Search Results for:

How do dogs feel when abandoned? If this bulldog’s cries are anything to go by, then it’s pretty much how you would feel if your family abandoned you. Fortunately, there is a happy ending. Read below to learn Ritter’s story.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County in Indiana is no stranger to abandoned animals, and taking them to a shelter is a much better option than throwing them out on the streets. So when this Indiana family lost their home and couldn’t keep their dog anymore, they took him to the Humane Society. Meet Ritter, a 4-year-old American Bulldog.

Unfortunately, Ritter’s home was significantly damaged and his family couldn’t take care of him anymore. While at the shelter, the Humane Society was able to capture this image of a gloom-looking Ritter, obviously sad and confused at the fact that he was separated from his family. What must be going through his head? If you ever wondered if dogs remember being abandoned, then one quick look at this photo should answer your question.

While Ritter had to endure some sad days, his story has a happy ending. The Humane Society’s photo went viral and Ritter was even able to make appearances at morning shows to spread his story around. Luckily, it worked out for him as a wonderful family decided to adopt him and take care of him. Now, Ritter is once again feeling the love and security that comes with being a part of his family.

Unfortunately, Ritter is not the only dog that had to be surrendered at the shelter – his buddy Corky was also taken to the shelter. Just like Ritter and Corky, there are many animals who have spent months at the shelter, waiting for a family to adopt them. If you love animals and want them to find their forever home, then share Ritter’s story and tell your friends to check out your local animal shelters. Help these beautiful creatures find their forever home!

Watch Ritter’s heartwarming story below and share it with your loved ones!

Imagine if someone purposefully stopped you from eating until you almost died. That’s how Angel’s story begins – but thankfully, not how it ends. Read her story of tragedy and rescue below.

Angel’s owner starved her on purpose – almost to the point of death. Her organs had started to shut down and she was weak, afraid, and in pain. You could tell how much pain she was in just by looking at her face. Fortunately, she was rescued just in time. Read her full story of pain and rescue below.

Angel had been unloved and mistreated for a long time. Not only was her body shutting down, but so was her spirit. Luckily, some loving people were able to rescue her and change her fate.

Normally, when dogs reach Angel’s level of starvation, it’s hard to say if they will make it or not. In other words, it was touch and go for Angel. She was very fortunate that the people who rescued her knew just what to do. They gave her IV nutrition, small amounts of food throughout the day, antibiotics, and medicine for her pain.

As the days went by, Angel got better and better. “We lent her our strength, until one day she found her own,” said Rescue From The Hart, the group responsible for saving her. Angel’s recovery went so well that she was even able to stand up all on her own!

As they continued to give Angel the diet and medical care she needed, she gained weight and was no longer weak. Her health improved and so did her spirits. While making friends at her foster home, Angel also got some wonderful news: she had found her forever home!

We understand that it’s easier to not know some of these horror stories. Animal abuse is always tragic and heartbreaking. However, they can also end on an uplifting note with a happy ending just like Angel’s story. But the only way that can happen is if people are aware of them and support rescue groups like Rescue From The Hart and others like them. These organizations depend on donations to help them rescue and take care of animals like Angel. While we understand that not everyone can donate, you can definitely share stories like this to inspire others to support animal rescue organizations.

Please, share Angel’s story and other abuse survival stories so that these rescue groups can continue to make a difference and help animals like Angel get their happy ending.

Watch Angel’s amazing story below and make sure to share it with friends and family.

What would you do if your dog was considered one of the most ugly dogs around? Learn about Bjarni and his journey from abandonment to rescue.

Bjarni was a dog like any other – except that he had a disfigured face. He was rescued from a difficult home and was ignored by those who passed him by. However, there were those who found his story heartbreaking and wanted to support him. The following is the story of Bjarni’s journey from being unloved to finding his forever home.

Bjarni was likely disfigured as a result of an attack by another animal. His face was full of bite scars and he only had half a nose. As a result, he struggled to eat and breathe properly. After being rescued, he was taken back to his original owners but they refused to take him back. Unfortunately, this meant that Bjarni could possibly be euthanized.

There are not many organizations in Houston, Texas, that will take sick and injured pets to care for them before they’re transferred to a shelter. Fortunately, Bjarni was taken to St. Francis’ Angels, one of the few places in the area that serves as an emergency foster-home organization. In fact, shortly before Bjarni’s arrival, founder Anne Graber rescued a pit bull with hydrocephalus and other medical issues.

Bjarni underwent surgery and his face is now completely realigned. Best of all, he can breathe and eat without problems! Even though he went through some tough experiences, Bjarni remains one of the friendliest dogs around. “[Bjarni is] vivacious and engaging. He is totally unaware of his limitations and disfigurement,” Anne told the Huffington Post.

