Adopting a dog is a huge commitment, and for most people, it will involve browsing online, visiting local rescues and shelters, and falling in love with one of the animals there.

Some people, however, find themselves becoming dog parents through less conventional means, often entirely by chance. Take April Billak, who found a dog tied up in the backyard when she went to visit her new home and went on to give her a new life filled with the best dog treats and toys.

Billak found 10-year-old Molly tied up alone in the yard when she went to tour her new home – the previous owners left her behind when they moved. In the real estate purchase agreement, they said that they didn’t want to take their pets, including Molly and a cat, and said they’d leave them behind for the new homeowners “if desired”.

“During the house purchasing process, we were worried about what would happen with the dog,” she told People. “So we put it in the purchase agreement to make sure something worse didn’t happen to her.”

Billak knew she needed to keep the dog, and as soon as the offer was accepted she untied her and let her explore again. She said that she “wasn’t trying to hate on” the previous owners, because she wasn’t aware of their situation, but added: “I just wanted to make sure she was safe and going to be OK.”

She also urged people who might find themselves in a similar situation “to do whatever to help the dog,” and said she’d “love” for people to adopt rather than buy dogs more generally – take these dog adoption tips on board if you’d like to explore the idea.

When she first shared Molly’s story on TikTok, the video went viral and has since amassed over 33 million views and four million likes. “Bless you guys,” wrote one comment, while another said, “You have a wonderful heart!”

Since then, Molly and her feline sibling have been happily settling into life with their new family, and Billak has been keeping fans updated on TikTok at @mollysnewlife. In one video, she’s being taken off the leash for the first time, while in another, she’s being comforted while scared of the thunder outside.

Of course, Billak’s situation isn’t very common, but if you’re ever in a similar situation, here’s what to do if you find a lost dog. Meanwhile, here are eight things you need to know before getting a rescue dog

The average length of time a dog spends in a shelter is said to be a few months, though this can vary a lot depending on factors like temperament, age, and breed.

One dog in UK, however, has been making headlines because he’s been at a shelter for three years but has only been visited once. While he’s no doubt getting plenty of the best dog treats from staff and volunteers, they’ve been raising awareness to help him find his forever home.

Flash, a nine-year-old Lurcher, found himself at Dogs Trust Darlington in the north of England in July 2022. Since then, he has become one of the longest residents at the site, which can care for around 100 dogs altogether.

The staff even held an open day for Flash, inviting the public to come and meet him, but nobody turned up, something rehoming center manager Nikki Holroyd described as “heartbreaking”.

"He still had a good day out of his kennel socializing with the staff, so a good day for him but a little unfortunate and sad for us,” she said, via BBC News.

She explained that the staff were confused as to why there’s been no interest in Flash – while some animals in shelters can have more complex needs and requirements, he’s “no trouble” and gets on well with people.

“Put a blanket on the floor, he'll snooze on it, chew his toy, and what he's allowed to chew, and he's just a loveable and fun dog to be around,” she added.

Dogs Trust has thrown Flash a pet’s birthday party to mark his third year there in a bid to cheer him up, but as Holroyd put it: "We obviously try and make it the best time in our care with us, but obviously we want him in a home.”

The charity has posted about Flash on social media to help raise awareness further, too. In a Facebook post, it said: “Flash is an affectionate and playful boy who loves going out on walking adventures as well as curling up on the sofa. The staff at Dogs Trust Darlington adore him and can't believe he's still in our care.”

His adoption page adds: “Flash has a playful personality that will always leave a smile on your face. He would love to find a secure garden to call his own, where he can zoom around with toys or have a snooze in the sun. Flash enjoys a fuss from his carers and is always excited to greet you.”

Read next: 8 things you need to know before getting a rescue dog

Has your dog ever been a blood donor? Just like humans who donate blood, dogs can save lives by donating – it gives other canines a second chance at life.

One pup, who lives at a shelter in Texas, has been called a hero for donating blood to a dangerously anemic puppy who arrived at the shelter the smallest of his litter.

Bronson, a one-and-a-half-year-old terrier and Pit Bull mix, is currently waiting for his forever family at the non-profit rescue shelter Austin Pets Alive!, and took a break from playing with the best dog toys to step in and save the life of his new sheltermate.

Nemo was just one month old when he arrived at the shelter with his mother and siblings, and was “dangerously anemic” – there weren’t enough red blood cells supplying oxygen to his body. Pale dog gums are sometimes a sign of anemia, while it can be caused by even some common everyday items.

The shelter shared footage of Bronson being very well-behaved as the staff draw blood from him, before little Nemo is seen receiving the transfusion. It added alongside the footage, “Thanks to Bronson – and the daily, quick-thinking support of our clinic team – Nemo is doing so much better and is now in foster care with a few of his siblings.”

Nemo is doing well, but is still the smallest of his litter and he has a cloudy eye, which could indicate a vision impairment. Bronson, meanwhile, is still up for adoption after he was found abandoned and tied to a pole in the shelter’s parking lot last month. No microchip was detected, and nobody came forward to claim him.

According to the shelter, Bronson is a “goofy, high-energy adult pup with the heart of a puppy, a love for zoomies, a talent for stealing the spotlight with his giant expressive ears, and a joyful spirit that guarantees endless fun and affection.

“From being left behind to becoming a literal lifesaver, Bronson’s journey is a powerful reminder of how every animal has worth, and every one of them deserves a chance.”

If you’d like to find out more about Bronson, you can take a closer look on the shelter’s website.

Read next: I’ve had my rescue dog for six months, here are six things I’ve learned

Adopting a rescue dog for the first time can be a real learning curve, and it can be difficult to know if you’re getting things right or wrong.

But even the most experienced dog parents can struggle, and every dog is different so there’s no hard and fast guide. The best dog toys for one pup could leave another canine totally uninterested – you just never know.

There are so many things experts want you to know before adopting a rescue dog, but if you’d like to maximize the chances of keeping your rescue dog happy, expert behaviorist Dr Tom Mitchell has teamed up with the experts at dog food brand Harringtons to share his formula for a happy dog.

He says, “There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to happiness. Every dog is unique, and as their owner, you know them best. Think of this formula as your toolkit, ready to be tweaked to suit your dog’s personality and lifestyle.”

So, let’s dive in.

How to make sure a rescue dog is happy

1. Practice calm settling
Dogs need calm, so create a quiet room with their favorite blanket, some chew toys, and gentle background music – try classical. They should be calm and settled for around 60% of the day, ideally.

2. Ensure plenty of sleep
Dogs need a lot of sleep – encourage them to get at least 10 hours a day by rewarding them for good sleep choices and setting up a cozy sleep space for them. Again, calming music can be a great idea, too.

3. Provide balanced nutrition
There’s evidence that your dog’s gut microbiome is involved in the creation of the brain chemicals that cause happiness, so a diet rich in prebiotics is ideal, as long as it’s high in meat and natural ingredients too. Here's how to improve dog gut health for more information.

4. Make time for regular play sessions
Dr Tom recommends 30 minutes of play in six five-minute bursts. Play is shown to improve learning and reduce stress, so why not have some fun with your pup? Try tug of war, hide and seek, interactive puzzles, an obstacle course, or simply teach some new tricks.

5. Give lots of love and affection
At least 20 minutes of quality time petting your dog or having cuddles is important, but the more the better! Keep an eye out for signs that your dog is enjoying the interaction by looking at their body language, and move away every so often – if they’re enjoying it and don’t want you to stop, they’ll let you know.

6. Ensure at least an hour of movement
An hour or two of movement be it through walks, games, or just running around the yard, is needed to help keep dogs happy.

7. Provide enjoyable enrichment
Enrichment helps your dog’s behavior improve and keeps them happy, too. Use puzzle toys and snuffle mats to challenge them – even a new walking route can help keep their mind sharp.

8. Daily social interaction: You don’t need us to tell you that dogs are rather social creatures. Many of them prefer human company, too, so even if your dog is a bit wary or reactive around other canines, they’ll be more than content with human interaction. They want to spend time with you and the other humans in their life.

9. Daily training: Dr Tom recommends four three-minute sessions each day to help keep your pup happy – why not try name training, leash training, or confidence training?

“The best thing about this formula,” Dr Tom explains, “is that it’s completely flexible. Each component can be tailored based on your dog’s individual personality and their likes and dislikes! You know your dog better than anyone, and this gives you the tools to shape a life full of tail wags, calm evenings, and joyful adventures.”

Read next: I’ve had my rescue dog for six months, here are six things I’ve learned

Adopting one dog is both a life-changing and a rewarding decision in equal measure, and adopting two is even more so.

Amazingly, one family who adopted a bonded pair back in 2018 have found out that the dogs are actually sisters through DNA testing – so they’re sure to be enjoying plenty of the best dog treats in celebration.

Julie Shannon and her family adopted Betty and Bean, who were found abandoned in Texas the previous year, in 2018. They were told that the two canines most likely bonded in their animal shelter when they shared a kennel due to overcrowding.

