The joy of rescue.

[jimjr]

It's been three years since we rescued Teddy from a family that treated him terribly. He was crated for 10 to 12 hours and only fed and watered on occasion. When we got him he was untrimmed, unwashed, and matted so bad that he had to be shaved completely.
Over time we've mostly overcome a lot of his issues such as fear of most everything and everyone. It took us two weeks to teach him to use the "doggie door" because he was afraid of the flap. Our vet said his habit of "circling" would be with him for a long, long time, maybe forever.
Today Teddy is what we call a perfect little pooch. He sticks to me like glue and has the run of the house, loves to travel in the cars and RV and enjoys his daily walks.

In the past, we've spent big money to buy pedigreed puppies and have had some great companions but after this experience with Teddy we would only look to a rescue organization to adopt. There are many very good animals waiting to join caring families to get the attention they deserve.

[Chock_Full_o__N]

jimjr wrote:
It's been three years since we rescued Teddy from a family that treated him terribly. He was crated for 10 to 12 hours and only fed and watered on occasion. When we got him he was untrimmed, unwashed, and matted so bad that he had to be shaved completely.
Over time we've mostly overcome a lot of his issues such as fear of most everything and everyone. It took us two weeks to teach him to use the "doggie door" because he was afraid of the flap. Our vet said his habit of "circling" would be with him for a long, long time, maybe forever.
Today Teddy is what we call a perfect little pooch. He sticks to me like glue and has the run of the house, loves to travel in the cars and RV and enjoys his daily walks.

In the past, we've spent big money to buy pedigreed puppies and have had some great companions but after this experience with Teddy we would only look to a rescue organization to adopt. There are many very good animals waiting to join caring families to get the attention they deserve.

Awwww, this gives me a lot of hope for my Tiki-Bird. We've had him about 8 months and he was very much afraid when we got him. Lord, he was afraid of the dark, stop signs, pinecones, ribbons, and plastic bags, and numerous other odd things. God only knows what abuse he endured on the streets. He was almost dead when we got him from the pound.

But he has responded very well. He is still very afraid of men, especially if they're wearing a lot of black. And sometimes he will overreact if someone picks up something in their hand--a cup, a newspaper, a garden tool, a purse. When he really gets upset *he actually screams, he's so scared!* we have to just put him in his nice, safe crate with a blanket over it so he can settle down. It's the only thing that helps him calm himself.

Tiki was very afraid of being in the yard for a long time. He would run outside on leash, do his business and he was ready to get back inside. God, what has this little dog been through? Recently we finished fencing in the yard. He has tentatively explored his yard for the past 2 weeks. At first I had to literally walk around with him, the leash in my hand but not connected to him. This week he has been venturing to the fenceline by himself--but he keeps checking to make sure I'm standing nearby in his line of sight. He runs off the explore the yard, but pretty shortly he's back at my feet looking for some reassuring petting.

God bless the rescue animals and all their new parents. I think rescue dogs are truly grateful to their rescuers. I know mine shows me every day.

[dspencer]

I have to tell you about our rescue. The DW was surfing the rescue sites one evening in April 2 1/2 years ago. (she has since been blocked from rescue sites):W Anyway she found a little special needs Red Boston that was blind in one eye that had spent the first year and a half of his life in a puppy mill till the authorites raided it and he wound up in the hands of a local rescue group here in KC.

We called that evening and the lady was very up front with us that he needed some dental work and added that he absolutely didn't like males and that it may not work for him with a male being in the home. We did agree for a meet and greet the next evening. She brought him by our house the very next evening and when the wife let her in the front door i sat down on the living room floor and told her to turn him loose. He ran up the steps jumped in my lap and started giving me kisses and just settled into my lap like we were long lost friends. The gal from the rescuse agency just stood there dumbfounded and said she would have never guessed that reaction from him.

Well the rest is history. He adopted us 2 1/2 years ago and was accepted into our small pack of other Bostons and just absolutely loves to go camping with us. He rewards us every day of our lives together and never lets us know how he appreciates us rescuing him. He has truly become my heart dog.

[Gunner45]

We've successfully rescued 3 cats, but for some reason the dog rescues just don't like us. Which is interesting because we are constantly taking classes and learning. Our 14 yr old dd was pre-novice champion at our county fair in her age class. Our GSD has her CGC and we are working on her first obedience title.

We are actually meeting a breeder in November for a new Samoyed puppy that I can show in obedience and eventually agility!

I love it that others get picked for rescue and we still donate to several rescues 🙂


~ Dori ~

[magnusfide]

God bless you for choosing to rescue! You get 4 paws up from us!

