After moving to a small town where we could have a dog John kept asking, and asking. My sister directed me to a website for their local SPCA. We looked at the photos (I wanted a dachshund!) and kept coming back to a terrier mix named Oreo. He looked like he was having a bad hair day and he was not a dachshund, but there was something in his eyes. But he was 10? Could we handle maybe just having him a few years?? The caption under the photo said he was looking for his forever home. We went to visit and fell in love. He was extremely skittish. But we loved him and adopted him. He and John go on walks and I love to watch him prancing alongside. He is a people-watcher and is very stubborn, once he decides to sit down you cannot get him to move! He is such a charmer and a gentleman. I'm glad John kept asking.

Last April, I made a visit to our local shelter in Indio, CA to make a donation. I never walk outside to view the dogs. On this particular day, something made me go out. I walked the entire area and came to the very last kennel and there she was. The most precious little terrier mix justing sitting there, not barking, not jumping, just gazing at me. They told me she was only 9 weeks old and today was her first available day to be adopted. She had even been on the morning news that day in the adoption segment, so she was a celebrity!

I had no intentions of getting a dog, especially not a pupppy - I was only looking I told myself. I asked the kennel attendant if I could hold her and that was it. She snuggled my neck, licked my chin and looked at me with an all knowing expression that just said 'can we get this over with and go home now?' I named her Lola, because what Lola wants, Lola gets. It's been two years since that day and I am so thankful I took that walk.

Coopers Journey began when he was just a few days old. He was rescued from a house with his 13 brothers and sisters. They were black with dirt and fleas. They were immediately placed in foster care where they were cleaned up, all the fleas removed and hand nursed back to health. At there vet appointment when they got fixed and examined they found an umbilical Hernia, Cooper went in for Surgery. At that point he got the name bill. He spent the next few weeks at the rescue until he was able to be transferred to NY to a no kill shelter.

it was in November of 2012, It had been a rough week. My daughter was sick in the hospital. and It was my birthday. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I had stopped in pet smart to return an item and there he was. the cutest puppy. all white with red ears and freckles. and the most beautiful blue eyes. They knew us already as we got our other dog there, so they asked if I wanted to see him. I held him and his sweet little kiss just made my whole week better. I had to take him home.

He was so sweet didn't leave my side. But something wasn't right. I immediately contacted the vet. My thoughts were confirmed. Cooper was deaf. But we were bound to over come it. We taught him sign language and we learned it too.

Then as he got bigger we noticed something was wrong. again. Cooper wouldn't Jump up on the couch or the bed, He ran funny, and feel a lot. Again to the vet. Now Cooper has Hip dyspepsia. and again is going to need surgery. But he has come so far already and is only 9 months old. He rescued me that day and with my help and the wonderful Guidance of his sister Angel (His Ears) he can over come this too.

You can Follow Cooper's Journey as he works toward his Therapy Dog Training. and to over come his disability. https://www.facebook.com/Cooper.Journey

Our lives changed forever on July 10th, 2010. That was the day we drove the 3 hours to Sioux Falls from Fargo, ND and picked up our newest family member. I don’t know what I expected but it was clear to me from everything I’d been told by Judy at Dakota Dachshund Rescue (DDR) and what I began to experience that Chuck had a very hard start to life. In fact, MOST of his life prior to the 2 months since DDR rescued him from that puppy mill had to have been horrifying. Nothing will prepare you to see an animal behave as though at any moment you’re going to hurt him. With patience and understanding, Chuck began to realize that Justin and I were were “alright.” It started with circling around us or laying near us, but not touching us. About 3 weeks after we picked him up, I was sitting on the couch when I suddenly realized the little scheister had wiggled his way up on my lap! I was thrilled! And it has been nothing but improvement since that moment. I’m happy to report that Chuck loves his mommy and especially loves his big brother, Ollie. I see Chuck watching Oliver, studying him. And now, he mimics him. It occurred to me that he had never seen how a normal dog should act and was trying to model himself after his brother. It brought tears to my eyes. Chuck is very loving – he enjoys the sunshine through the patio window on a weekend afternoon, his regular food schedule (which he gets super excited for), his toys, our warm laps at night, curling up in a puppy pile with big brother…he’s taking everything in as fast as we can give it to him! We are beyond blessed and words cannot express how grateful our little family is for DDR and especially Judy, for helping us finding this little guy. He’s brought such happiness and appreciation to our lives. Thank you to the countless similar souls across this Earth that do this work day in and out!

We had been fostering for Colorado Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue for some time but had decided to stop fostering due to health issues. Peggy Sue had been running loose in the woods for months and would not let anyone get near, so Animal Control finally darted her. When she came into the rescue she did not trust humans and especially hated men. She would fear-charge any man who came too close.

