misterlovesrescue-blog

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Your Name:  Kayla Gower

Dog's Name:  Bernie (aka: Bean)

Breed:  

English Bulldog

Age/Years of friendship:  

1.5 years old

Where did you get your dog from:  

He was a breeder surrender to me

Location:  

Ogden, UT

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/georgiethecleftie

Story

When Bernie (aka: Bean) as about 2 weeks old, I got a call from the people I used to work with at a veterinary hospital in Washington state.  They said they had a litter of bulldogs come in today with 4 of the 8 having cleft palates.  I certainly was not planning on getting another dog, especially having 2 already with special needs and being in Utah it seemed like an impossible task to get to the babies.  Of course, these are my old coworkers and the ones that had seen me foster 9 other cleftie babies, so they knew what to say. “There is one that lived out of the 4, and by the way he is George’s (my other cleft dog) brother.”  That’s all it took to pile into the car and take the 24-hour road trip to get the Bean and make him part of the “pack” as we know it now.

Bean was complicated and high needs as most cleft puppies are, however what was special about him was surviving a very rare brain/spinal cord condition called discospondylitis (basically the short story was I went to bed with a healthy happy 12-week-old puppy and woke up to a totally confused and paralyzed medical emergency). After his battle with “disco”, the cleft palate surgery was performed as soon as possible due to our new-found knowledge of how compromised his little immune system was.  However, in typical Bean style, he struggled through surgery and had us all on our toes throughout his recovery in anticipation of what kind of life I hoped he would be able to live. Between his cleft palate and the complications from “disco,” he has been through so much more medically than I would ever wish for any living being. Yet, he is a shining example of the fight to live that breaths within each one of these little special needs babies and in any one of us, if we choose to harness it.

Despite his rough start at life, Bean now lives a fulfilling life with George (his biological brother and fellow cleftie) and Paisley (his jack Russell “sister” that was a rescue from an abusive home).  Having 3 special needs dogs is by far one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of my life. Bean brings such joy and balance between the 2 others, it’s hard to think what life ever was like without him in our home.  His favorite trick is “smile” where he runs up and sits on your feet (with his back against your legs) and sticks his little underbite up in the air as high as it can go, while wiggling his whole body a million miles an hour.

Bean has the weirdest personality and really, depending on the day, can be as brave and fierce as a lion or a snugly and timid of the world.  He is my little wild card and yet, the most willing-to-please love bug you will ever meet. His pint-size body is clearly not a representation of the large spirit that boy has.   The most amazing thing about Bean that I get to see daily, is the bond him and George share.  Call me crazy, but I swear they know they are real brothers. You can’t find one without the other and Bean always looks at George for guidance just like any other little brother would.  The bond they share is something I will treasure forever and can make any bad day just fade away.  I can’t help but just smile at them snuggling together at my feet and just thinking to myself that they really have no clue how great of a miracle each one of them is.

This is Bean and my story. What's yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Your Name:  Lance Miyamoto

Dog's Name:  Chibi

Breed:  

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Age/Years of friendship:  

11 years

Where did you get your dog from: 

 from Lisa Miyamoto (sister)

Location:  

Mission Viejo, CA

Story

I just kissed my dog on his head and he howled with joy.  And he’s not even a howler.  So here I am, smiling, as I begin to write what he’s meant to me. My dog, Chibi, is an 11-year old pembroke welsh corgi--the type of dog known for its fox-like head, stubby legs, and knob tail.  I first saw him after coming home from college in 2006.  He was a tiny puppy who barked like a mouse.  His short legs stopped him from climbing over anything, including my legs as I extended them across the width of the hall. But that was then.  Now, with a little more size and a louder voice, he’s matured to be a dog who colored my life in ways I wouldn’t have expected. There was a time when I was bedridden for over 3 years.  Even as I isolated myself from the world, stuck in a cycle of depression, Chibi was there to comfort me.  He didn’t ask for attention; he gave it.  He would sleep beside my bed, occasionally poking my arm or leg to ensure I was okay.  And it’s these small gestures he expressed that often reminded me what it is to be loved. Chibi has also taken me to parks and trails that I wouldn’t have otherwise explored on my own.  He’s walked me more than I’ve walked him.  When I felt too lazy and tired, he’d nudge me off my chair and remind me how beneficial a brisk walk could be. The other day Chibi was sunbathing in the backyard, looking into the cloudless sky as he panted from the heat.  I saw a glimpse of his smile.  In that moment, I was reminded to live in the present.  He had no worries about the past or the future.  He simply enjoyed the beautiful day.  And so did I. This is Chibi and my story.  What’s yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Your Name:  Kayla Gower