Because their bond was so strong, it was decided that they would be adopted out as a bonded pair. When Shannon and her family saw their photo online, they’d already been in rescue care for a year with little interest, and they finally brought them home in December 2018 after they’d been fostered in Canada. In 2020, they relocated to the UK.

Shannon gave Betty and Bean used one of the best dog DNA tests – a Wisdom Panel kit, and their results showed that they are full sisters.

“I haven't stopped crying!” she said. “I feel shocked because, although in hindsight it makes so much sense! We always just assumed they were best friends and that they had bonded in the shelter because they were likely brought in together or already knew one another. They also look nothing alike!”

She continued, “To know that they are full sisters means everything to us. Betty and Bean are our family and now we know they were a family first! It's so heartwarming to know that even though they didn't have the easiest start in life, they have actually always had each other from the very beginning. Thank goodness the rescue decided to keep them together.”

Sharing footage of the moment she found out that the two canines are sisters on Instagram, Shannon wrote: “The results are shocking and yet now it all makes so much sense. I wonder if they were trying to tell us this whole time? So grateful to know all I can about my special girls and with such ease. We couldn’t recommend the experience more.”

The test results also showed that the dogs both have a lot of toy poodle in them, as well as Chihuahua. This was no surprise – they had thought Bean looked like a Chihuahua – but they expected Betty to be some sort of terrier or schnauzer.

Read next: I tested my dog’s DNA to find out her ancestry, here’s five things I learned

Puppies can be challenging, even for the more experienced dog parents among us. This is why it’s crucial that everyone knows what they’re getting into when they bringing a puppy home – a dog is a huge, lifelong commitment, and puppies need plenty of love, support, and training.

Sadly, not all puppies end up in their forever homes at the start of life. According to new data from the nonprofit Shelter Animals Count, a huge 841,000 puppies under five months old entered shelters and rescues in the US in 2024, comprising 29% of all dogs taken in. This is an increase of 29,000 puppies from the previous year.

The length that dogs stay at shelters before being adopted also increased on average in 2024. Small dog breeds stay an average of 14 days, while for medium-sized dogs it’s 18 and for large breed dogs, it’s 20.

The data highlights the strain being put on already overwhelmed shelters, as well as the need for resources, foster carers, and people to adopt. It also shows the importance of spay and neuter programs that help reduce the number of unplanned litters.

One bit of more positive news is that the number of dogs and cats entering shelters in 2024, regardless of age, has decreased by 1% since 2023. However, any benefit here is offset by the rising numbers of young puppies who need to be cared for.

“The rise in puppy intake is a clear indicator of the ongoing challenges shelters and rescues are facing,” said Tori Fugate, director of communications with Shelter Animals Count. “With nearly 30% of all dogs entering shelters last year being puppies under five months old, organizations need more support than ever – from fosters and adopters to resources that help them keep up with demand.

"Tracking this data helps us understand trends and find solutions to better support animals and the people who care for them.”

So, what can we do to help? Shelter Animals Count advises pet parents to ensure their animals are spayed and neutered to help prevent unwanted litters – neutering your pet is so important – and suggests supporting shelters and rescues through donations and volunteering if you want to make a difference.

If adoption is something you may consider, here are eight things you need to know before getting a rescue dog. As for fostering, here are 32 reasons to foster a pet

Ruby, a one-year-old golden retriever, was surrendered to an animal shelter in Québec last summer, but the clever canine is now training to become a therapy dog.

The pup was left at SPCA Roussillon, and her happy, kind personality prompted the shelter to then recommend her to the Asista Foundation, which trains rescue dogs to be service animals for children and adults struggling with their mental health. Ruby is set to become one of the first service dogs in Asista’s Facility Service Dog Program.

Part of Ruby’s journey even saw her rubbing shoulders with sportspeople, after Asista ambassador Nick Suzuki, captain of the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League, and his fiancée, Caitlin Fitzgerald, fostered her.

Fitzgerald told People that they eagerly agreed to foster Ruby and said, “In just a few days, it felt like Ruby had been part of our lives for months. We immediately recognized her potential – not only as a service dog but also as a deeply loving companion," she adds.

After spending time with Fitzgerald and Suzuki, Ruby moved in with another temporary foster family before beginning specialized training with Asista’s training and intervention team. At this point, Asista viewed her as a great candidate for the new mobile version of its Facility Service Dog Program.

Usually, the program involves a service dog being paired up with one facility, like a school or a hospital. In contrast, the mobile version involves a dog being paired with a social worker who travels with them to different locations as and when needed.

Ruby’s training teaches her how to remain calm when it’s busy, recognize emotional cues in people, and eventually be able to perform up to 15 different tasks to assist in crisis management.

As Fitzgerald is a social worker, she and Suzuki agreed that they’d adopt Ruby and she’d be the professional paired up with her.

"We hadn't planned on adopting a dog, but fate had other ideas,” she said. “When Ruby came back into our lives, it changed everything. Both Nick and I have immersed ourselves into learning everything about the training process, and she now comes with us almost everywhere as we continue to prepare her for her role.”

Ruby’s taken to her training well, too, with Fitzgerald revealing that "her eagerness to work and please is remarkable – almost like a sixth sense,” so it sounds as though Asista couldn’t have chosen a better canine for the job. Golden retrievers are one of the best therapy dog breeds, so Ruby was a great choice from the start!

Read next: 32 things to know about service dogs

Stray dogs exist in most parts of the world, and they’re a bigger issue in some countries more than others.

Many of them live in poor conditions without any warmth, shelter, or the best dog beds, and are at risk of abuse, poor treatment from officials, and premature death.

Morocco alone has millions of stray dogs, and earlier this year it was reported that as many as three million of them may be culled by authorities ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2030, which Morocco is hosting alongside Spain and Portugal.

Saffron Dixon, from the town of Chesterfield in the UK, began feeding stray dogs in Taghazout, a Moroccan village, in 2023, and returned a year later to see them again. When she learned of the plans to kill stray dogs, she wanted to take action, and the 24-year-old is working with the charity Al-Nour Animal Help, which vaccinates and sterilizes local canines.

Since launching her campaign at the start of the year on GoFundMe, she’s raised more than £6,000 (around $7,700), far exceeding the original target of £250. It costs £25 ($32) to vaccinate a dog, and vaccinated street dogs get a tag through their ear indicating they’ve been vaccinated so that authorities will leave them alone. Sterilizing male dogs, meanwhile, costs £60 ($78) per procedure.

After the vaccination and sterilization program began, Dixon – who’s also planning on doing a skydive for the campaign next month – told the BBC she “cried all day because I have worked so hard on it” and added: “It has taken a lot to do it so I feel quite relieved now...I'm just hoping that these ones [dogs] will be left alone.”

Les Ward, chairman of the International Animal Coalition (IAWPC), said: "If we think things are bad, as in the case in Morocco, then we activate the international animal welfare coalition.

"We have offered to use our expertise and experience to introduce a humane, comprehensive animal dog management program in conjunction with the veterinary authorities and government in Morocco."

A spokesperson from the Embassy of Morocco, meanwhile, said the North African nation had an "unwavering commitment to humane and sustainable solutions for managing stray dog populations while prioritizing public health and animal welfare.”

If you come across a dog closer to home, and you’re not sure if they’re a stray, here’s what to do if you find a lost dog.

Following the death of her dog, Beth, in November, Queen Camilla has announced that she’s adopted a new rescue puppy, Moley.

The Queen shared the news during an outing in the English town of Canterbury on February 25, telling a member of the public, “I’ve just got a new puppy who’s eight weeks old,” so it looks like it’s time for her to find some of the best puppy food.

When asked about the breed, she answered, “Well, you may well ask! It’s a bit of everything. It’s a rescue dog … Called Moley, looks just like a mole!”

Town & Country reported that Moley is a female puppy from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where the Queen is patron, and that Moley has a mother who is half Jack Russell terrier – famously Camilla’s favorite breed.

She still has another dog, Bluebell, who was also rescued from Battersea. She adopted Beth in 2011 and welcomed Bluebell the following year, after she was found in a park in London with a painful skin condition.

Both dogs were embroidered on her coronation gown in golden thread, while they’d also appeared alongside her on royal engagements over the years.

The Royal Family announced on social media on November 18 that the Queen’s dog Beth died, describing her as a “much-loved companion.” It’s thought that she was euthanized after being diagnosed with an untreatable tumor.

Camilla is well-known for her love of dogs, as is her husband, King Charles III. And while Beth and Bluebell may have been the first rescue dogs to live at Buckingham Palace, the late Elizabeth II kept many corgis during her reign.

Elizabeth had more than 30 corgis over the years from when she became Queen in 1952 to her death in 2022, and always had at least one at any given time from 1933 to 2018 after her father, King George VI, brought home Dookie for her as a child. She also had at least 10 dorgis, which is a cross between a dachshund and a corgi.

After Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, her son, Prince Andrew, and his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, adopted her two surviving corgis, Sandy and Muick. The latter was gifted to her alongside Ferguson by Andrew and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, in 2021 to cheer her up while her husband, Prince Philip, was recovering from heart surgery.

Sadly, Fergus died from a heart defect when he was five months old, so a few months later the family gifted her Sandy.

Meanwhile, if you feel inspired by Camilla’s puppy news, here are 32 facts you need to know about adopting a dog as well as 10 dog adoption tips from a vet. Or, learn all about the Royal Family's dogs.

Public safety officer Sam Poe has adopted a dog that he helped rescue from being locked inside a car in 90-degree heat.

Adopting a dog is a fantastic way to give a pup a new life and plenty of happiness. Most people will adopt dogs through rescue centers and animal shelters, but one man has adopted a dog he actually helped to rescue himself – truly going the extra mile for this lucky canine.

Indianapolis Police have said that a dog left in a hot car has been adopted by a public safety officer who helped rescue her from the vehicle.

According to WISH, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officers were sent to the Intown Suites Hotel after reports of a dog left in a Chevrolet sedan.

Officer Poe was on the scene when Abby, a German Shepherd, as well as another dog and cat, were left inside a locked car. The animals were found in a hotel parking lot by the hotel’s manager, who investigated after clever Abby honked the car’s horn.

Officers were able to rescue Abby and the cat, who were thought to have been in the car for around three hours, but the second dog unfortunately died as a result of the incident.

Seventy-four-year-old Norma Light and 53-year-old Charles Thomas are facing charges in relation to the incident. Light allegedly explained that she left the animals in the car because the hotel wasn’t pet-friendly.

Police shared on Facebook that PSO Poe got in touch with Indianapolis Animal Care Services afterward and adopted Abby, in what they described as a “touching display of humanity.” He said, “I switched her collar, and it was like Abby knew she was home for good.”

Social media users commented on the post, praising PSO Poe for taking Abby in.

Kiarah Miller, a witness who saw the dog in the car just before police arrived, while she was walking her own dog, said, “I knew something had to be deeper when I saw poor little paws just stretched out there.”

Another witness said they heard Mr Thomas asking the other dog, a pit bull, to “wake up.”

The police force added that Indianapolis residents are required to bring pets inside when it’s over 90 degrees outside, or when there’s a heat advisory in effect. And, police lieutenant Shane Foley urged better heat safety awareness for people and dogs, saying, “Dogs need to have water. They need to have food. They need to have shelter. They need to have a way to get out of the heat.”

If you’re taking your dog on a car journey in the hot weather – staying in the car with them, of course – here’s how to prevent heatstroke in dogs.

For many dog parents, adoption is a great choice. While some first-time dog parents, or people with younger children, might prefer to get a dog from a responsible breeder, adoption gives you the chance to give a dog who may not have had the best start in life a loving home.

You can give your new pup plenty of love and affection – as well as some of the best dog treats, of course! It’s something that can be incredibly rewarding.

If adoption is something you’re considering – no matter your circumstances – you might want to take a look at this new book by Lara Eurdolian King (available on Amazon), which aims to teach families about adoption – based on the real-life story of a senior dog.

Charlie the Pomeranian, who’s now 18, was living in a hotel in Palm Springs, California in 2016 when King met him on vacation. He lived in the hotel lobby as part of a pet adoption program that let one dog at a time live at the hotel until they found their forever home.

King warmed to Charlie and started taking him on walks during her time at the hotel. The situation made her feel sad, she explained in an interview with Good Morning America, given his age, and she gradually fell in love with the pup.

While she’d never adopted a dog before, and had much more experience rescuing cats, she decided that she couldn’t leave him. She said, “To be honest, my heart kind of just broke when I saw him living there...he was the longest-running dog in the program. He didn't look quite as fluffy and healthy as he does today at 18, but I knew we could fix that or at least give him a very comfortable, loving life."

Indeed, Charlie now looks happy and healthy – and he’s even the inspiration for King’s book, Charlie at the Pom Springs Hotel.

The book tells the story of Charlie being a tour guide at the hotel, making friends with the local animals but being desperate for his forever home. In the book, says King, Charlie is a happy dog, but feels as though he’s missing his family. “Spoiler alert, he gets his wish,” she explains.

Her aim is that the book will teach families – including those who’ve adopted children themselves – as well as parents who want to teach kids about adoption, that it’s a “happy way” to find a forever family.

If adoption is something that you’re considering exploring when you come to get your next dog, here’s what you need to know about adopting a dog. And if you need any more excuses, here are 32 reasons to adopt a dog.

No matter how prepared you are, every new dog that enters your life will challenge you and teach you more than you could have expected. I picked up my five-year-old lurcher six months ago and when we started our journey together, I thought I knew a thing or two about dogs. It turns out, she was about to take me on a roller coaster ride of discovery, with a few tears along the way and plenty of goofy antics to keep us both entertained. 

There are several things you should know before you get a rescue dog and things you can do to help a nervous rescue dog settle in, but here are my main takeaways from the first six months. 

1. It took her longer to settle than I expected

Her personality was always there under the surface, but it took a while for the playful, happy dog I now know Dixie to be to replace the nervous lurcher I first brought home. However, the process ended up being sort of like peeling layers off an onion: every time I thought “to myself: “Oh she’s settled in now, she’s so comfortable,” another facet of her personality would reveal itself. She’s a sensitive soul, on her third home, so the shock of being uprooted from everything she knew and taken somewhere totally different with a new routine must have been terrible for her.

It turns out that Dixie is quite goofy and loves to play with her friends, but those initial six months involved working through a lot of fear. She barked at every dog she saw, refused to go into certain buildings if the floor looked funny to her, and would stop dead on our walks if something freaked her out. Thankfully I never considered returning her. 

2. Slow and steady wins the race

From the beginning, I was committed to not pushing Dixie any further or faster than she was comfortable. She had what seemed to be some fairly irrational fears (zebra crossings, tape measures, linoleum flooring), but I took them very seriously and we overcame them a little bit at a time, with lots of positive reinforcement in the form of the best dog treats, praise and toys.

I had a chat with Barking Heads dog behaviorist Adem Fehmi, who reinforced this choice, saying that forcing my dog into situations that scare her or make her uncomfortable will only show her that she can’t trust me. 

It took a while, but now, when we see something that makes Dixie feel uncertain or scared, she turns to me for reassurance, instead of falling back on her fight/flight instinct. If I say, “It’s ok, kid, I’ve got your back,” she seems to know this to be true.

3. Dog people are supportive and understanding

I’ve grown up with dogs but was surprised to find out how little I knew about supporting my dog when she began displaying fear-based behavior, especially when leashed. After speaking to Adem, I understood that because Dixie relies on her speed to get her out of situations she doesn’t like, by leashing her I was taking away her ability to do that, so she turned to the next card in the deck: barking. 

From Dixie’s perspective, she was just telling other dogs that she wasn’t comfortable and to go away when barking or growling at them. She still pulls out a snarl if a younger dog crosses a boundary or plays too roughly, but mostly she’s pleasant, even when leashed, due to lots of positive reinforcement and working on building a bond of trust between us. 

When she was in her “barky phase” however, I felt embarrassed and upset that I couldn’t seem to reassure her and that she was reacting poorly to other dogs. Other dog owners, however, were wonderfully understanding. They saw that we were working on it, they saw that Dixie was afraid, and they gave us the grace to continue working on the problem, instead of being angry or further highlighting the issue. 

Had Dixie been genuinely aggressive, I would have taken a different approach, but thankfully, while rude, the barking was where her problems started and ended and I could encourage her through every encounter as needed, rewarding her when she was polite.

4. She keeps surprising me

Even now, I’m brought to tears when Dixie faces a fear. She hates going to the vet and I usually have to carry her into the building out of necessity (which I hate doing as it removes her autonomy). Just a week ago, however, given time, and the right motivation (pet shop sausages), Dixie took her quivering bottom into the vet herself and even accepted a treat from the receptionist and the vet nurse. 

We go to the surgery monthly to get her nails trimmed, as I wanted to build up some familiarity with the vet and for it to not just be a place Dixie goes to when she’s hurt or unwell. While it has taken the full six months, lots of praise, and ungodly amounts of sausage, she’s finally reached a place where, if asked, she will walk in on her own. I was so proud, I sobbed the whole way home.

5. As her confidence has grown, so has her comfort zone

When we first started, lino flooring might as well have been lava, and Dixie wouldn’t set foot inside any shop, pub, or cafe that had anything other than carpet. But again, given the right motivation, she’s now happy to give it a shot. The other day, of her own accord, she took me to the pet shop in our village, waited for me to open the door, and then very tentatively stepped onto the lino floor and crept in to have a look around. 