While he may not have received the love and care needed from his original owners, this tragic story has a happy ending. In addition to getting the surgery he needed, Bjarni has also found his forever home! His new family accepts and loves him as he is and gave him a new name – Hogan. From all of us at I Love Pets, we wish you the best in your new home, Hogan!

Featured Image: St. Francis’ Angels Facebook

Learn about Aladdin,  the famous therapy dog who survived abused and helped those who needed him the most.

This month, the world lost one of its most special souls. On March 8, 2022, Aladdin (nicknamed “Laddy” by friends) passed away. Laddy was a beloved therapy dog who helped those in need. In 2017, he was awarded the American Humane Hero Dog award and was State Farm’s “Kindness is Powerful” ambassador.

Laddy overcame a life of neglect and abuse to be a hero and a friend to those who knew him. Moreover, he is a source of inspiration to those who knew him in person and even those who followed him online(34,000 Aladdin Nation followers).

Overcoming Tragic Beginnings

In 2013, a rescue group called Lilo’s Promise saved Laddy from a state of neglect and abuse. He was emaciated and had poorly-healed broken legs, a fractured tail, and various other medical issues. However, even in those tragic circumstances, Laddy was nothing but trusting and loving.

Laddy’s foster mom, Michele Schaffer-Stevens, explained the situation in which they found him in Laddy’s American Hero Dog Awards profile. “Aladdin was found severely abused and emaciated, missing 12 teeth and with open wounds,” wrote Michele. “From the moment I met him, his little tail never stopped wagging, despite his horrific condition.”

In fact, Laddy’s condition was so severe that Michele had fears that he might not be able to recover. However, with a healthy dose of food, great veterinary care, and a whole lot of love, Laddy started to improve.

From Foster Parent to Adoption

As Laddy became healthier, he was taken to adoption events so that a loving family could adopt him. However, Michele realized that Laddy fit so perfectly with her family that she decided to officially adopt him.

Moreover, within a year of his recovery, Laddy was certified as a therapy dog and visited hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. “He was the most amazing therapy dog I’ve ever seen,” wrote Michele in a Facebook tribute. “He knew exactly what someone needed before I did. He was famous for approaching strangers at the airport and other public places… whimpering until I let him go see them and sure enough each person had been through a recent tragedy.”

Helping Others In Need

While he loved all humans, Laddy had a special love for children. As a Ronald McDonald House ambassador, he taught school children about tolerance and compassion. He was also the face of Lilo’s Promise Animal Rescue and dispelled many myths regarding Pit Bulls.

From serving as a “spokespup” for the Show Your Soft Side campaign against animal abuse to showing people that real men and women don’t hurt animals, Laddy made a big difference in many people’s (and dogs’) lives.

In his free time, Laddy loved spending some quality time with his family and swimming at the Jersey Shore. After his rescue, Laddy enjoyed 10 amazing years with Michele and their family. Michele shared the following post on Facebook after Laddy’s passing:

If you want to honor Laddy’s memory, Michele says you can do one of the following:

• Donate to Show Your Soft Side or the Ronnie Stanley Foundation
• Sponsor a Lilo’s Promise dog
• Buying one of Laddy’s books to donate to your “local library, school library, or someone who needs a little love.”

Featured Image via Facebook/Aladdin Nation

Find out how they’re sensing Russian attacks with the help of Rambo and other so-called “trench puppies.”

What do you imagine when you think of a war dog? Are they big, large, and strong? What about a small, cuddly puppy? If that’s not what you expected, then get ready to be surprised. Ukrainians are adding some of the best dogs to their team – and they’re cute to boot.

In their war effort, Ukraine has publicly introduced two tiny puppies as the new members of their side. While these cute pups may not be able to walk too far or put up a fight, they help in other ways. In fact, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says that these puppies can sense Russian attacks and warn their Ukrainian friends.

First War Puppy

According to reports, the Kyiv police added Bayraktar, a German Shepherd puppy, to their team. The origin of the name is special, as it refers to the Turkish drone that Ukrainians have successfully used against Russian troops.

“A puppy named Bayraktar is now working at the Kyiv Region Police Dog Training Center,” explained the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Twitter. “He senses the approach of the enemy and starts to bark, warning of the danger of the explosions.”

Born only a few months before the war in the Police Canine Center, Bayraktar helps Ukrainians by predicting enemy attacks. Moreover, soldiers like to joke that Bayraktar played a big role in every small victory they’ve had in the war.

However, Bayraktar is not the only secret weapon that Ukrainians are holding. In addition to ordering more Bayraktar drones to protect them, they’ve also adopted another war puppy: Rambo.

Second But Not Last

While Bayraktar has captured the hearts of many Ukrainians, he’s not the only one lending a helping paw. During the war, a Ukrainian soldier found an abandoned puppy who was freezing to death. As a result, the soldier adopted him and named him Rambo. 