Dog's Name:  Georgie

Breed:  

English Bulldog

Age/Years of friendship:  

Almost 3 years old

Where did you get your dog from:  

He was a breeder surrender to me when I worked as a “nurse” at a vet hospital

Location:  

Ogden, UT

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/georgiethecleftie

Story

I will never forget the day I met George. I was working as a “nurse” at a vet hospital and his breeder had brought his mom in for a routine c-section.  It was an insanely busy day, like normal, and I hadn’t even had a chance to breathe until my coworker pulled me aside and told me about a tiny little cleft-puppy that needed a chance at life. Now, this was not unusual for me to be brought into these situations, as I had fostered 8 additional other neonatal puppies with clefts and other birth defects and had 4 years of vet experience at the time. Most of the time these dogs are euthanized immediately for a variety of reasons ranging from the odds being horribly stacked against them without around the clock medical care, to simply... you can’t sell a cleftie for a profit.  So, their only chance is for someone to take them in.

Now, I think it is important to note that the day I met George, was a part of my life that had been particularly “dark.” I was barely keeping my head above water with my own medical issues, my family going through what seemed like war, and trying to wrap up my senior year of college. I was NOT in the position to take on a neonatal cleft. But, when I looked at that 15-minute old baby and the doctors I worked with kept saying “nobody would blame you if you can’t take on this one, he has one of the worst clefts we have ever seen” something inside me knew this puppy had to come home with me. I needed him as much as he needed me, I knew it in my gut. At the time, I clearly remember saying “I know he has about a 1% chance of survival, but 1% is better than 0” and the rest is history.  George had the fighting spirit I needed in my life.  I am not exaggerating when I say it was a struggle to keep him alive most days, and he was brought back with CPR twice before he was even 3 months old. He had his second nostril built into the side with the cleft lip when he was about 4 months old (he was only born with 1 functioning nostril on his non-cleft side) and had his cleft palate surgically repaired when he was 10 months old.  He got cancer when he was 2 years old, and even beat the odds with that too.  He is the definition of a medical miracle walking.

I think it is a vital aspect of our story to know a bit of what we went through together to understand why we have the bond we do.  I was both “mom” and owner to him, and because of that we have a bond I have never experienced with any other living thing, seriously.  He can pick up if I am sick or upset, faster than I even know it myself. He depicts more “human” responses than I have ever seen in any other dog. From, recognizing when he needs to be calm around children or me when I’m having an anxious day, to being protective when he feels my tension about an unwanted stranger approaching us on a night walk.  Still, he is the goofiest ball of energy and personality. I call George my “once-in-a-lifetime dog” because that truly is what he is to me and everyone else. By all medical standards, he shouldn’t be here with me today, and just by existing he constantly reaffirms my faith in what a warrior spirit can do.  I plan to continue to rescue and rehabilitate special needs puppies like George in the future, but for now I am convinced he is immortal and I never will never have to think about the day that he isn’t with me to carry on this special legacy.

If there was one thing I hope people learn from George’s story is to remember that special needs DOES NOT mean lost cause.  It is does not mean you can sweep him under the rug and pretend he never existed and it does not mean he is any less of a dog.  He lives an amazingly fulfilling life and embodies what it means to live to the fullest and embrace your differences.  Just as much as I gave him a chance at life, by him entering my world it gave me a chance to be a better human and gain a better understanding of people and dogs with special needs.  I think everyone could be reminded by George to love one another despite differences in our physical appearance or the circumstances we were born into.  

This is George and my story. What's yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

My Name:  Elaine Netherton

Dog's Names:  Guinness, Winston and Daisy

Breed:  

Affenpinscher

Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffon

Gotcha Days:  

Guinness on March 28, 2008

Winston on December 27, 2008

Daisy on January 11, 2011 

Location:  

Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/threerescuemonkeys

Story

Our little Guinness was our first monkey and he came to us with an abject fear of everything.  He was terrified to leave our house and should he ever encounter people, other animals or new places he would shake uncontrollably and be completely unable to function.  Luckily we found some wonderful positive reinforcement trainers who slowly helped begin to reverse some of the trauma Guinness had experienced prior to joining our family.  We worked with Guinness on a daily basis, slowly exposing him to what would eventually become happy things for him, and we then felt Guinness was ready for a companion.  

