transported to the Animal Care Sanctuary in East Smithfield PA on 10/29/09 and immediately taken to the vet who diagnosed him with severe third degree burns all over his back. He was sedated and the wounds were debrided. Dudley had to wear a T-shirt for months as well as an e-collar. Dudley had to have a bath every three days with epsom salts and take many medications. Despite all of the painful treatment, Dudley wagged his tail and gave kisses to everyone. After three months of TLC and medical care Dudley was ready to find a forever home. On February 5th he was adopted and we receive many wonderful pictures of him, so happy with his new life.

Dudley is so happy in his new home. He has tons of space to run around, and lots of aromas to smell. He loves his new "sister" Copper. They play all day together. You can tell that he's had a "ruff" start on life...he's afraid of newspaper ( when I roll it up to start a fire in the fireplace ), and also frying pans, spatulas, and pretty much anything you put in your hand. But he is soooo friendly, and just loves to be around people. He even loves the cat! However, the cat has some trepidations with him. He's a real joy to be around and everyone just loves him.

You can't tell from the before picture, but he has made a wonderful recovery and loves his forever family.

Joan Smith-Reese
East Smithfield, PA

Jack and Jill

A woman was walking her dog in a wetlands area known to be inhabited by coyotes. The dog discovered something in high brush, and she heard a hissing. Fearful that it was a snake, she ran to the dog, and found instead a hard plastic pet carrier. It was upside down and covered with the muddy paw prints of coyotes which must have been pawing at it repeatedly, turning it and gnawing at it to get the two little kittens inside - the source of the hissing.

She brought them to a neighbor who is involved in cat rescue, who in turn took them immediately to her vet. He suspected they had been in the carrier for about 3 days during the current heat spell due to their severe dehydration and the urine and feces which by then had stained their belly fur light brown. The vet gave them an estimated birth date of 4/15/10.

Emergency fluids, a few square meals, and baths put them right. With time, their stained fur will become white again.

These brave kittens are as loving and healthy as any could be, to have survived the ordeal with not one problem emotionally or physically. They are real clowns, romping and playing together with glee. They are an absolute joy to watch.

Shortly after arriving at our rescue, they found a wonderful home - together!

The volunteers at The Peter Zippi Memorial Fund for Animals
Hermosa Beach, CA

You're Never Too Old To Be Rescued!

For the last year, my name has been Rocky. You see I ended up in a NJ shelter during the winter of 2009, the staff was told I was a stray. At the time I was 13-14 years old, heartworm and Lymes Disease positive. Regardless, the shelter staff gave me a chance to be saved because I am such a sweet, lovable guy. Well, I laid there getting sadder everyday, in fact, some say I had a broken heart because I felt alone and no one would consider me with all my problems. Even my sad brown eyes didn't win hearts of passers-by. Then one day a rescue volunteer from Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue in Warrington, PA came along to evaluate me and in spite of my age and health, Brookline rescued me for foster care and adoption. "My volunteer" immediately took me to a veterinarian, who suggested I was at least 15 years old, in poor health with only a couple of months to live. I heard her tell me that she and Brookline would stick with me to the end. It wasn't long before she decided to become my adoptive mom. I was cured of heartworm and Lymes. I really bounced back from a broken heart and our vet then thought I was closer to 13 years old. I've been enjoying life with four sibling canines and my mom for the last year. I'm lucky and doing great! Labs like me (toss away animals) can get a second chance for a happy life because of kind and caring shelter staffs, rescue volunteers, foster homes, and adoptive families. And I might add that it is a great idea to consider a senior animal for adoption, we are great additions to any family!

Mary Tennant / Brookline Labrador Rescue
Warrington, PA

Ambassador Blinky's New Life!

Blinky came to us by an Animal Control request; they had come upon her during a suspected dog fighting ring raid. When found by officers, Blinky was emaciated, dehydrated, very sick, barely clinging to life and it was discovered there had been an attempt to blind the kitten so she would be helpless when thrown to the dogs. We took her to our vet for immediate medical attention but her eyes were beyond repair or saving. We don't know how many cats were subjected to similiar brutality at the residence where Blinky was found, but we know that we're very grateful for the opportunity to give her another go at life; show her love and compassion she was denied at her start. Blinky is now a permanent rescue resident and has become inseparable with our director. An amazing cat, having totally learned the layout of her home, knows where all the food/water dishes and litter boxes are and she even climbs up/down the 7ft. indoor cat tree by herself to hang out on the top level for naps! Blinky also enjoys spending supervised time outside, rolling in the grass and dirt and she climbs trees like it is something she knows she should be enjoying. She doesn't climb very high before coming back down after her happy climbing exercise, but sometime she enjoys a merry game of "IT" before going back in. Our director is only too happy to oblige since we all know what a totally different fate this cat could have had. Blinky is now living a fulfilling life and goes to adoption days where she serves as an ambassador to help educate the public about dogfighting cruelty. Blinky enjoys visits from her growing number of admirers who are in awe of her loving personality and resilience.

Sydney Colvin-Gibbs, Catz Jazz Coordinator
Austin, TX