She’s always been pretty clear about where she wants to go for her walk (something we sometimes disagree on) and has favorite places that we visit on our walks. However, the longer we’ve spent together, the more confident she is in going somewhere new. Having worked so hard on building a strong foundation of trust, I think she knows that I won’t take her anywhere bad, and so she’s far happier to go somewhere new and smell unfamiliar smells.

6. We had a couple of difficult spells where boundaries were tested

As she grew more settled and confident in herself and her space, Dixie decided that she could go it alone and started running off mid-walk to explore (I’m told this is a “lurcher thing,” but it’s definitely not desirable behavior, so I had to try to nip it in the bud). 

Although I never punished Dixie, I would leash her and take her home immediately once I caught up to her. She remained on a long line for several days after such an incident, until we had worked more on her recall, using high-value treats (the trusty pet shop sausages again) to ensure that she knew when I called her I meant right now. Eventually, the behavior disappeared again and it’s been several months since she’s had a “flight of fancy”. Adem suggests “fading the long line out” as her recall becomes more reliable, as time on the line is not a punishment, but a tool for training and improving the bond of trust. 

Enjoyed this? Check out Lou’s other content, including; ‘I tried everything to help my nervous rescue dog settle, here’s what actually worked’. 

We may be used to images of abandoned pups looking miserable, but shelters are a beacon of hope, doing an amazing job of rehabilitating dogs and finding perfect matches for their new forever homes. You’ll find a variety of personalities, from goofy puppies to wise old souls, in a cocktail of weird and wonderful breeds, all looking for their forever home.

It’s a win-win situation when you adopt – you get a loyal companion, and you’re breaking the chains of canine homelessness. And it’s not all about the good you’re doing for the sake of animal welfare; the rewards are manifold. You’ll boost your family with a devoted pet who’ll fill your days with love, laughter, and exasperation in equal measure. So, skip litters of perfect pedigree pups and consider the shelter. There are so many reasons for choosing to adopt a dog. All you need is patience and love – though experience and an open mind also help.

Adopting from a shelter gives an unwanted, abandoned dog another chance in life. More than three million dogs are taken into shelters in the US every year, but only around two million are rehomed. These dogs often have incredible stories of resilience, coming from all backgrounds. Not only are you providing a loving home to a needy pup, but you’re also embracing their unique journey and becoming part of their amazing tale of triumph.

32 reasons to adopt a dog

1. Save a life

By adopting a rescue dog, you are giving a second chance to a dog in need and potentially saving their life. Some dogs who have been rejected by their previous owners are put to sleep, around 390,000 in the US, according to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). However, this number has diminished significantly in the past decade.

2. Reduce overpopulation

Adopting from a shelter or rescue helps address the issue of pet overpopulation by providing homes for dogs who are already in need. According to the ASPCA, 3.1 million dogs enter US animal shelters every year.

3. Diverse options

Buying a puppy from a breeder, you’re not likely to get much choice. One breed, one litter – giving an assortment of very similar dogs of identical age and likely similar personalities given their genes. The world’s your oyster in a rescue center, where there will be myriad breeds and dogs of all shapes, sizes, temperaments, and ages – from puppies to veterans. You're guaranteed to find some of the American dog breeds at a shelter.

4. Temperament known

When dogs are given up for adoption, the previous owners need to supply all the characteristics, behavioral issues, pros and cons of the unwanted dog. They typically tell the full story, because they need to justify their reasons for not being able to continue keeping the dog. Abandoned dogs will be fully assessed and monitored by the experienced workers at the shelter, who will be able to tell you all they know without prejudice.

Not all rescue dogs have behavioral problems – some go into adoption centers because of the owner’s ill health or financial situation.

This transparency works to your advantage because you know what you are taking on.

5. Support and advice

Rescue centers typically offer lifelong support and advice to adopters. The center will tell you all about the dog, as it is in their best interest that the new relationship works out. Sometimes they will give you a bespoke training plan, and rescue charities such as the Dogs Trust in the UK and the United States will include Dog School classes in their rehoming fee.

6. Pre-trained – to varying degrees

There is a huge variation in how much a rescue dog will have been trained. Many will be in rescue centers because, for whatever reason, they have not been trained at all. Others may have been very well-trained, but circumstances have conspired so that they have ended up needing a new owner. Many adult dogs will be house-trained, have some socialization, and have basic commands.

Contrast this with a new puppy, who is likely to be completely untrained, although you could start with some quick and easy tricks to teach your dog. You will need to spend the first few months mopping up pee stains and messes while you try to figure out how to potty train a puppy, and cope with the dreaded teething phase.

7. Already neutered

Dogs are usually neutered or spayed before leaving the rescue center to prevent indiscriminate breeding, which saves you a vet fee for the surgery and the stress of supporting a new dog’s recovery. Adopters of dogs that are not neutered (for example, if they are too young) are typically given a neutering voucher and a line in the contract where you agree to neuter at the appropriate time.

8. Immediate companionship

When you start the process of buying a puppy, it can feel like a long time between visiting the litter, picking your favorite puppy, and the bundle of fluff arriving home. With a rescue dog, they’re ready and waiting for their forever home, so as soon as an ideal match is found, you can immediately start building your new relationship. And a dog that has been waiting for their soulmate will be craving your companionship.

9. Lower cost

Since Covid, puppy prices have risen astronomically. The price for adopting a dog is roughly 10% of the cost of a pedigree puppy, of course depending on breed and bloodlines. Most rescue centers charge a donation fee of around $250.

Rescue centers often also provide some sort of useful free kit, such as a collar and leash, a few weeks of free pet insurance, a handbook, and a few days of their current food so you can switch them gradually to one of the best dog food options.

10. Adult dogs need homes too

Cute as puppies undeniably are, adult dogs equally deserve a loving home. Puppies are more popular and tend to find homes easily, but by adopting an older animal you are providing an unwanted, unloved dog with a forever home where he will be cherished and adored. How can you deny them that?

11. Support local shelters

Adoption centers do vital work in keeping stray dogs off the streets, providing safe shelter for abused dogs, and finding new homes for those who are ready for adoption. By adopting, your donation will serve to improve the lives of those that pass through your local center.

12. Helping strays

Stray dogs are a concern across the world, and in some countries the problem is massive. While canine welfare is a major aspect, strays have implications for public health and safety as well as wildlife conservation and protecting the environment.

Besides the health and welfare problems they suffer, stray dogs spread disease, as they are usually unvaccinated; they can cause public health problems either by biting or causing a road accident; and due to not being neutered, they will exacerbate the issues by indiscriminate breeding.

13. Join a community of adopters

Rescue centers often work hard to build a sense of family between adopters, so that once you have taken on a dog, you are part of their community. Some charities, such as the Dogs Trust, send their pets to their new home with a colored collar, so you can recognize fellow adopted dogs in the park.

Charities also build social media networks and welcome updates on their dogs thriving in new homes and sharing those upbeat bulletins with other members – as well as being able to ask questions and seek support.

14. Unique mixes

While pedigree breeds are wonderful, and you know what you are getting, many dog owners have found their most precious canine friend to be a mixed breed, a “Heinz 57” dog with unknown ancestry. Some mixed breeds such as Cockapoo and Labradoodle are intentional, but those that end up in rescue centers are often due to an accidental, never-to-be-repeated mating, so you could get yourself a one-off superstar. Mongrels are typically intelligent dogs; they’re not in-bred and so often they are healthy and long-lived. And you might know what you’re getting at the time, but you can identify any breed with a DNA test.

15. Good for all age groups

Whether you’re young or old, there’s a rescue dog for every age group, ready to provide companionship and love. Rescue centers are skilled in finding the perfect match for each dog, so one might relish a young and lively family, while another might be one of the best dogs for introverts.

16. Crisis response

At certain moments, rescue centers can become very overcrowded, such as during financial crises, or after natural disasters. Adopting a rescue dog can help with the crisis response, by providing a home to free up space for other needy dogs.

17. Encourage responsible pet ownership

Maybe it’s all the rage to get a new puppy among your friends and colleagues, but by adopting an unwanted dog, you set an example for just one way to be a responsible dog owner, showing that every dog has worth, and may encourage others to do the same.

18. Bond building

Dogs are known as loyal, faithful companions, and those adopted from charities often form particularly strong bonds with their adopters, as if they appreciate the second chance they’ve been given. Once you have built the trust and they understand that you have their best interests at heart and a forever home, your bond will be unshakable.

19. The rewards of training challenges

Working through some of the common dog behavioral challenges with a rescue dog can be a profoundly rewarding experience, building a strong bond between you and your new canine companion as he learns to trust you.

20. Enhanced intuition

Rescue dogs have often experienced challenging situations in their backgrounds and have developed a heightened sense of intuition and survival skillset. This can cause them to be super-sensitive to their owner’s emotions and needs, enabling a particularly profound bond.