This is when we found our wonderful Winston.  His original “guardians” locked Winston in his crate, and then moved out of their apartment, abandoning him, leaving him to perish.  He was heard crying and eventually found 4-5 days later emaciated and only 7 pounds (he is now 20).  The Affenpinscher rescue saved him and he lived with a wonderful foster family in Indiana, who we are still in contact with, prior to joining our family.  Winston also carried some baggage from his previous life, but was a happy and loving boy, who immediately started helping his brother Guinness to start coming further out of his shell.  Winston was a true angel not only for us, but especially for Guinness.Our last family member sweet little Miss Daisy, well, she just belonged with us and when we were told about her from National Brussels Griffon Rescue, we knew she would be such an important part of our little monkey family. NBGR was able to save her from being sold to a puppy mill and ensured her safety with her foster family (again who we are still in contact with) until we were lucky enough to find her.  Daisy has brought so much joy from the moment we drove her home from Ohio.  Her favourite thing in the world is to give hugs - she wraps her little paws right around your neck and just hugs and hugs.  Winston and Daisy continue to spread their love through the Burlington Humane Society’s Pet Therapy program, where they are special pup therapists visiting local senior residences and hospices delivering many kisses that result in many smiles.  The joy a dog can bring is immeasurable.  Every single day, our lives are better because these three little monkeys are in it.  We have learned so much from them and are eternally grateful for their love.  We will always adopt, as it is impossible for us to imagine a life without the love of dogs. 

The monkeys even wrote their own poem about their rescue journey: 

We are three little monkeys with our stories to write Each about our journeys from darkness to light

Sir Winston was abandoned and left there to die Guinness was a frightened and lonely, little guy

Our sweet sister Daisy was going to be sold Into a horrible life of breeding until she grew old

We are grateful to the rescue groups that gave us safe harbour And thankful to the foster parents who bridged us even farther

Mummy drove for hours to pick us up in her car The mileage didn’t matter, she didn’t care how far

The lives we once had may have been hard to rise above But our paths to today, led us to an abundance of love

We may not know our birthdays, but that’s just chatter Each of our Gotcha Day’s are all that really matter

With all that in mind, we love our lives today We are happy, silly monkeys who truly love to play

We love our pup pool, our naps, walks and treats We love when Daddy sings to us, even if he’s off beat

We love our Grandpawrents and our Aunts and Uncles too We just love everybody, and Hound and Friends... especially you.

Mummy always says to us “I’m so glad we adopted you” But then she thinks again and ponders… “who rescued who?"   

We are Guinness, Winston and Daisy, and that’s our story…. what’s yours??? 

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Your Name:  Cora de With

Dog's Name:  Toby

Breed:  

black Labrador

Age/Years of friendship:  

7 years

Where did you get your dog from:  

don't remember their names but i'm sure they preferred to stay anonymous

Location: 

Heerenveen, Holland

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/coor.white

Story

We just felt we had room to spare to adopt another sweet dog. Maybe a friend for Pike to play with?

Through a website we found Toby. When we met the owners I recognized they had a sweet heart and good intentions but they where in over their head with all their dogs and Toby got the worst end of the deal. They had one bowl of food to split among all 6 dogs each day and giving Toby's sweet nature he barely ate. But boy, did he make up for it later hahaha. I have never ever seen a dog eat like that! He practically inhaled his food haha.

And because of his previous bowel infection he couldn't feel it coming when he had to do a number 2 you know. So you could be walking with him, all chill and la de da and suddenly he just...went. Embarrassing? Yes. Angry? Never. It wasn't his fault.

And because of his earlier malnutrition he became quite food obsessed. He even tried to eat the chewing gum of the streets. One New Years Eve he just split, ran away and went on a feeding binge. We were at my moms house and she had the cutest fluffy bed for her dog. So Toby returned by himself about an hour later (we were still wandering and roaming the cold snowy streets for him) and he just laid down. Stomach blown of course. And you can almost guess it...the fluffy cute little bed had it coming. That night he emptied everything inside him on that bed. It was the most foul stench New Years morning ever. The bed was doomed and ended up in bed heaven, aka, the garbage bin.But still...angry? No. You knew he couldn't help it and his sweet eyes and gentle heart got to you every time.