[CatandJim]

All our pets, every one of them and there have been many, are rescued, either from a group, shelter or off the street. Some with issues that with love & training were correctable. I wouldn't have missed the chance to them watch transform into a happy pet for anything! 🙂

Thanks to all who open their homes & hearts to rescued pets!

Until there are none, rescue one!!

[Oaklevel]

We have never had luck with a rescue groups or shelters (always run in to the too goodies that want you to gather up all the neighbors feral cats, & cows and deer & have them neutered or no adoption as we are bad if we do not) but funny thing is we often rescue dogs from where the rescues place them & gotten great dogs that way.... We have rescued 6+ dogs over the years only bought one (cheap)....... All have been great dogs with the exception of the Dalmatian we really had to watch him as he had the taste of blood (killed numerous smaller animals).....but he lived out his life with us til cancer took him.......

[doxiemom11]

Our dogs have all been rescues. A puppy mill dog, a breeders dog that the breeder was "done" with, a 13/14 yr old that the family didn't want anymore even though they had had her since a pup, and our last a family moving that didn't want to take her as they never did really want her and also hadn't taken very good care of her We would have nothing but a rescue. They are not issue free, but are worth any trouble you go thru to help them adjust. Each one has been very special.

[xteacher]

Love rescues! We have two - Maddie, our westie/bichon or maltese mix, found wandering the road, very pregnant (delivered 5 puppies the day after my friend rescued her literally on her LAST day), and Nash, found wandering the road in Vidalia, GA (S. GA - need I say more??). They're both sweet as pie! They have their issues, but I don't know of a dog (or human, for that matter!) who doesn't!

[Mr__Patches]

Two paws up from us.....

GIVE ME A CHANCE....
(a shelter animals prayer)

I know that you don't know me.
But since I've caught your eye.
I need to ask a favor.
Please...
Just a moment of your time.

See I am but a child.
I don't want to go to sleep.
My whole life lies before me.
So much to do and see.
I'd like to know what it's like,
to have a family.
Feel the sun, warm on my fur.
A kind hand rub my belly.

All that I ask of you.
Is a chance to look ahead.
A little bit of food, some love.
An old towel for my bed.

If you can find a place for me.
In your home and in your heart.
My unconditional love I'll give.
'Til this world, my soul departs.

Please just one moment of your time.
While I make one last plea.
For I am but a child.
PLEASE don't make me go to sleep.


There are a lot of animals out there that don't have a home.
They are no different then the ones that cost hundreds of dollars in pet
shops. Except that they don't have long to live.
Give em a chance. I can tell you from experience. A shelter pet knows when
it's be given that chance. And it will be eternally gratefully to you for
it's life. And you will feel something from inside that you might never have
felt before.
Go on, give em a chance.
In memory of Fuzz.

[nabi]

Thank you for rescuing...even though they may be flawed, they will love you ( in their own special way ) forever.

[Broken_Oak]

We adopted a rescue. A friend from Cleveland Texas called to tell us a breeder threw a 4 week old puppy out because the female dried up and he (creep) doesn't bottle feed, we took him right away. We named him Chance; we were his last Chance and his only Chance. He is a Blackmouth Cur, the (creep) last owner was a breeder and trainer, the female was 12 years old and he didn't know that she bred within the pens. She dried up and his other 6 siblings died. He is a hard case but after 2 years he settled into the small pack of 3, him, mom and dad, no human is allowed to penetrate the pack. Animals (any and all species, except humans) are allowed to visit. He is now 7 years old, has allergies to everything and I think he was sent to us for a reason. We can afford his meds and our Vet is spectacular; she understand the hard cases and we all work together during Vet visits. If you are ever in Uvalde, TX and need a Vet, look up Dr. Theresa Coble. An angel in disguise. She rescues' from the local pound.

[romore]

Many rescue dogs make wonderful companions but buyer beware. Don't believe everything you are told and try to observe behavior beforehand particularly around children and other pets.
I came home to find a four legged squatter, a miniature schnauzer cross, in my yard. My wife had gotten him off cl from supposedly an elderly woman who was moving into a care home. Became quickly apparent that he had issues, he had a hate on for men. He would block the doorway and bite if I tried to pass, would snap for no apparent reason yet other times he was the sweetest most playful dog. He was also miserable with the other dog. We finally had enough and gave him to a trainer who had to put him down, the vet figured he was having seizures.
We now have a second toy poodle who appears to been badly treated. She is very submissive, pretty much ignores me, but follws my wife everywhere.

[colliehauler]

All my Collies are rescue. One came to the rescue that the family had lost there home and had to give him up, very loved. Anothe came from a breeder that was done with her. Another they thought owning a dog was to much trouble and left him tied up all day outside without shelter.