21. Screened health issues

Most shelters will ensure their dogs are thoroughly checked by a vet so that you are fully aware of any existing conditions and can treat them accordingly. Some will even cover the costs of long-term treatment.

They will also be vaccinated and given appropriate worm, flea, and tick preventatives. We also recommend investing in some of the best pet insurance to help offset costs further down the line.

22. Unconditional love

Most dogs can offer unconditional love – it’s the reason they’re known as man’s best friend. However, rescue dogs with a background of being uncherished and unwanted often display a profound sense of gratitude, which can lay the foundations for a particularly special bond with their new owner.

23. Educational opportunity

Practice what you preach! If you feel strongly about animal welfare, in adopting a rescue dog, you have the opportunity to educate others about the importance of responsible pet ownership and the joys of adoption.

24. Supporting rehabilitation

Some rescue dogs are wounded in body and/or soul. Taking on a dog which isn’t the perfect blank canvas that a puppy might appear to be, enables you to provide care, support, and love to a damaged dog that no one wants. The rewards are that you will contribute to their healing process in the long term.

25. Potential heroes

There are plenty of happy endings of dogs who have been adopted and gone on to become therapy dogs or service dogs, or even life-savers in family situations. Their survival skills and developed empathy can give them wonderful attributes in these areas.

26. Customized matches

Rescue centers work hard to make an ideal match between a potential adopter and dog. It’s rarely as simple as walking into the center and picking a dog you like the look of. You will usually have to fill in questionnaires, have home-checks and an interview to make sure you are the ideal candidate. This means your new dog should be perfectly suited to your home life, and you to him.

27. Foster failures

Some rescue organizations offer fostering opportunities, allowing you to care for a dog on a short-term basis while a long-term home is found. If you fall in love with your foster dog, you may be given first choice to adopt them – already knowing your new friend fits right into your home life.

28. Teaching compassion

Adopting a rescue dog provides an opportunity to nurture your own compassion and kindness characteristics, as well as modeling them to your kids and friends, demonstrating the value of giving second chances.

29. Inspirational stories

Many rescue dogs come with inspiring stories of resilience and overcoming adversity. By adopting, you become a part of their ongoing story of triumph against the odds.

30. Tail-wagging gratitude

Is there any happier sight than a joyful dog wagging his tail? When you ponder where a rescue dog may have come from, and the happiness you have enabled him to feel, there’s no reward quite like it.

31. Diverse personalities

Shelters typically have a diverse mix of dogs with different backgrounds and unique personalities, allowing you to find a canine companion whose traits align perfectly with your own.

32. Lifetime of love

By adopting a rescue dog, you open your heart to a lifetime of love, loyalty, and gratitude from your four-legged friend, as well as creating a ripple effect of positive change in the lives of animals.

Most dogs love to play. But, what if you have a rescue dog who was never used to playing before they arrived in your life? Sadly, we know all too well that some dogs don’t have very nice lives before we bring them home, and don’t have the chance to enjoy themselves.

If you’re hoping to play games like tug-of-war with your rescue pup, dog trainer and behaviorist Louise Glazebrook has explained how you can introduce them to play in a recent Instagram post. After all, all you need is one of the best dog toys – nothing too fancy!

Should you play tug of war with your puppy, or an older rescue dog? We might associate activities like tug with younger dogs, but even older rescue dogs can love the game! 

In her video, Glazebrook is working with Ruby, a rescue dog who had been used for breeding, and so wasn’t used to play. “I chose a toy that was soft, had a round end (easy to mouth), and wasn’t heavy,” she explains.

Glazebrook continues, “We allowed lots of time to sniff it and explore it. I moved it gently around her face as she was interested in sniffing. She then took the step of mouthing it.”

While you might be tempted at this point to start trying to play tug-of-war, it’s actually important not to! Avoid putting pressure on the toy or yanking it back, as the key is to build your dog’s confidence in simply mouthing and touching the toy.

Instead, just hold the end of the toy to make it a little bit interactive and create a pull, if your pup wants to pull. But if not, you’re there to support and encourage them! And, once your dog stops and wants to walk off, let them. You can always have another go tomorrow – it’s important to take your time and be patient when you’re encouraging your pup. 

Remember, most dogs have a natural chase drive, including rescues. So, with plenty of patience and positive reinforcement, you might find that your pup loves playing games like tug. Just keep things light and fun as they get used to having the opportunity to play. 

Training a rescue dog can be incredibly rewarding. But at the same time, it’s not necessarily easy, and there are challenges involved with training a rescue dog that might not be there when you’re training a puppy. 

You might find these eight tips for training a rescue dog useful for everything from socialization to setting your pup up for success. 

Unless specifically stated, any expert comments quoted in this news piece have been taken directly from the Instagram post cited below.

When you’re a dog parent, you might find yourself needing to go away for a night or two without your pup every so often. 

And while you’ll likely miss each other lots, you’ll know that your furry friend will be having a great time while they’re being cared for, playing with some of the best dog toys and eating some of their favorite treats.

But if you have a rescue dog, you might feel more hesitant to go away without them. After all, it might be the first night you’ve spent away from each other since your pup came into your life. However, there are things that you can do to make the night apart as stress-free as possible for both of you. 

Dog trainer and behaviorist Louise Glazebrook offers her advice in a recent Instagram post – and it’s a real eye-opener.

In Glazebrook’s video, she looks at the experience of her parents, who went away for the night without their rescue dog Ted for the first time while she looked after him.

“I stayed at their house for the night to keep it consistent for him,” she begins in the post’s caption, “So that everything else stayed the same.”

She explains that he went on a big walk before her parents left, and that she sat with him while he saw her parents get in their car. They then went back inside and played, and she gave him some extra playtime after he’d eaten. 

She sat in the room where he sits each evening while she watched TV and worked on her laptop, and kept to the same bedtime routine as he’s used to (here’s a vet’s guide on how to get a dog to sleep!) 

“In the morning,” Glazebrook continues, “I let him explore as he came running upstairs to check if they were home.” She let Ted explore her parents’ bedroom and sit in there, and then let him sit with her while she got ready for the day, and then played with him and gave him the chance to explore the garden.

She adds, “Don’t underestimate the little things you do and how it can impact your rescue dog who is still settling in. We haven’t even had Ted for six months – this is still very much a settling-in period.”

Leaving your rescue dog for the first time can be daunting, there’s no question about that. But if you leave your pup with a trusted friend or relative who’s met them beforehand, and stick to their usual routine and environment as much as possible, they’re more likely to manage better. 

If you have a rescue dog but you’re not quite at the stage to leave them with somebody else for the night yet, you may find this article useful: I tried everything to help my nervous rescue dog settle in — here’s what actually worked.

Although buying a dog from a breeder is the most popular way of bringing a new pup into your home, more and more people are considering adoption. And with good reason. Adopting a dog means you’re giving a good home to a pooch that may otherwise be left without a family. As with any decision, however, it needs to be given some thought.

Here we take a look at 32 facts you need to know about adopting a dog – facts that will make you stop and think, facts that will help you decide if adoption is for you and facts that are just plain fun. As you will see, those who run and work in shelters and rescue centers are doing an amazing job and they deserve our support.

32 facts you need to know about adopting a dog

It’s a very good thing to do

When you are adopting a dog, you’re doing so much good. In most cases, you are giving a pooch a second chance of happiness by allowing them to live a rich, fulfilling life – the likes of which they may never have had beforehand. Adoption is generally seen to be better than shopping for a dog because you’re potentially saving a life. One thing’s for sure, you’re going to be avoiding backyard puppy breeders, some of which can be unscrupulous in their approach.

There are more homeless animals than humans

According to statistics from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, around 582,462 Americans are experiencing homelessness. It’s a tragic figure and one which needs to be urgently tackled. There are also 70 million stray animals living in the US, a huge proportion of which are dogs. It, too, is a damning figure and a good indication as to why adopting one of these poor canines when they find their way into a shelter really is an important thing to do.

You’re actually saving more than one life

Adoption isn’t only beneficial for the dog you will be taking into your home. It is also fantastic for other dogs who need to be rescued. When you take on a dog from a shelter or a rescue, you are also freeing up space for another poor pup and that, in turn, means they also have a chance of being rehomed. With space at a premium – so much so that some dogs end up being euthanized for space – adoption into a forever home plainly plays a vital role.

Adopted dogs are in the minority

Statistics in the US suggest that only 23% of dogs are adopted from shelters or humane societies. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, that’s equating to two million adopted dogs each year (out 3.1 million who enter US animal shelters annually). By adopting, you’re helping to get the numbers up and maybe even showing friends and other family members the benefits of adoption. There are lots of dogs waiting for homes.

You can return a dog – but try not to!

When adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue, there is always the possibility of returning it. Of course, it’s not an ideal situation and it should be avoided with careful research and planning beforehand. But, that said, not everything goes as smoothly as you expect. Lives and circumstances can quickly change and problems can arise with a pooch that you may feel unable to cope with. The key, however, is in taking your time and working out whether an adopted dog is a good fit for you before taking the plunge.

