2/9/2009
Leap of Faith
Her name was Ginger, but she lacked the "ginger" which usually characterizes a two-year-old dog. When she came into rescue at the National Animal Welfare Society (N.A.W.S.) of the U.S. in Mokena, Ill., one of her back legs was missing its paw, and by the look of the stump, it had been lost to some sort of abuse. The overly thin pooch, a Catahoula Leopard dog, was overly protective of her food and became aggressive if another dog approached her bowl. She also was skittish around people.
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2/2/2009
Honey Buns
Ollie lived in a cage outside, and Oreo was an Easter gift whose novelty had worn off. Neither was cherished by its human family, and eventually they were surrendered to Delaware County SPCA.
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1/26/2009
Bully for the Legaults
While Christine Legault watched the inauguration, she couldn't help but think about changes that need to be made in the country. Her thoughts went to her Staffordshire Terrier mix, a bully breed, Nola, and the story of her rescue.
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1/19/2009
Secondhand Rosco
For seven years Rosco had lived with one family. They left him in a kennel most of the day, and because so little attention was paid him, he had a mark around his neck from his collar being too tight. Finally, the people decided they really didn't have time for a pet and dropped him off at Scott County Humane Society in Georgetown, Ky. Rosco would get a second chance.
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1/12/2009
Good Mews for Yogi
"When Yogi was only eight months old, he was found living in a rental house with fifteen cats and five dogs, all of them unaltered," says Colleen Angstadt of Egg Harbor Township, N.J. "When the landlord found out, he told the tenant either the animals go or you go." The tenant surrendered the pets to an animal control facility. Meadow's Spirit Cat Rescue "scooped up" Yogi and posted him on Petfinder.com.
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1/5/2009
Bona Fide Family Member
Lucy was apparently a puppy mill victim. Evidence showed that, for about 10 years, she had delivered litter after litter, while receiving only minimal care and attention. By the time someone dumped her beside a road and she ended up at Braxton County Animal Shelter in Sutton, W.V., she weighed only 3-1/2 pounds and her teeth were all rotten and had to be removed. Lucy needed a second chance.
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12/29/2008
A Golden Tale
Some months ago, Laurie Fellers of Orland Park, Ill., felt her life spiraling downward. Her mother had passed away after a four-and-a-half-year battle with Alzheimer's, during which Laurie had cared for her. Laurie's dog, Luke, had been by her side during the ordeal, making a bad situation more bearable. But then he developed severe spinal disease and could no longer walk. Laurie had to make the difficult decision to euthanize him to spare him further pain.
She was devastated by her loss and sank into a deep depression. She vowed she would never go through such pain again.
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12/22/2008
Down but Not Out
Tough economic times affect pets, too. Kimmie, a Min Pin, became homeless when her family lost its home. Internet Miniature Pinscher Service, a rescue based in Stillwater, Minn., came to her rescue and posted her story and photo on Petfinder. The poor little dog was down to 4.7 pounds, and her hip bones protruded pitifully.
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12/15/2008
A Wrigley Little Pup
Though Pat Morgan promised her daughter, Savannah, she could adopt a dog when she turned ten, Pat cautioned that they might not find the ideal dog by her actual birthday because it had to meet several criteria. First, it had to be a rescue dog. Second, it had to be a dog that didn't shed too much because Pat has severe allergies. She also wanted a fairly young dog so it could grow up with Savannah.
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12/9/2008
Poster Child for Love and Trust
Kristen Nelson believes that a house is not a home without a dog. "They know how you are feeling, and who cannot feel loved when they come running to greet you at the door?" the Franklin, Tenn., woman says. "You cannot help but smile no matter how horrible your day has been."
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