He is probably the most scruffy and smelly dog we ever had but he was worth the smell and icky because he was so sweet and so happy with us. And he loved to jump, splash and swim in the water and those great days with him at the water cleaned him right up haha.

We had him for 7 years, 2 years ago we said goodbye to our gentle friend and we still talk about him. To each other and with family. Those memories last and while I'm typing this I can't help but smile when I think about his big head on my lap, his eyes gazing so friendly in mine, and his sudden frown when he lets out another smelly fart. God, we loved that dog so much.

This is Toby and my story. What’s yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Your Name:  Christine Hilberg

Dog's Name:  Puka

Breed:  

American Bulldog/Boxer mix

Age/Years of friendship:  

born March 1, 2011

Where did you get your dog from:  

Gift from our friend.

Location:  

Los Angeles, California

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/chilberg

www.pukaismyhomie.com 

Story

Growing up my family always had pets. When I moved to Los Angeles it was the first time I didn’t have some type of animal at the house to look after. That all changed in 2011. My best friend at the time was a big advocate for animal rescue. She worked with rescue dogs most of her life. Whenever we would hang out it was always with her oldest dog named Dolly. She was always telling me that my boyfriend and I should invite a pet into our lives, but I didn’t think it was the right time. One day my friend sent me a picture of a tiny puppy with a cleft lip she found at a bus stop. The puppy was adorable and was even wearing a bow tie as a collar. After taking the pup to the vet to make sure her cleft lip wasn’t a major medical issue, my friend asked me to come over to meet the new dog. Since she already had a couple rescue animals of her own, I offered to foster the puppy till she found a home. By the time the weekend was over, my boyfriend and I knew we were never letting that puppy go! We named her Puka because she reminded us of a puka shell with her sandy, brindle markings and cleft lip. Pretty soon she was the center of our whole world. We started working with a dog trainer for basic obedience and the more I worked with Puka the more she seemed to enjoy it, and surprisingly I began to feel rewarded too. Our bond quickly grew. Her personality began to really shine through and she became less of a pet and more of a member of our household. As we moved up to the next level of training I could see she was a very special dog. I began to post about her on my Instagram page because I was so excited about her growth and achievements. Because of these experiences I was exposed to the world of animal rescue. Knowing that Puka came into my life by chance it became clear to me that gaining her friendship was like winning the lottery. I knew I wanted to contribute to the community so that other dogs like Puka would be able to find homes, not only for the betterment of their lives, but because of how much joy rescuing a dog can bring to the life of the rescuer. Since that day in 2011 Puka has been the reason for so many of our actions and adventures. My involvement with NKLA and other rescue organizations, the amazing community of animal advocates I have met and become friends with through Instagram and adoption events, and the neighbors we have become friends with in our area just by going on a walk and striking up conversations with them about their pets, is all due to Puka being in my life. Puka has helped me to push out of my comfort zone, encouraged me to travel more, and she was a constant companion during an incredibly tough time my family went through during my mom’s battle with cancer. Having Puka has taught me so much about myself and in some ways gives me another level of purpose in life outside of the regular day-to- day things. She has taught me about communication, patience, having fun, and the excitement of just being silly. In all senses of the word Puka represents happiness to me. If I were to tell anyone about Puka, I would say that once you rescue an animal your life will be filled with something so much better. This is Puka and my story. What’s yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Name:  Cora de With

Dog's Name:  Pike

Breed:  

dachshund jack Russel mix

Age/Years of friendship:  

he is 11 years old,10 of which in our care.

Where did you get your dog from:  

my mom Anja Wever gave Pike to me on my birthday. I don't remember his previous owners name.

Location:  