It’s important to find a reputable shelter

One of the crucial things to consider when adopting a dog is whether the shelter you are visiting is putting the welfare of our canine companions first. So ask to see how the dogs are being housed, ask a whole bunch of questions and be absolutely sure that you are supporting a shelter that is doing good. Adoption can be as much about supporting a reputable shelter in their amazing work as it is homing a vulnerable dog. It’s in everyone’s interest to ensure shelters are up to scratch.

They can still cost a lot of money

So you’ve fallen in love with a dog and you dearly want to adopt it. You’re also pleasantly surprised to discover that the cost of adopting a dog tends to be cheaper than buying from a breeder. But you still need to do the math. The upfront cost is only half the tail – sorry, tale – and you need to take into consideration all of the other things that a pooch will need from food and toys to essential equipment such as beds and beds and leads. Make sure you can afford a dog.

They can be at different stages of life

There are a few reasons why you’ll want to know a dog’s lifespan. On the one hand, you’ll need to work out how long you’re going to need to be committed to your potential adopted pooch and, on the other, you’ll want to know how long it’s going to be before you have to prepare to say a sad farewell. The importance of this question depends on your motivation for adopting. You may be looking to give a dog a great end to their life or looking for a dog to stick by you for years.

 Their history is important

When adopting a dog, it’s crucial that you know everything about him or her so that you understand exactly what you’re going to have to do in the future. You’ll need to know where the dog has come from and how well the dog has been treated especially if you are rehoming a rescue dog. Some of them have sadly been neglected or suffered cruelly and that requires a different strategy to those born in care. Never be afraid to ask. In fact, you’ll be expected to ask.

You need to know about their health

When adopting a dog, you need to know if he or she has been vaccinated. It’s also important to learn if the dog has been neutered (which means the testicles have been removed in males) or spayed (in which females have their womb and ovaries removed) – they will have if you're buying from a shelter or rescue. Learning more about a dog’s health will give you an idea of the cost of adoption and also how much care and attention you will have to give to specific conditions. It shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. It’s just for information.

Adults can often be sadly overlooked

Adoption tends to involve adult dogs and that’s a good thing. So many people overlook adult dogs because in favour of puppies and, by adopting, you’re helping to balance things out a little. Older canines still have so much to give and, in some cases, adult dogs can be easier than raising a puppy. They will have likely received some training, be housetrained and less destructive, depending on their upbringing. Worried you won’t be able to enjoy teaching them new tricks? You’ll be surprised that old dogs can still learn them.

There are loads of mixed-breed dogs

The majority of dogs in shelters are mixed breed so if that appeals then you are certainly going to be in luck. Indeed, with mutts becoming more and more popular among owners, heading to a shelter is going to prove to be a very good move for you. The only thing you will need to be careful of, however, is whether a breed is being misidentified. A study published in the journal PLOS One once showed that shelter staff only get it right 67% of the time.

Adopted mixed-breed dogs can be healthier

It has long been known that mixed-breed dogs can be healthier than purebred dogs. There’s a valid, logical reason for this, too: mixed-breed dogs have a wider gene pool than purebred ones and that means a mutt is going to be less inclined to suffer from hereditary genetic disorders. Interesting, mixed-breed dogs live, on average, four years longer than purebred ones so if you’re after a dog that will be by your side for a long time to come, adopt a mutt.

You can get purebred dogs at shelters

You may be under the misapprehension that all of the dogs you find up for adoption are mongrels but that isn’t the case in reality. About a quarter are purebred, although it must be pointed out that most of them are American Pit Bull Terriers or other pit bull types.

It’s not uncommon to find Labrador Retrievers, boxers and German Shepherds up for adoption, however. In other words, you should be able to find the dog you want if you seek to adopt.

Pit Bulls need a home too

Yes, Pit Bulls are deemed dangerous by some but they can also be very smily dogs who would do no harm. Adopt a well-trained Pit Bull or be prepared to put in a lot of time and effort to train one yourself and you will find you have a wonderful family pet on your hands. There is no denying that they are strong dogs with powerful jaws, though, so you shouldn’t take one on board if you don’t believe you can handle it. Talk to the shelter in great detail about an individual dog’s temperament.

A dog’s personality is often established

One of the benefits of adopting a dog is that the shelter or rescue workers will have a very good idea of the pooch’s personality. They will be able to tell you what the dog likes and doesn’t like and they will also be able to give you the heads-up if there are any potential problems. The whole point of adoption is that dogs are given loving homes. In that sense, shelters will go to great lengths to work out if you and your dog will be a good match.

The dog may not behave well

Much depends on a dog’s upbringing and whether or not the pooch has been socialized. A poorly socialized dog may not react well at first to having children or strangers around. That’s not to say they’ll bite but they can become more anxious in unfamiliar environments. It’s important to know if a dog has been properly socialized so that you can work out what your next steps will be. In some instances, you may want to seek professional assistance for your adopted dog.

A dog may behave very well

Just because a dog is in a shelter doesn’t mean they have been neglected or poorly treated. A dog may have ended up in that situation simply because the previous owner had a life change that meant they couldn’t have a dog. Indeed, there are many different reasons why a dog is being put up for adoption from landlords who won't entertain pets to a sudden human death. So it pays not to go into an adoption with preconceptions and to keep your eyes and mind firmly open.

You may need to housetrain your pooch

Just because a dog is an adult doesn’t mean that they are housetrained – or at least housetrained to the degree that you’d like. But that’s not really a problem if you simply assume that you will have to start from scratch in the same way that you would if you shopped for pup. By engaging in basic training, you’ll soon see what your dog is capable of and help them to move forwards. You will also begin to understand your dog better if you take this approach.

It may take more time to bond

Patience is required when you adopt a dog – even more so than when you simply buy one. You may need to give your adopted dog confidence since they are going into new surroundings. You also need to take into account any problems they may have encountered in the past. Quiet time together will enable you to better bond with your pet. One thing’s for sure, you should never shout at an adopted dog just as you should never yell at any pooch, come to that.

You can get retired service dogs

There is great satisfaction in rehoming a retired service dog, knowing that you will be giving them a comfortable, loving life as a reward for all of their years of hard work. But, whether you’re adopting a retired military, working, police or guide dog, you will still need to know about their background. Some service dogs fail to make the grade, for example, and can have myriad problems while military dogs will have to undergo some retraining.

Adoption promotes neutering and spaying

Shelters will neuter and spay dogs and that’s a good thing. It means more pets will have had these procedures and they will be more affectionate pets as a result. Spaying and neutering also leads to longer lives for dogs and it ensures that your dog definitely won’t be able to get pregnant – so no unwanted surprises. It keeps the dog population in check too, reducing the number of canines being abandoned and needing to be adopted in the future.

Vet trips are still necessary

Just because a shelter or rescue organisation reckons your dog is in good shape, it’s still advisable to take your adopted pooch to a vet for another checkover. If nothing else, you’ll be getting your dog on your vet’s books and ticking the right boxes – a vet may spot something which can be easily rectified such as a missed jab or an infection. In other words, adopting a dog just has the same responsibilities as buying a dog from a breeder or shop.

The microchip registration needs transferring

When you adopt a dog, double check that the microchip registration will be transferred to yourself and, if not, visit a vet so they can tell you the name of the company the microchip is registered with. You can then take steps to ensure it is in your name so that, should anything happen in the future, your adopted dog ends up being traced back to you and not any previous owner. Updates can be carried out online, by post or by telephone depending on the company.

Most dog adopters would adopt again

Some adopters regret taking on a dog but the vast majority don’t. A British survey to mark National Adoption Day found that three-quarters of adopters would adopt again. It’s great news and shows that the system is working, by and large, ensuring lots of wonderful dogs are getting fabulous new loving homes with owners who are patient and willing to put in the time to give them a second chance in life. With a bit of luck, positive words will continue to spread.

Adoption doesn’t take a very long time

It’s true that you won’t be able to walk into a shelter, point at a dog you like the look of and take it away with you that very same day. Adoption doesn’t work like that. Instead, it’s more like dating where the shelter management are trying to match-make potential owners with pets that are going to be best suited to them. There will be meetings to discuss the ins and outs of adopting a dog but once you’ve been accepted, you’ll have your dog at home within a week or so.

You’re saving taxpayers’ money

Money isn’t everything, especially when it comes to a dog’s life but it costs around $2 billion each year in the US to round up, house and euthanize homeless animals. Adopting a dog lowers the number of dogs needing to be euthanized and, quite aside from the fact that there’s an actual life at stake there, that’s a taxpayer money saver. So your adoption of a wonderful, cute little dog could mean more money being freed up for the benefit of communities.

