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After Being Abandoned Twice, Terminally Ill Rescue Dog Is Living His Best Life

Parker may only have a few months to live, but his friends, family, and even complete strangers are making sure those few months are the best he’s ever had. Helping Hand For Animals and S&B Kountry Kennel in Iowa are working together to bring this rescue dog the love and happiness he desperately deserves. His life hasn’t always been easy, but he’s happier than ever as he works his way through a bucket list made especially for him. https://www.facebook.com/1642315379362493/photos/a.1642334329360598/2155187604741932/?type=3&theater At … Read more

This Girl Brought Home A $5 Foot Long, It Wasn’t What Mom Was Expecting

There’s always a measure of creativity that goes into caring for a dog, and 21-year-old Kelsey Johnstone needed to call on that creativity sooner than expected. Kelsey’s mom wasn’t exactly on board with the idea of adopting another dog. The family already had a beloved dog named Oliver, but Kelsey was determined to get Oliver a new furry sibling. All she needed was mom’s permission. When a sign outside an animal shelter gave her the perfect idea, she couldn’t pass … Read more

Atlanta Organization Helps Strays While Keeping Kids Out Of Gangs

The streets of Atlanta, GA are home to countless stray animals. There are dogs scrounging for food in dumpsters, feral cats struggling to survive, and former pets newly abandoned and afraid. At the same time, there’s a different kind of problem lurking in the shadows. Local gangs take over neighborhoods, and they’re always looking to recruit. Kids are pressured to take sides, teens are forced to join in, and innocent youth are beaten when they try to resist. Disabled veteran … Read more

Blind Senior Dog Is More Than Ready To Find His Forever Family

No dog deserves to spend their days in a shelter, but life in a kennel is harder on some than others. Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Conroe, TX goes above and beyond to make sure every rescue in their care is as happy as possible, but there’s no substitute to finding a forever family and leaving the shelter for good. A senior dog named Max is one of the many dogs currently up for adoption at MCAS. At eight years … Read more

How Much Do Rescue Dogs Remember From Their Pasts?

You know your rescue dog had a life before you walked into the shelter, but how much of that time do they actually remember? Would your dog recognize their old owners or where they used to live? Can they recall specific experiences whether they were good or bad? For some rescues, forgetting a painful past might be a good thing, but is that even possible? Here’s a closer look at how your dog’s memory works and what scientists think they … Read more

Petco Foundation President Susanne Kogut Talks About How Fosters Save Lives

This July, the Petco Foundation is inspiring animal lovers to learn more about fostering rescue animals with their “Be a Lifesaver” initiative. iHeartdogs had the privilege of interviewing Petco Foundation president, Susanne Kogut, about how fostering is an important piece of the animal welfare puzzle. With a house full of rescue dogs and an influential career leading animal welfare organizations, Susanne is spreading the word about how everyone has a chance to “Be a Lifesaver.” We asked her a few … Read more

UPDATE: Hero Police K9/ Netflix Star Succumbs To “Sudden, Untreatable Illness”

Updated 5/16/22 Just two months after a movie based on her life premiered on Netflix, Ruby the hero police dog has passed away. According to a Facebook post from the Rhode Island State Police, K-9 Ruby was put to sleep following a “sudden, acute, and untreatable illness.” The story of the remarkable pooch and her handler Cpl. Daniel O’Neil inspired the Netflix film, Rescued By Ruby. Before joining the force, Ruby, an Australian Shepherd and Border Collie mix, was an … Read more

10 Things To Know About Adopting A Fearful Rescue Dog

Walk through any animal shelter in the country, and there will always be excited dogs begging for your attention. They hop and bark and paw at the gate hoping to catch the eye of the exact right person. But among all that excitement, there’s also a different type of rescue dog. They’re the dogs that would rather curl up and borrow in their beds than face well-intentioned strangers. For one reason or another, they’re afraid of the world. Fearful rescue … Read more

Stray Dog With No Tongue Impresses Rescuers With Her Ability To Survive

Liz Oeffner was driving through Detroit’s West Side when she noticed a filthy dog limping along the road at a busy intersection. Concerned for her safety, she scooped up the gentle pooch and brought her home. As the hungry stray ate, Oeffner noticed there was something strange about her mouth. “She was eating weird,” Oeffner wrote on Facebook. “I assumed she didn’t have any teeth. Then she yawned. She didn’t have a tongue.” Oeffner brought the dog to her veterinarian … Read more

Rescue Dog With Rare Tumor To Undergo Groundbreaking Surgery

“Lucky” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you look at Bliss. The 2-year-old pooch has an extremely rare skull tumor, and was abandoned at a Texas kill shelter by her family. Alone, frightened and confused, Bliss had no idea her luck was about to change!   Friends of Emma Medical Rescue, a major medical/critical care home located in Fort Worth, learned of Bliss’ plight and agreed to take her in. Thinking her condition was terminal, they prepared … Read more