Heerenveen, Holland

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/coor.white  

Story

Pike came to us in august 2007. He had just turned one in April. His owners seperated and his owner worked 2 jobs now and felt sad for Tyson (that was his name she gave him) that he was alone at home so much. A month earlier we had lost our dog under very sad circumstances and I couldn't bare to be home alone without a pooch. And there came Tyson aka Pike. we had a great match with him and his owner and she trusted us to love Tyson with all of our hearts.) But we didn't feel much for the name they gave him, Tyson..his shortened name would be Tys and in dutch that is like Thijs. A very common name. And since we enjoyed the movie Snatch so much, which featured gypsies aka travelers (pike was kinda a traveler,moving homes and all)  aka Pikey's, and Pike has the same ring to it as Tys,it became Pikey.   My husband and i had been struck with enormous grief because of the death of our previous dog and he said he would guard his heart more the next time. But I knew...   Pike is with us for almost 10 years now. We don't have children of our own and Pike...he's the baby. He sleeps with us in bed, between us, and he almost has bald spots from all the kisses he gets haha. and yes, also from my husband. Pike has won him over completely. Yes, the grief when you lose a pet is awful but it doesn't match up against the joy of giving and receiving love from one and my husband has completely turned around again. And it gives him so much joy again     Pike is where we are. He has his own seat at the dinner table, a spot on the couch and as said before, in bed. But at night he's a grumpy fella. A soft breeze of my toes touching his fur at night makes him gnarl lol. But he never, ever lashes out.   When we kiss, he needs a kiss. When we raise our voices at each other, mostly because of joking around, he raises his voice. When either of us feel sad, he's calm. And when we listen to music, he enjoys it from his own little bed next to the stereo. He loves Sunday afternoons when I listen to music, it makes him relaxed as well.   His short stubby legs still make me squeal (don't know if I'm saying this right, but i think you know what i mean),his cute puppy eyes wins us over every time, and when we go to bed and he lies between us we are still amazed how much love there is to feel between pet and human. It amazes us, every time.   Before Pike we raised a dog from pup to adulthood but sadly lost her at a very young age, and before that we also had an adopted dog. Even a few years during Pike time so to say, we adopted a Labrador. He was already at an older age when we got him but he had some joyful years left in him to spend with us. We said goodbye to him 2 years ago.   We never want a pup again, unless its already a pup that's up for adoption. There are so many loving dogs who need a new home and so many people with love and a home to give.   But for us its going to take a looooooooong time to adopt again cause I made a deal with Pike that he lives up to be 34 years old ;)   This is Pike and my story.  What’s yours?   Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Name:  Tawnie

Dog’s Name:  Wicked

Breed:  

Yorkshire terrier

Age/Years of friendship:  

3 years

Where did you get your dog from:  

A relative decided to give him up

Location:  

Garden Grove, CA

Website:  

www.bonjourtoutou.com

Story

If pictures can speak a thousand words then let this one tell the story of a pint size Yorkshire terrier who survived the outdoors as a puppy, mostly alone, and afraid.  I removed Wicked from his previous home because underneath the matted hair and flea infestation was a beautiful dog that deserves to be loved and cared for.  I had never had a dog, never wanted one, and never thought in a million years that I’d become a dog person.  After a couple of week I got used to having this little body following my every footsteps and the idea of him coexisting didn’t seem so bad.  He became not just a pet but my baby.  I wanted to take him everywhere I go.

Having Wicked in my life taught me patience, tolerance, and most of all compassion.  I use to think that all dogs were dirty, yappy, and unpredictable.  I came to learn that they are all different with personalities, preferences, and gives unconditional love.  With all the things happening around the world, spending time with him, cuddling, and learning new tricks keeps me sane and reduces my stress and anxieties. Since having Wicked I’ve adopted a second dog and started Bonjour Toutou, a place for dog lovers. We’ve rehomed 2 dogs that was neglected by their owners, participated a 5k walk/run benefitting dogs/human with cancer, and participated in adoption events.  All of which would never have happened if I didn’t open my heart and home to Wicked. I hope the world can see them as I have, loving, loyal, and pure.  

This is Wicked and my story.  What’s yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Your Name:  Hanako

Dog's Name:  Benji

Breed:  

Chorkie (chihuahua/yorkie)

Age/Years of friendship:  

3 years and 8 months

Where did you get your dog from:  

PetFinder 

Location:

Vermont, USA

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/hanako_and_benji

www.facebook.com/TheKiwiPhotographyCrew

www.hanakoandbenji.wordpress.com

Story

Three years ago, I was finally ready to get a dog and was looking for a French Bulldog puppy, like I had always wanted. I was going to get a female and name her Meatball. As I was doing my research on the Internet, somebody pointed out that I should look on petfinder.com, which I had never heard of. As I was browsing through this newly discovered website, my eyes stopped on this tiny, shaking, cute little fella named Sailor, a puppy mill rescue. Although he was half Yorkshire terrier, his facial expression and stance screamed "chihuahua" and he looked exactly like Kiwi, my first chihuahua that passed away a few years back. When I noticed, my fingers were already typing out a message to the foster mom. Some people had filled out an application for him before, but mine was the first one to get accepted. I felt like we were meant to be together. The same weekend, I was on my way to Vermont, which was supposed to be 4 hours away.