Now, he serves as a trustworthy defender of his Ukrainian friends. “We felt sorry for him,” a soldier says. “It was freezing outside. We took him into our post, and he stayed with us.”

While Rambo still has a lot of growing up to do, he already has more courage than even adult dogs. He can hear people approaching and warns his soldier friends if he senses any danger. In addition, he serves as a therapy dog for those who are facing intense pressure and stress during the war.

Bayraktar and Rambo are teaching everyone that you don’t have to be large or strong to protect others. With enough determination, anyone can make a difference – even if you’re a tiny and lovable puppy. By loving and trusting them, the Ukrainian soldiers have helped these two pups become the symbol of courage amid the Russian invasion.

H/T: indiatimes.com

Featured Image: YouTube

A young woman sacrificed her life to help dogs in need. Learn the story of Anastasiia Yalanskaya, a Ukrainian killed in a dog shelter mission.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, many people told 26-year old Anastasiia Yalanskaya that she needed to evacuate. However, she decided not to because she knew people and animals needed help. Anastasiia had a heart of gold and wanted to help as many as she could – especially dogs in need.

However, her life was tragically taken by Russian troops. As Anastasiia was bringing donations to an animal shelter, she was shot and killed by the gunfire from the troops. She gave her life to help people and dogs who needed her help and animal lovers are honoring her work worldwide.

An Unexpected Tragedy

Anastasiia offered to help those in need since the beginning of the war, aiding those in Kyiv as much as she could. For example, she helped a kindergarten group of 40 children who didn’t have food or diapers. She also helped support a military hospital. Unfortunately, her last selfless mission was taking food to dog shelters in Bucha.

Anastasiia’s husband, Yevhen Yalanskyi, was worried about her safety during her volunteer work. “I asked her to be extra cautious,” he said. “That nowadays, a mistake costs extremely much. But she was helping everyone around. I asked her to think of evacuation but she did not listen.”

Anastasiia, along with two other volunteers, were killed during their mission to take food to shelter dogs. Just before her death, she posted a video showing herself in a car full of the dog food they were taking. While they successfully delivered the food to the dogs in need, she never made it home.

Tragically, her car was found later and it was covered in bullet holes; all three volunteers were killed. One of the fathers of the volunteers found the car and Anastasiia had her ID on her. Even though nobody knows why they were targeted, the bullet holes indicate that someone shot at them with a heavy weapon at close range.

Anastasiia’s Legacy

The tragic number of deaths in Ukraine continue to increase as Russia pushes on with their invasion. While we have no way of knowing the exact number, it’s suspected that at least 2,000 civilians have been killed during the war. 

As expected, Anastasiia’s family is heartbroken over her loss. “Not being able to help her last journey is very painful for me,” Yevhen said. “She was one of the best human beings I knew. She was committed to help, to help her friends and relatives and whoever needed help.”

Even though she was surrounded by the horrors of war, Anastasiia remained optimistic. She was a proud Ukrainian who believed her country would make it through. Losing someone like Anastasiia is devastating, but she will be remembered as a hero for the sacrifices she made to help those in need.

“Now I realize even better how important it is to be able to just see the loved ones whenever you want,” Yevhen explained. “We will all be together soon, safe and at peace. I believe in it.”

H/T: globalnews.ca

Featured Image: Facebook

What would you do if you were separated from your children? This mama dog didn’t stop until she found them. Read about how these dogs reunited with mother after a heartbreaking journey.

The Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans received a distressing call about an abandoned mama dog who was in bad shape. They quickly went to her aid and were shocked and anxious at her condition: her puppies were gone.

One of the rescuers called out to her and she immediately ran over, wagging her tail along the way. She needed help finding her puppies and perhaps sensed that these rescuers were there to do just that.

The mama dog led the rescuers to a home just 20 feet away. After further investigation, they found out that the dog belonged to a man who was in jail. Moreover, the man’s roommate had the puppies and claimed he was looking after them – which the rescuers realized was a lie.

The rescuers tried to persuade the roommate to give up the puppies. He declined to give them over, so they pursued legal help and received legal authorization to take them and give them back to their mother.

While some of the puppies looked weary, they were quickly nursed back to health after being reunited with their mother. You can clearly see the mama’s happiness and gratitude now that she’s back together with her babies.

Watch their heartbreaking story with a happy ending below (and share it with a friend)!

When you see actor and former wrestler Dave Bautista, the first thing you notice is his enormous stature. However, if there’s one thing bigger than his size, it’s his love for animals.

When the Humane Society of Tampa Bay shared the story of Sage, a 3-month-old Pit Bull who had a chain embedded in her neck, Bautista went to work. He immediately gathered reward money to find information about Sage’s abuser.