You may have a star on your hands

A number of adopted dogs have not only been taken to the hearts of their owners but also the nation and world at large. The movie Benji from 1974 arguably paved the way with a mixed breed dog starring a real shelter rescuee. Then there is Mr Winkle, rescued as a stray before becoming something of a marketing phenomenon. Adopted dogs have backstories that make them interesting and, of course, they will remain as cute as they were when they were born.

 Loads of celebrities adopt dogs

This could start reading like a Who’s Who of Hollywood but so many celebs have rescued dogs including Sandra Bullock, John Travolta, Whoopi Goldberg, Liev Schreiber and Jennifer Aniston. Ariana Grande is a devoted fan of adopted dogs: she has nine of them. The singer has always been a big dog lover and she’s a firm believer in ensuring dogs have the same happiness growing up as she did when she was a child.

 You can adopt dogs from overseas

But if you do, be very careful. Not all dog importers are above board and the stories they may tell about a dog requiring adoption aren’t always true. It’s always better to adopt a dog from your own country and to speak and see the pooch before you part with any money. That way, you can be more sure that your dog isn’t going to be carrying infectious diseases such as rabies. You will also significantly cut down on paperwork and the time spent on tests.

You’ll get support from adoption centers

People who work in shelters care for dogs. They want to see them rehoused and loved and they dearly want things to work out for you. So they’ll be there for help and advice. They will support you through your new journey with your new fun pal. So don’t be afraid to call them up if need be or to simply keep in touch with them so they know how one of their furry friends is getting on. Who knows, you may even end up volunteering some of your time in return.

Adopting helps to close puppy mills

The more people adopt, the fewer the need for puppy mills. And that is a very good thing! Puppy mills – or puppy farms – are controversial for many reasons. They exist to provide potential pets and make money, with an emphasis on quantity. Be wary of unlicensed puppy mills and any that appear to have a choice of breeds. And never meet a breeder in a neutral location. Buying a dog in a parking lot isn’t likely to be the sign of a legitimate breeder.

Read next: what I wish I knew before getting a second dog

It's an exciting day. Your new rescue dog is coming home! You imagine long walks in the park and cozy snuggles with your furry friend in front of the TV. It's a lovely vision. Still, sometimes, a rescue dog presents challenges for new owners and it’s worth being aware of these to help make the transition as smooth as possible for you both.

There tends to be three phases of a rescue dog: coping with sudden changes, settling in at home, and becoming comfortable and confident. These phases upon being rehomed can often be quite dramatic, so patience is key when it comes to helping your new fur friend settle in. 

As a dog behaviorist, owners typically require my services when their dog's behavior escalates. From choosing a dog to suit your lifestyle to finding the longest-lasting dog chews, there's much to consider before your dog comes home. 

Choose a dog that suits your lifestyle

You may love hiking and want a dog that thrives on exercise. Or you may live in an apartment and want a cuddly companion happy to sit with you whilst you write your novel. 

Some breeds are couch potatoes; others need constant physical or mental stimulation. The closer you match a dog with your personality and lifestyle, the less likely you will encounter problems. 

Be prepared

If possible, visit the dog a few times and take him for walks before bringing him home. That way, when your furry friend joins the family, he feels more confident because he already knows you. 

The longer your dog has spent in the shelter, the harder it might be for him to adjust. It can take several months for a rescue dog to adapt to a new home. During that time, his behavior may be challenging. 

Behavioral issues are the main reason for rejecting a newly adopted dog. It can be easier to manage potential problems, especially for large or high-energy breeds, if the home has a garden or yard, somewhere the dog can "hang out" unrestricted, 

It's important that the entire family is on the same page for training the dog because consistency is vital for his learning. Decide who will feed, walk and train him each day.

Manage the first week

It's tempting to devote time to your rescue dog when he comes home, but that can cause issues. For example, if you take a week off work, the dog becomes used to you being with him constantly. When you return to work, he may experience separation anxiety (check out our guide to how to reduce separation anxiety in dogs if you find yourself struggling with this issue). 

If you're bringing a rescue puppy home, avoid non-stop cuddling and give him regular time to be alone so he learns how to self-soothe.

Give your dog a space to call his own

Before your dog comes home, set up a space for him, such as a crate with a cozy bed and one or two toys. You might want to cover the crate with a blanket if the dog is nervous. 

A crate is not for time-out or punishment. It should be a safe place where a dog can go to rest or when feeling unsure about a situation.

Ask the shelter if there is anything you can bring home that belongs to the dog so he has something to cuddle or play with that smells familiar. 

Dog proof your home and garden

Many rescue shelters insist on a garden with 6' fencing because it's surprising how high a dog can jump. Repair flimsy fencing and lock away dangerous chemicals like slug pellets and weedkillers. 

Decide where your dog is allowed to go in the home. If you don't want him to go upstairs, you might want to attach a baby gate. Depending on the dog's history, he may never have lived in a home, so he doesn't know how to behave.

Some dogs can open doors, including fridges and cupboards, so prepare for that. Put food out of reach and secure anything toxic, like cleaning supplies. 

Put your clothing and shoes away from temptation. One of my dogs once destroyed an expensive pair of walking boots. That was entirely my fault as I didn't put them away when I went out. 

Give your dog one or two safe toys. Avoid leaving him alone with tennis balls or anything he could swallow. If you go out, you may want to give your dog a long-lasting chew to keep him occupied. 

Plan to introduce to your rescue dog to other pets

If you have another dog, allow time for them to get to know each other. If the shelter has a secure area, you can introduce them in a controlled environment.

Be aware that your current dog may resent the attention the new rescue dog is getting from you, and allocate your time accordingly. Introduce cats and small furries safely; in time, they will get used to each other.

Walk the dog as soon as you get home

Walking with your dog when you get home helps build an immediate bond. This one step alone can greatly affect how quickly a dog settles into a new home. 

When I brought my rescue dog, Ellie, home, she was uncertain, and her body language was defensive. She'd been thrown out of a car in Ireland and had already had one failed adoption, so she didn't trust people.

Together with my other dog, I walked Ellie for five kilometers before bringing her into the home. On returning from the walk, she followed me around the house and was relaxed and happy. 

Find a local dog training class

Your dog may have had little training, so classes can help him become more confident and social. Before attending, arrange a meeting with the trainer and ask questions about their training techniques and qualifications. 

Avoid a trainer who talks about dominance, punishment, and pack leadership. We get the best from our dogs by being benevolent leaders, someone our dog can trust to be consistent, fair, and firm without bullying. 

Training a rescue dog takes daily commitment. Break the training into bite-sized sessions of 5-10 minutes throughout the day. Even better, make training part of everyday life. For instance, ask your dog to sit before you feed him or when opening the door to go for a walk. Ask him to wait before jumping out of the car and sit before you take off his lead. 

Rescuing a dog is a wonderful thing. If you're prepared, there's no reason it shouldn't be a positive experience from day one. Remember that your dog doesn't know you and may feel confused for weeks or months. Until that time, keep your dog on a lead unless you can let him free in a dog park or secure field. 

Finally, know that, according to Sarah Whitehead of Think Dog, "If you own a dog, you are a trainer." Therefore, whenever you are with your rescue dog, you teach him what to do and what not to do. Start noticing when he is calm and well-behaved and praise him for making an effort, even if he sometimes gets it wrong.

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Adopting a rescue dog will come with a unique set of challenges you won’t have when you get a new puppy. 

They might not have had a very good start in life, and be unsure around people – even if you try to entice them with some of the best puppy toys out there. Their previous parents may not have trained them, or they might have particular health needs.

Jasmine Kelem, head trainer at Golden Mal Dog Training, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, has shared in an Instagram post some advice she’d give people who’ve just adopted a dog, in order to aim for a strong relationship and bond. 

First of all, Kelem says in her post to forget any expectations you might have. “Living animals are all unique,” she says, “Especially ones that have had weeks or months or even years of experiences you don’t know about.”

While you might have certain aims or goals in mind, or things you want to achieve, it’s best not to get your heart set on achieving them in a given time frame. There are three phases of a rescue dog, and it might take some dogs longer to work through them than others. 

The second piece of advice Kelem gives in her post is to “start with management”. As she explains, it’s best to be a good owner, managing your dog, before you get onto teaching your dog and trying to “fix” behaviors you don’t like. 

Something else Kelem advises is meeting your dog’s needs. It might sound obvious, but you should give your rescue dog everything they need to feel safe and happy. This includes a diet that suits them, space for them to rest and relax – settling a rescue dog at night is important too – plenty of structure, walks, and toys and chews. 

Training is also something that you should start when you adopt a rescue dog – ideally with a professional. “It’s not that obedience solves every problem,” Kelem explains, “But there is immeasurable value in the process of creating that obedience: building a relationship, creating positive associations, learning to communicate, developing trust, and boosting engagement in all environments.”

Finally, Kelem explains that compromise is key. Your rescue dog might need training, but in turn, you can make them feel comfortable while doing so, for example. Your dog needs to learn to relax in the house, but you need to show them how. 