After 6 hours of getting lost in the mountains, I was on my way back to Canada with Sailor, now named Benji, sleeping on my lap. Today, I can't imagine my life without Benji. He's the one who pushed me to pursue a new career in teaching so I could get the summers off with him. He's the one who was licking my face when I was a mess from breaking up with my boyfriend of 7 years. He's the one who makes everything better when I'm back from a long day at work. He's the one who helped me talk to new people and make new friends although I'm an introvert at heart. Benji is my best friend and my partner in crime. I love him to bits and I still wonder to this day... who was the rescued one after all?    

This is Benji and my story. What's yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

aww thank you so much for doing this Lili! I really appreciate it! I hope you’re having fun reading other stories!! xoxo

Your Name:  Lili Chin

Dog’s Name:  Boogie

Breed:  

Boston Terrier

Age:  

Boogie is 12 years old

Where did you get your dog from:  

Boston Buddies Rescue

Location:  

Los Angeles, CA

Social Media Links: 

www.instagram.com/lilita_yaya

www.facebook.com/doggiedrawings 

Story

Back in 2007, I was fostering boston terriers for Boston Buddies rescue.  Two of my fosters were seniors with serious medical issues and they passed away within months. Another foster was adopted within weeks. When I had to let these dogs go so soon (and it was hard!), I realized that I was ready to have my own forever friend. So I adopted Boogie and he has now been with me for 9 years. 

I love Boogie so much. He is such a huge part of my life - as family, friend, teacher, muse, art model - that I can’t simply sum up how much he means to me. Boogie is my first adopted dog, and I didn’t know that having a dog could bring so much emotional drama, and also become a life-changing part of my work as an artist. In the first few months of living with Boogie, he was adorable. He was like the perfect dog. And then one day, he bit a person and I almost got kicked out of my home and asked to get rid of him.This traumatic event initiated me an ongoing education about dog behavior, and dog training methods to help Boogie cope with things that make him bite. I learned that there is so much misinformation out there about dogs. There is so much bullshit on TV and the internet about aggressive/reactive/sensitive dogs, as there is a lack of education on dog body language (what is my dog feeling/communicating?) and how to change our dogs’ behaviors humanely, without resorting to aversive methods (like dominance, collar corrections, alpha rolls, etc)   

I truly feel that living and learning with Boogie - with all the ups and downs that we have been through - has opened my eyes and made me a kinder and more patient human being. He is the most patient and loyal friend I have ever had. Boogie may not be a perfect dog, but he is perfect for me.

There are people who say that rescue dogs are “damaged”  - who knows what happened to them before they ended up at a shelter or rescue? - and so there are people who would rather buy a puppy from a store than adopt a used or abused dog. Heck, many of us humans have also grown up with traumatic experiences and yet we have thrived and are able to accomplish amazing things in spite of our pasts. I feel the same way about rescue dogs and what they offer us. Would I adopt another rescue dog knowing that he or she has issues? Yes.  

This is Boogie and my story. What’s yours?  

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com 

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Name:  Cora

Dog’s Name:  Rhoda

Breed:  

Rottweiler Doberman

Age/Years of friendship:  

13 years

Where did you get your dog from: 

gift

Location:  

Heerenveen, Netherlands

Social Media:  

www.Instagram.com/anjawever59

Story

In 1983 our daughter Cora was born and in 1985 Rhoda came to our home as a puppy from 8 weeks old.She was a Rottweiler Doberman mix and the cutest little pooch.She was as sweet as they come. Growing up together it became obvious that she saw it as her job to protect that little girl.Only after a few month she barked her tiny bark to everyone who approached our daughter and wasn't familiar to her.Growing up together was like seeing two sisters growing up.Best friends for life. When I had night shift Rhoda slept with her on her room. Have to mention that she of course was a teenager then!! But it felt really safe.My daughter became a great animal lover too and I am sure that's because she learned to be gentle and respectful to animals this way!Rhoda past away at the age of 13. She had colon cancer. But she had a long and very happy life with us. She will always be in our hearts

This is Rhoda’s and my story. What’s yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Name:  Judy Phan