Since there were no men in our household, she became our last foster and she was with us for months while being treated for heartworms. Gradually she learned to trust us, and she became the most tail-wagging, goofy Ridgeback we had ever seen. She decided that I was her person and followed me everywhere; she would only obey me. I have never had a dog decide so definitively that she was my dog and I was her person. So we adopted her. Now, three years later, she obeys my partner too, rolls on her back for backrubs, and gives us lots of kisses. She bends herself in half and hits herself in the face wagging her tail! She dances around with a silly grin on her face, especially when it is time for a walk. She has even learned to tolerate men (and cats)! Peggy Sue is such a joy in our lives, and we are so glad she insisted on staying with us.

Oreo, named by the kids in our neighborhood, (black and white) showed up in our area about a year ago. She ran from house to house to get food and loved everyone. In July, she had two kittens at my neighbors house. One of them found a home and when I went to see the other one, I fell in love with his tan markings and took him home. Ozzie, stole my husbands heart as well. Right after that the mama cat got pregnant again and had seven more babies. I just could not see this sweet cat living like that. So, my husband and I decided to have her spayed and find her a home as soon as her babies were given away. When she came home from the vet, she fit right in and had her baby there to lick, bite and chase. We found a home for her and I felt really good about the placement. Later that night, there was a knock on my door and there stood the lady that had taken her and said that I would have to come and get her. She said that she was wild and hanging from the curtains, biting and scratching them. So, I went over to her house and she was in fact acting crazy, but ran right over to me and started purring. I knew then that she was coming home with me to stay. She is such a good cat and loves her "baby", Ozzie. Both of them landed in their dream home, they are strictly indoor cats and never have to worry about anything, except for where the other will be hiding to "pounce" when the time is good!

Tiger, a pit bull, was doused in gasoline and set on fire by his owner in Trail Canada. He also had a broken tail and fractured hip, probably the result of abuse. He survived his ordeal and after several surgeries was nursed back to health by the SPCA and the pit bull rescue organization, HugAbull. We adopted this wonderful guy five years ago. He is a mellow and gentle dog, who loves everybody he meets. In 2009, in recognition of his resilience and sweet nature, he won the SPCA courage award. Tiger lost 30% of his coat, has scars in his face and had to have one ear amputated.

But to us he is the most beautiful dog!

My husband went to Oregon for work (we live in Wisconsin). One of his co-workers had a friend whose Lab had puppies. For some reason the mom rejected Bo and one of his brothers. He needed a home so my husband took him in. He was a shy nervous little guy. When he came to our house he had to get used to being around other dogs and cats. He was afraid at first, but he finally adjusted and is very happy and such a lovable dog. His favorite thing to do is either go to the field or lake and chase his ball. If he could he would play ball 24/7.

The little guy with him is Manny and he was a rescue also. I saw him at a petstore where a Rescue Shelter was trying to get dogs adopted and fell in love with him. They did not have much information about him or where he came from ect. however, the moment I saw him I knew I wanted him. My son later ended up going and getting him for me from the shelter. Manny and I both are happy even though he thinks he is in charge.

We had been looking for an older dog to adopt and I had been working with my friends at Westside German Shepherd. The first dog they chose for me passed away while he was in foster car and the second dog's foster Mom told me the day we were to meet him that the vet had given him a poor prognosis and she thought it best to keep him. He passed away shortly after.

At this point we were aching for a shepherd and I went on adopt-a-pet and found a dog who the profile said was living in horrible conditions. He'd been chained up outside for 6 years and needed a home desperately. They brought him over and we fell in love and he never left. He wasn't housebroken and had no manners but he was so sweet despite his horrible background that we knew he was ours. We shower him with love, he is kissed multiple times an hour and is our loyal companion.

He runs our lives but we wouldn't trade him for the world.

When Randy and I lost our first orange tabby, Colby, at nearly 19 years old, we didn't think we'd ever find a cat as wonderful as that sweet feline. We were about to retire, and knew travel on big bodies of water in our 40-foot trawler would soon begin in earnest. Yet I still occasionally checked the local humane society website just in case a special kitty caught my eye.

Then one day, there he was. A handsome, tall, energetic, orange-and-white stray the humane society dubbed Cheeto. I checked him out. Then I told my husband where I'd been and what I saw. He didn't seem interested, but did say if we ever got another cat, it would have to enjoy traveling on the boat. I thought, Colby had adapted--why not another kitty? But I mulled it over and decided the matter was a dead issue. Little did I know that Randy went to the animal shelter, paid for Cheeto's care, but didn't take him home. When I went back another day for a looksee, I learned "some man was very interested in him, too." I panicked. What a happy surprise when that man turned out to be Randy, who surprised me with Cheeto the next night. We never could understand why his previous owners never searched for this marvelous, happy, content, and sweet cat. Guess who became an excellent crew member on the boat?

I lost the Captain of my heart three years ago to a stroke, but my goofy orange pal keeps me company with his antics, dozens of vocalizations and love of cuddling. Shelters everywhere have a pet for every person. I am so glad I checked out this smart, silly and handsome fellow so full of happy love. He certainly helps heal the ache that such a sudden sorrow brought.