How To Help Your Rescue Dog Feel Safe On Walks

Heading out on walks is one of the first things families look forward to after bringing home their newest four-legged friend. It’s supposed to be a time-honored tradition between man and man’s best friend where both ends of the leash have a grand time, but it unfortunately doesn’t always start out that way. Instead of being the dog’s favorite part of the day, the prospect of leaving the house for a trip around the block can be terrifying. They run … Read more

Death Row Dog Hugs His Rescuer On His Way To Freedom

Schenley and Joe Kirk run the 501(c)(3) organization, HOUND Rescue & Sanctuary from their home in Findlay, Ohio. The dogs they welcome have been abandoned, surrendered by their owners, or pulled from high-risk shelters where they faced euthanasia. A beautiful 2-year-old Beagle named Gregory fell into the final category.   Although first assessed as a healthy stray, he was added to the euthanasia list when shelter staff discovered he was heartworm positive. If no one came forward to rescue him by … Read more

8 Ways To Make Your Rescue Dog As Comfortable As Ever

The word “comfort” conjures images of a big, cozy bed on a late Sunday morning. Feeling relaxed in your environment, however, is about more than fluffy pillows and a fleece blanket. It’s the feeling of both safety and confidence. It’s knowing that wherever you are and whomever you’re with, you’re secure, satisfied, and feeling happily at home. Rescue dogs—regardless of their background—deserve homes where their comfort is a priority. After life in a shelter and overcoming whatever past experience earned … Read more

How To Help Your Rescue Dog Gain Weight

“Skin and bones” are words to describe a specific population of rescue dog. They’re the ones found staggering near death on the side of the street or rummaging through the dumpster looking for scraps of anything remotely edible. They’ve known what true hunger feels like, and recovering from near starvation isn’t an easy process. Helping a rescue dog gain weight isn’t tossing them a few McDonald’s burgers and letting them go to town. It isn’t even leaving a limitless supply … Read more

10 Misconceptions About Animal Shelters

Animal shelters across the country do their best to care for the millions of pets that come through their doors every year, but prevailing misconceptions are interfering with their life-saving efforts. Shelters are part of every community, but not everyone understands exactly what they do and what they’re all about. These issues of confusion are hurting adoptable animals, and it’s time to set the record straight. Here are a few myths about animal shelters that simply aren’t true. 1. Shelters … Read more

Famous Former Bait Dog Inspires New Grooming Salon

Six months ago Abigail the Pit Bull was awarded one of the highest honors a dog can recieve. She was named American Humane’s 2017 Emerging Hero Dog for her work to end dog fighting. As a former bait dog, Abigail knows first-paw just how brutal this practice is. Now, her mission of peace has inspired a new dog grooming salon set to open in Fort Myers, Florida. The business will be located at One Fort Myers, a new luxury high rise … Read more

Teenaged Olympian Helps South Korean Rescue Dog Find New Home

When they weren’t on the slopes or at the rink, U.S. Olympic athletes spent their time in South Korea somewhere a lot less dazzling. Long before it was the stage for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, South Korea was the site of thousands of dog meat farms. Humane Society International estimates there are around 17,000 farms where dogs are crammed into filthy cages while they await their devastating fate. One of these farms is less than an hour away from … Read more

Animal Shelter Celebrates Dog’s Recovery With Contest To Guess Her Breed

After wandering on her own for an estimated three months, a rescue dog named Kelly is finally recovering from her ordeal. She was found starving and extremely weak in the Bonneville Salt Flats west of Salt Lake City back in January. It’s a miracle she survived the barren landscape for as long as she did, and rescuers from the Utah Animal Adoption Center didn’t hesitate to take her in. https://www.facebook.com/theuaac/photos/pcb.1658983697473341/1658982590806785/?type=3&theater When she was finally rescued and brought into the shelter’s … Read more

Is It Okay To Change My Rescue Dog’s Name?

Fluffy, Blackie, Fido, Pooty—not every dog name is a winner. When you adopt a new dog into your home, they most likely already have a name given to them either by previous owners or the shelter. You’ve agreed to do what’s best for your new pup for the rest of their life, but does that mean keeping a name you don’t like? Many people worry that changing a dog’s name will confuse them or cause emotional distress. The situation will … Read more

How To Help Your Rescue Dog Gain Confidence

From being abandoned by people they thought they could trust to surviving abuse and neglect, adopters can’t always relate to the trauma and obstacles their rescue dogs endure. Some dogs face each new challenge and path in life with optimism and courage, but others learn through past experiences to be shy and fearful. Even after making it out of the shelter and being adopted by a loving family, a lack of confidence can interfere with a rescue dog’s ability to … Read more

Longest Shelter Resident Wants Nothing More Than A New Home

Shelter staff and volunteers at Broome County Dog Shelter in Binghamton, New York see hundreds of dogs to new homes every year. They love each four-legged resident that comes through the door, but there’s one pooch that stands out. Mallory arrived at the shelter in May 2017 after being found wandering through a local trailer park. She had no apparent owners, but rescuers saw something special with her sweet personality. https://www.facebook.com/jasongarnar2016/videos/10155520030177672/ Mallory is mostly blind, but a degenerative retina disease … Read more