Dog's name:  Bane

Breed:  

Pug Mix 

Age:  

4 years old 

Where we got him:  

from family 

Location:  

Garden Grove, CA 

Social media:  

www.instagram.com/phannjudyy   

Story

My name is Judy and dad's name is Nick. Our dog’s name is Bane and he is a pug mix. We have had four years together since he was a little pup. My aunt’s dog had puppies and she wanted to find nice homes for the puppies since she was a mother of 4 grown dogs. I was given the task of finding amazing and loving homes for these three puppies to go to. I brought these pups to my boyfriend’s house and he fell in love with the little runt of the litter who loved napping more than anything else. He decided right then that Bane was the perfect pup for him. As Bane got older and bigger, he has shown us time and again how amazing it is to be loved with no expectation of anything in return. He has an alpha dog personality and shows us pure loyalty by wanting to protect those he loves. Bane is the spunkiest little thing we have ever had the pleasure of knowing but has an amazingly big heart. His soft spot is hanging around with the kids and bringing them toys. He hasn’t only showed his kindness to his family but children he finds when we go out to the park or on walks in new places. Having a dog really teaches you that no matter how rough of a day it has been, there is always light rising the next day (our light being Bane). I believe that Bane represents unconditional love and joy in our lives and he does not stop with the goofy smile and running so close to your legs that you trip. We have always wanted to get Bane a little brother or sister since he loves other dogs so much but we currently don’t have the space. Our next dream is to adopt a little one that can learn how to tug on heartstrings just like their older brother. I can never thank the universe enough for gifting us a soul like Bane’s. I also want to thank the universe for gifting us a little pup that takes after his dad’s personality and really is a carbon copy of my beloved boyfriend. Mom and Dad love you to the moon and back. 

 This is Bane and my story. What’s yours? 

 Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Your Name:  Carla

Dog's Names:  Pixie and Chelsea

Breed:  

Portuguese Podengo Small

Age/Years of friendship:  

10 years and 9 years old

Where did you get your dog from:  

Paulo my boyfriend gave them to me

Location:  

London, United Kingdom

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/pixie_and_chelsea  

Story

I was so shocked when the doctor told me I had depression but it made sense with all the symptoms I was having, it was just hard to admit because I  hate being ill… My boyfriend gave me Pixie as a birthday present, I was so happy, I had something else to focus my mind with, I had the responsibility to take care of my dog and every little thing she did was so funny. She saved me from ‘drowning’ and I am so thankful how a little dog can make such a difference in our lives. A year later we went to get Chelsea to keep Pixie company and it made our family complete. Chelsea is so chilled and playful that she made us smile all the time. It’s a blessing having them. The best thing is arriving home from work stressed and tired and be greeted at the door by them (impossible not to smile and forget about the day). Chelsea was a hard to sell dog because of her eye defect (different coloring) she was one of those puppies that would be left there until god knows when, so Paulo got her with a discount + sale price + promotion… only just because the seller didn’t want to give her for free. But she would be worth any money in the world because she’s awesome and together Pixie and Chelsea are a dream team.

This is Pixie, Chelsea and my story. What's yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Your Name:  Tim Hsu

Dog's Name:  Toby Hsu

Breed:  

Golden Retriever

Age/Years of friendship:  

13 years

Where did you get your dog from:  

family friend

Location:  

Hacienda Heights, CA

Story

I first met my dog when my mom brought him home when I was about 16 years old. When I saw that small golden fluff ball I fell in love immediately. He has been with me for the past 13 years and has been an integral part of our family. To me my dog is more than just a pet, he’s my brother. When I’m having a bad day I can always count on my dog to greet me at the door with a smile on his face and his tail wagging. The unconditional love expressed by dogs is something everyone should aspire to. I cannot imagine a life where I do not have a dog, it would definitely be darker that's for sure.

This is Toby and my story. What's yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Name:  Jenn

Dog's Name:  Beau

Breed:  

Shihtzu mix

Age/Years of friendship:  

8 years

Location:  

Canada

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/beausybear

Story

Eight years ago we decided to take the pet plunge. After researching into what would be the best pet for our family a shihtzu seemed to tick all the boxes. Small, yet sturdy, affectionate, low shedding, soft, and with a medium activity level. Our friends let us babysit their shihtzu for a week so that we could get a realistic idea of what having a dog would be like. Growing up on a farm, my husband believed animals were to stay outside so this was a huge mind shift for him to have a house dog. Luckily, after our "shihtzu test week" we were hooked and decided to find a dog of our very own.