During the search, Bautista couldn’t help but fall in love with Sage, so he adopted her and gave her a new name: Penny Bautista. Now, Penny won’t have to worry about experiencing abuse or neglect anymore.

Puppy in Need

When Sage arrived at the Humane Society, she had a chain embedded deep in her neck that dragged on the ground. To remove it, the vets had to perform surgery, which fortunately turned out well. The only remnant of the abuse is a bald spot where the chain used to be.

Sage was originally found by a stranger on the side of the road. Even though she was in pain, Sage ran up to the stranger without hesitation, showing how friendly and full of love she was.

“She is very sweet and friendly,” wrote the Humane Society of Tampa Bay on Facebook. “Even though she is in immense pain, Sage was wagging her tail on the exam table while our veterinarian and vet techs were examining her. In addition to the chain, we noticed that Sage has skin issues and overgrown nails. We can’t imagine who would do this to her.”

Bautista offered $5,000 as a reward for any information regarding Sage’s abuse. In addition, the Humane Society is offering $1,500; actor Mickey Rourke pitched in $1,000 to help find the person (or people) responsible.

Pairing dogs with a loving home takes work. Help place a companion dog with a veteran in need by getting a US Flag bracelet (learn more here):

Bautista’s Growing Family

After finding out about Sage’s story, it didn’t take long for Bautista to fall for her. After only a few days, he adopted Sage and renamed her Penny, promising to give her a life of love and pampering.

“To me, there’s nothing more innocent and pure than a puppy,” said Bautista. “For someone who can abuse a puppy has got to be the lowest form of human being, pure evil, for someone who can abuse an animal like that. It makes me sick to my stomach.”

Bautista has a history of loving animals – and especially Pit Bulls. In 2019, he adopted two Pit Bulls named Ollie and Maggie. Not only will Penny be in a loving home, but she’ll also be part of a loving family.

Want to help a dog be part of a loving family? Buy a US Flag bracelet and we’ll donate part of the sales to organizations that pair veterans with companion dogs. Find out how to help here:

Watch Penny’s journey here:

Sources:

• H/T: wtsp.com
• Featured Image: Humane Society of Tampa Bay via Facebook

When 17” of rainfall hit Waverly, Tennessee, they experienced historic amounts of flooding that destroyed countless businesses, more than 250 homes, and left at least 20 people dead.

However, amidst this tragedy, there was at least one ray of hope: Cooper, a Great Pyrenees-Labrador mix that rescued a boy with autism from the floodwaters.

Want to help your pet stay warm? Get a warm blanket for your furry friend today. We’ll donate a portion of each purchase to an animal shelter.

Cooper and the Boy

Zen Warren, a local resident, shared the story in the Concerned Citizens of Humphreys County Facebook group. According to Warren, the boy was hanging on to a pole as the floodwaters surrounded him. Cooper noticed him and swam over, helping him hold on.

Later on, even though Cooper had suffered a small scrape, both he and the boy were rescued and safe.

Cooper was taken to Waverly Animal Clinic, where he received the hero treatment he deserved. “We’ve been calling him Big Hero Dog all week long,” said Dr. Jessica Peek, owner of Waverly Animal Clinic. “He’s a living sweetie and we’ve been giving him lots of treats, telling him he’s a hero.”

In the aftermath of the flood, all the kennels at Waverly Animal Clinic were full. According to Dr. Peek, multiple animals and pets were affected by the storm. “You feel a little helpless and don’t know what to do when people are trapped and looking for their pets,” said Peek. “We’ve tried to give pets a safe place to be so owners could deal with other things they have to deal with.”

A Happy Reunion

Caitlyn Rochelle was happily surprised to find her dog at Waverly Animal Clinic after the storm – and especially proud that her dog, Cooper, helped a boy in his time of need. “It made me cry,” said Rochelle. “It was no surprise that he saw someone else in distress and went after him.”

Want to help your pet stay warm? Get a warm blanket for your furry friend today:

Rochelle’s home was one of the many houses affected by the floods and storms. Cooper, who was staying with Rochelle’s father, got swept away by the floodwaters but managed to survive and help someone in need.

Now, Cooper is back with his family, who are more than overjoyed to have him back in their lives. “He’s always been a good dog, a great emotional support animal,” said Rochelle. “When my dad and I get depression, Cooper senses it and sits and lays his head on us.”

Even when he faced danger himself, Cooper selflessly helped someone in peril. That’s one of the many reasons we love dogs.

Show your love for heroes like Cooper by getting a cozy fleece blanket! We’ll donate a portion of each purchase to an animal shelter. Make a difference in these dog’s lives and get yours today:

Watch the story of this heroic dog here:

Sources:

• H/T: News Channel 5
• Featured Image: Zen Warren via Facebook