Devastated Rescue Dog Finds Comfort With Stuffed Toys After Losing Her Puppies

When a compassionate person found a dog limping down a street outside Atlanta, they knew she needed immediate attention. The white Pit Bull mix, later named Kiah, was obviously pregnant, and it looked like she hadn’t had a good meal in several weeks. Veterinary staff later discovered the dog’s teeth were filed down, and her current pregnancy was far from her first. They also found an old gunshot wound that painted a bleak picture of what the dog’s life used … Read more

Neglected Pit Mix Finally Gets Justice When The Right Woman Takes Him Home

When Kelly Benzel saw a picture of a pure white pit bull mix on Facebook, she knew the dog deserved a loving home. Rocco’s temporary owners were trying to find him a new place to live after being passed between families almost his entire life. After thinking it over and staring at the sweet face in the photograph, Benzel reached out through Facebook and brought the dog home in time for Christmas. She and her family were looking forward to … Read more

Lost Dog Found Making Himself At Home In A Stranger’s House

A family in Michigan came home Christmas evening to find their door open and a surprise guest lounging on their couch. They’re not exactly sure how it happened, but the home invader wasn’t the kind worth calling the cops over. It was River, a runaway dog looking for somewhere to get warm. A week ago, River disappeared from his new family’s home. Jean Strobel, River’s owner, did everything she could to bring her pup back. She organized her entire community … Read more

Hat-Wearing Rescue Dog Who Beat Cancer Celebrates With A Holiday Surprise

Best Friends Animal Society is a national leader when it comes to animal welfare. They’re the largest no-kill animal shelter in the country, and they’re working hard to lower the number of animals killed in shelters each year. It’s a long process, but 2017 was another year closer to a better future for America’s companion animals. One of the pets they saved this year is Skully. Diagnosed with cancer, sweet Skully wouldn’t have had a chance in most shelters. But … Read more

FINAL UPDATE: Sweet Senior Dog Finds A Loving Home To Spend His Last Holiday Season

Richmond Animal League in Virginia is hoping to find a special senior dog a home for what might be his last holiday season. Griswold is eight years old and was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. Chemotherapy is usually the recommended treatment for this common canine cancer, but a long-term solution doesn’t seem likely due to the severity of Griswold’s condition. The ailing Beagle also suffers from chronic dry eye and is recovering from a skin condition. Despite his medical condition, Griswold is … Read more

Emaciated “Grumpy Face” Dog Recovers With Healthy Food Provided By iHeartDogs Customers

Every purchase from the iHeartDogs store provides supports programs like GreaterGood’s RescueBank, providing healthy meals to rescues and shelters across the country. The following is a success story made possible from your support! – Sir Gideon was not always the distinguished, burly pooch he is today. He was found chained to an abandoned porch, weighing in at a death-defying 14 pounds. The photo below shows the emaciated Pit Bull mix a week after his rescue. At that point, he had … Read more

6 Signs You’re Ready To Adopt Your First Rescue Dog

Raising a rescue dog is a rewarding experience, but it’s also a big commitment. Before you start adopting every rescue you see, sit back and think about what it really means to bring a dog into your life. It’s not like buying a new pair of shoes or even getting a new car. Adopting a rescue will change the dog’s life, and it’ll also change yours. Instead of rushing into it, make sure you can relate to these six statements … Read more

Boy Who Lost Both His Legs Finds A Kindred Spirit In A Dog Who Lost All 4

Owen Mahan has been through more in his 10 years than most of us could endure in a lifetime. At the age of 2 he fell into a bath of scalding hot water and suffered burns over 98% of his body. He has undergone countless surgeries since, including the amputation of both legs earlier this year. This past weekend, Owen flew from Indiana to Arizona to meet one of his online heroes. “It made me really happy,” Owen told ABC … Read more

Doctor “Prescribes” Dog To Obese Man & It Saves His Life

In 2010, Sales Manager Eric O’Grey’s health was in serious danger. He was just 51, but years of carrying nearly 200 extra pounds of weight had taken its toll. O’Grey had Type II Diabetes, high cholesterol, unregulated blood pressure, and was taking 15 different medications each day. He sought the advice of a naturopathic doctor and was shocked by her unconventional prescription. She told him to get a dog. “She knew my underlying problem wasn’t medical, it was being reclusive,” … Read more

Puppy Mill Survivor Who Nearly Died Is Thriving & Taking A Stand Against Animal Abuse

When a Boston Terrier puppy was rescued from an Amish puppy mill in July 2016, there was little hope he’d survive. At only a few weeks old, the pup had a severe case of mange, and maggots were living in his festering wounds. His muscles were shrunken and useless, and he had deep corneal ulcers that blocked his vision. The general consensus was that the dog wouldn’t make it, but Janine Guido had different plans. As founder of Speranza Animal … Read more