We brought Beau home on a freezing cold February afternoon and our lives have been warm ever since. My husband, who initially was reluctant to get a dog, now says Beau is his fuzzy best friend. Our lives have been enriched with Beau's presence. Her patience, calm demeanor, playful moments, and quiet communication makes her our most precious girl. She always wants to be where we are and we are happy to oblige. Walks to her mean sniffing at a glacial pace, for about 2 blocks, and then doing the mannequin challenge until one of us picks her up and carries her. She seems to know our every move, mood and thought. Our entire family sings to Beau, talks about her in third person (even when she's not with us) and compete for her attention.  Her utmost trust in us is responsibility we are grateful to keep. We love her unconditionally and always will.

This is Beau and my story. What's yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Name:  Carla

Dog's Name:  Bidu

Breed:  

Mix breed

Age/Years of friendship:  

14 years

Where did you get your dog from:  

We found him on the streets

Location:  

Lisbon - Portugal

Social Media Link:  

www.instagram.com/carlaqlondon

Story

I always wanted a dog but my parents never liked the idea and finally when I was 20 my wish came true. My neighbor had found this little puppy on the rubbish bin outside when he was leaving work. He heard crying and found him and brought him home but he had another dog so he was looking for someone who would take him in. It was love at first sight, he was so tiny (probably not even 6 weeks according to the vet) I just melted. I asked my Mom and because it was my birthday I asked if this could be my only present. Best day of my life and it continued to be everyday for the 14 years he was with us. He always made us so happy, we laugh with every little thing he did, he was clever and protector and so loyal and the tears we cried when he crossed the rainbow bridge were as many as the smiles he gave us... and that was a lot of tears I guarantee you! It’s been 9 years since he died but we speak of him with the same love when he was alive. He will be forever a part of me a part of my life and I will love him forever and there not a day that I don’t wish he was still here with me.

This is Bidu and my story. What's yours?

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com

[misterlovesrescue-blog]

Your Name:  Lili Chin

Dog's Name:  Boogie

Breed:  

Boston Terrier

Age:  

Boogie is 12 years old

Where did you get your dog from:  

Boston Buddies Rescue

Location:  

Los Angeles, CA

Social Media Links: 

www.instagram.com/lilita_yaya

www.facebook.com/doggiedrawings 

Story

Back in 2007, I was fostering boston terriers for Boston Buddies rescue.  Two of my fosters were seniors with serious medical issues and they passed away within months. Another foster was adopted within weeks. When I had to let these dogs go so soon (and it was hard!), I realized that I was ready to have my own forever friend. So I adopted Boogie and he has now been with me for 9 years. 

I love Boogie so much. He is such a huge part of my life - as family, friend, teacher, muse, art model - that I can't simply sum up how much he means to me. Boogie is my first adopted dog, and I didn't know that having a dog could bring so much emotional drama, and also become a life-changing part of my work as an artist. In the first few months of living with Boogie, he was adorable. He was like the perfect dog. And then one day, he bit a person and I almost got kicked out of my home and asked to get rid of him.This traumatic event initiated me an ongoing education about dog behavior, and dog training methods to help Boogie cope with things that make him bite. I learned that there is so much misinformation out there about dogs. There is so much bullshit on TV and the internet about aggressive/reactive/sensitive dogs, as there is a lack of education on dog body language (what is my dog feeling/communicating?) and how to change our dogs' behaviors humanely, without resorting to aversive methods (like dominance, collar corrections, alpha rolls, etc)   

I truly feel that living and learning with Boogie - with all the ups and downs that we have been through - has opened my eyes and made me a kinder and more patient human being. He is the most patient and loyal friend I have ever had. Boogie may not be a perfect dog, but he is perfect for me.

There are people who say that rescue dogs are "damaged"  - who knows what happened to them before they ended up at a shelter or rescue? - and so there are people who would rather buy a puppy from a store than adopt a used or abused dog. Heck, many of us humans have also grown up with traumatic experiences and yet we have thrived and are able to accomplish amazing things in spite of our pasts. I feel the same way about rescue dogs and what they offer us. Would I adopt another rescue dog knowing that he or she has issues? Yes.  

This is Boogie and my story. What's yours?  

Share your story at info.houndandfriends@gmail.com