Engaging stories of successful rescue dog adoptions

Today, in this post, I have the privilege of showcasing some very special people and their rescue dogs.

I reached out to the members of the MadameStitch crochet community and asked if anyone would like to share their stories and a few photos. I wasn’t sure if I would get any responses. I didn’t wonder for long. The responses poured in right away.

Adopting a rescue dog (or adding any dog to your family) is a commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Many times, the dog’s history can be complicated, stressful or simply unknown. And, because of that history, it becomes doubly important that the commitment made to that rescue dog be total and unconditional.

Not all of us are cut out to foster or adopt a rescue dog. But, if you are, the rewards for both you and the dog are priceless.

Below, you’ll read about how these rescue dogs have done as much for new owners as the adoptive parents have provided for the rescue dogs. The stories are inspiring and the pictures will make you say, “Awwwww”!

In their own words, 16 people have shared their experience with you. Enjoy!

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Here are the stories of some pretty special rescue dogs.

Pepsi and Morticia

Having Morticia has been such a blessing. We wanted to give a good home to a pet who needed it. She had been abused and was left tied to the door of the shelter on a weekend. I adopted (he says rescued) my youngest son from an abusive home and he expressed that he wanted to rescue a pet also. She turned out to be the best pet we ever had until she became ill and passed away on April 1, 2022.

Morticia was adopted from the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan

Rocky with B and Shadow

We always supported rescue shelters, so we never thought to get a dog from a breeder. So many puppies are unwanted. B was in a puppy mill and was labeled Momma B, when we found her. Shadow was my second rescue as a puppy 8 weeks old. She’s a Weinerdor and her mom was abandoned. Adopted from Animals Humane Society. Shadow shelter

They’ve been with B for almost 5 years and Shadow 3 years.

Barbara and Gypsy Rose

I rescued her myself from a highway. She was in traffic and nearly hit. She was scared and was dodging cars trying to cross the street. My granddaughter and I followed her in my car. We were able to corner her and finally coaxed her to let us get her. It was a cold wet day in April 2014. We took her home. Fed her, gave her a bath and started trying to find out where she had come from. We advertised for over a month and no one could claim her. Several people wanted her, but I kept her. I named her Gypsy as she was roaming around. Turns out she is a Shetland sheepdog. I sometimes wonder who rescued who.

They’ve been together for 8 years.

Gina and Archie

Archie is our latest rescue, because we had such a good experience prior and didn’t want to see him homeless we decided to adopt. Plus he’s stinking adorable! My dog was listed on Craig’s list, he was headed to the shelter if he wasn’t adopted that day.

They’ve been together 29 months

Amy and Basil

He was so intelligent and loving. He always was there to greet you when you came home! I had Basil for 13 years. He passed away this past September from IBD. He was adopted from an animal shelter when he was just a puppy. He was an early Christmas present from my husband. Adopted from the Wisconsin Humane Society

Amy and Cayenne

I wanted to give love to a dog that someone didn’t want. Wanted to give one a second chance. I was looking to fill the hole in my heart about 6 months after I lost one of my dogs. I saw her and we clicked immediately. Cayenne is 6, got her when she was 9 months old. She was adopted from the Will County Humane Society

Karen and Mongo

We feel that an animal rescue facility should be the first and only place to look for a pet. They are in desperate need to be adopted and loved. Some have been there all their lives, some have had homes and for some horrid reason, have been given up. They are wonderful pets who deserve a second chance no matter how old they may be. Mongo is our second “rescue” dog, who is so loving, and makes us laugh every day. We don’t know what we’d do without him!

Last Hope Animal Rescue – he was the only one who was interested in playing with hubby

Kim and Mouse

Pure-bred dogs are more prone to genetic maladies & illness. Foster dogs are often well-cared for, but their home communities are remote & they are quickly overrun with animals. Mouse was a foster fail from Paws for Love! We fell in love with his photo & he’s the best dog we’ve ever had.

They’ve been together 2 years.

Robin and Quincy

My future veterinarian daughter (now 21) & I volunteered at the local animal shelter when she was in high school & I fell in love with every “doodle” I met & wanted to bring each one home. lol When it was time to get a dog we looked online for a poodle mix (we have allergies), couldn’t find any close by (since it was the week after Christmas), and the ONLY rescue that would allow adoptions out of the area was 2.5 hrs away, in the next state! We put an application in, got approved and looked again for any new dogs. I saw Quincy…I fell in love….we went the next day & brought him home!! We had him from 2015 (He was 4) until he passed away in 2021. He was the BEST dog ever! He could learn a trick in one day!

I saw him on Last Chance Ranch’s website.

Bobbie with Leia and Izzy

We love animals and being fosters for our local shelter has been amazing. Sometimes you absolutely fall in love and cannot give them up. Both of our girls needed loving homes and we could not say no. We will always adopt our animals because there are so many out there that need families. Izzy for 11yrs and Leia for 5yrs

We foster for our local humane society. Both girls were foster dogs that we ended up adopting.

Tracey and Scooter

I have always had rescue dogs especially older ones! Wanted them to live out their final years surrounded by love and I felt that it taught my children a valuable lesson as they grew up! A friend who does rescue needed an extra set of hands at a hoarders and a foster home.

They’ve been together 3 years.

Holly and Luna

Our dog is a Samoyed. We had had a Samoyed as a member of our family about 10 years ago. I wanted to help another Sammy.
The puppy mill where our dog was from was raided by the ASPCA and over 100 dogs were brought to various rescue sites in the Midwest. Our sweet puppy gave birth to 8 pups the day following the raid. Nebraska Humane Society

They’ve been together 3 years.

Debbie and Campbell

Too many breeders in it for money and don’t look after dogs. Mummies and puppies in dreadful state. Decided not to buy from breeders but to give a home to give a chance to a dog that might need a second or more chance at happiness. Adopted from Dogs Trust UK

They’ve been together for almost 10 years.

Susan and Buddy

There are so many animals out there looking for a loving furever home. We just can’t justify getting a dog from a breeder. Plus with an older dog you can bypass the potty training for the most part. Our Last Hope Animal Rescue

They’ve been together 6+ years

Elizabeth and Boomer Padfoot

I prefer to rescue my dogs. They need just as much love as the ones from breeders, but no one wants to take the time to help them. I found him at a local shelter, where he had been surrendered due to heartworms and abuse. I had looked at some other dogs before him, but they weren’t right for me. He was already completely trained and just wanted to play with the squeaky toys that were in the family room. I knew he was the dog for me. http://carrollcountyga.com

They’ve been together 4 years.

Cheryl and Rambo

We went to Safehaven to look at another dog. Got there and he’d been adopted. Decided we’d look anyway and this guy was so sad. He just laid in the back corner watching people walk by. I couldn’t resist. He is a great dog. He was three when we adopted him and we have had him almost eight years now. He is a lot more grey now of course.  🙂

Nearly all of our pets are adopted and even several of our farm animals are. That is just they way I was brought up. There are always animals that need homes – you don’t have to buy them. Give these poor guys a chance.

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Thank you for reading about these special dogs and their special adoptive parents.

Be sure to visit the rest of the Rescue Dog blog hop before it ends on June 20th.