Adopting a rescue dog and giving them a forever home is rewarding, but it can be challenging, and it’s important to remember that. As exciting as it might be, remember to stay realistic – it might not always go completely smoothly. 

And, every dog is an individual. Even if you’ve adopted dogs before, or you’ve helped out with friends or family members when they’ve adopted dogs, your new pup might have a different personality and different likes and dislikes from other rescue dogs you’ve spent time with. 

If you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s what worked for one rescue dog parent: I tried everything to help my nervous rescue dog settle in — here’s what actually worked.

It’s no secret that many of our dogs love to sleep. Often, they seem to enjoy snoozing just as much as they do playing and going for walks. 

But when a dog has a new home, whether they’re a rescue dog or they’re a puppy away from their mother and littermates for the first time, they might not find sleeping too easy. For whatever reason, they may be a bit anxious or unsure about going to sleep. 

So, what can you do to help them? Dog trainer and behaviorist Louise Glazebrook has offered a few simple steps on Instagram designed to help your new pup go to sleep calmly and happily – and you won’t even need the best dog treats to hand. 

First, Glazebrook explains in her post, it’s best to ensure that your new dog is somewhere comfortable, like a bed or sofa, at a time when you know they’re tired, but they’re too unsure or anxious to go to sleep.

“Place your hand on their chest so they see it, smell it, and know where it is,” says Glazebrook in the post. “If they are okay with that and don’t try to get away from it, then do the next steps.”

Gently move your hand in downward, circular motions, but don’t ruffle your dog’s fur or press too hard. And as they begin to drift off to sleep, keep your hand there – but you can stop moving it. Once your pup is asleep, it’s fine to gently remove your hand, but don’t go.

When settling a rescue dog at night, “You must stay seated and close by,” explains Glazebrook. “So, if your dog opens their eyes, they can see you are still there. Do not try to do it and run off. That defeats the whole purpose of helping an uncertain dog feel secure”. 

It’s important to remember that, while this might seem like a lot of work, it’s not something you’ll be doing forever. As Glazebrook says, “When we are trying to settle, reassure, and provide safety, contact is key”. 

What if you have a new puppy and they’re fine getting to sleep, but don’t stay asleep all night? Here’s how to get a puppy to sleep through the night. Meanwhile, if you have a rescue dog who’s finding things a little tricky, you might find this pet parent’s experience useful: I tried everything to help my nervous rescue dog settle in — here’s what actually worked.

Whether you have a puppy or an older rescue dog, however, remember that it’s likely to take a little bit of time until they’re totally comfortable and at ease. After all, moving to a new home is a big change for them. But, with your support and patience, they’ll have a much better chance of adjusting sooner rather than later. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I, like many people, experienced a deep sense of disconnection with others. Social distancing measures, lockdowns and working from home reduced physical and emotional contact for many of us.

Despite having a family, I became increasingly stressed and anxious about how isolated I felt, particularly from my community. How could I connect with others in my street and area after spending so long avoiding all sorts of contact?

Even after the pandemic faded into the background of everyday life, my sense of loneliness and disconnection persisted. I tried litter-picking in my local community to shore up the feelings and transform them into positive action. Still, these voluntary events were weeks apart, and in many cases, we separated across a vast green space, picking up litter alone. 

Amidst all this, my sister returned to full-time work, and her loyal and lovable Golden Retriever, Hopper, was becoming anxious about being left alone for long periods. Anxiety in dogs has been widespread among canines way before humans made the post-pandemic return to work, so it's no wonder Hopper suffered from this. 

Previously a stay-at-home mom, my sister had no choice but to reluctantly give up Hopper, knowing that he needed an owner who could be with him 24/7. She called me to see if I could offer him a home, despite living in a different country and having no prior experience owning a dog.

When she asked us if we would adopt Hopper into our family, we leaped at the chance. We had already met him on visits back to Ireland, knew he was well-trained, gentle with children, and loved cats. With a 10-year-old boy and a 16-year-old cat at home, he was the perfect fit for us.

My sister came to settle Hopper in, and there was a sad and tearful farewell as she returned home. Now we had a dog! A dog that needed a lot of exercise, love and of course the very best puppy toys.. A dog that also missed his old family and cat friends back home. We inched tentatively into our new lives together, walk by walk.

How dogs can reduce loneliness and isolation

At first, Hopper was a problem walker. Spooked by busy streets, unsure of his new territory, he would suddenly sit down mid-walk, refuse to budge, or stand stock still in the middle of a road. Ever tried to move a Golden Retriever who doesn't want to be moved?  It’s impossible, especially if that dog is just a handful of pounds lighter than you. 

Standing by my dog mountain one day in a street near my home, patiently waiting for him to move (and feeling ridiculous), a woman drew up in her car to tell me that was the second Golden Retriever she’d seen that day who staged a sit-down protest. We shared a brief chat and a chuckle about these obstinate creatures, then went on our separate ways (after more patient waiting from me). This simple interaction was the first of many spontaneous chats I would have as a dog owner over the next year.

After a while, Hopper and I settled into a daily walking routine around the local parks and green spaces, and there began the transformation that having a dog can bring to your life.  People passing by couldn't resist his charm, leading to random chats and interactions. You couldn’t take him out without having at least one passing conversation with a stranger. These small and pleasant encounters brightened each day, and slowly, as I grew into a more confident dog owner, they became something I looked forward to. 

While many dog lovers are convinced that their canine companion improves their well-being, I was curious to discover if animal experts agree and whether there’s any scientific evidence to support it. I spoke to a practicing vet and expert for Perfect Pet Insurance, Emma Chandley, who told me that dogs have a unique understanding of humans, making them great therapeutic pets. 

“Humans have domesticated dogs for years,” said Emma. “Over this time, they have evolved to become receptive to human emotions and behavior. Dogs are human body language experts. They can interpret our actions, gestures, and tone of voice and act accordingly.”

“Strong, healthy bonds with animals and other humans are vital for good mental health. A human without good connections will be isolated, lonely, and potentially depressed. The world gets bigger and less isolated when you have a dog. The social recognition our dogs offer us, and the fact that they identify us as someone important that plays a significant role in their life means that we hold ourselves in higher standing, too.”

So not only does a dog act as a conversation starter, but they also boost our self-esteem!

The research backs this up. According to an article published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, dogs have helped their owners break free from their cozy little pandemic bubbles. Having a furry friend encourages people to be more social, reduces loneliness, and boosts companionship. Dogs are like social magnets, making neighborhoods friendlier and sparking more interactions with neighbors. So, it's not just my personal experience - science says that dogs really do bring people together and make life more social.

Having a dog can open up your world, literally

I also discovered the joy of visiting dog-friendly places in my home city. Pubs, cafes and dog-friendly shops offered doggy treats, staff lingered to have a pet or a scratch, and fellow dog lovers exchanged stories, training tips, and recommendations for other dog-friendly places and spaces. 

In a local park, I met a woman who lived right around the corner and has now become a friend and regular dog-walking companion. Instead of passing them by on the street with just a wave or a nod, I stopped to chat with my neighbors. I discovered beautiful green spaces across my city and beyond that I’d never heard of, passed on to me by dog lovers. Now I’m passing on those tips to other newbie pet parents!

An increased sense of well-being, balance and empathy

Throughout our adventures together, Hopper’s unconditional love, innocence and joy of living in the moment have reduced my anxiety and taken me out of my own head. His calm nature and willingness to stop and have a fuss from anyone walking by has shown me that it’s so simple to pause and connect. This simple act can brighten your entire day. 

My journey with Hopper, from a novice dog owner to his best human friend, has taught me how to connect with and respond kindly to others. I can’t express how grateful I am to him and my sister for letting this happen. 

Annie is a 'super senior' that was surrendered to Dallas Animal Services back in June, who melted the heart of her foster owner, Lauren Siler. 

"They claimed that she was no longer eating and could not walk," says Lauren, on her Instagram page dallasanimalfoster. "That could not be further from the truth. We see this all the time in rescue. People dropping off dogs at the shelter and making false statements to avoid being judged," she says. 

It is heartbreaking to see a family dog surrendered in her twilight years, but unfortunately a common occurrence, with rescues often taking in dogs aged fifteen and over when owners no longer want to deal with their care. Elderly dogs often have special and sometimes expensive health requirements that people cannot or are not willing to cover any more. Thankfully, Annie's story has a happy ending.

Lauren and her roommate Lisa Flores (@lisaflores_85) took Annie home and put together a 'bucket list' of things for her to experience in her retirement. The lucky pooch has been on a road trip, ridden in a wagon, painted a picture, celebrated Christmas in July and had a relaxing spa day, among other things. Their other elderly foster, Tippy, also has a bucket list that his is filling out.

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Annie is one of many dogs taken in by Dallas Animal services every year, with an Instagram post by Lauren explaining that people often underestimate what a commitment owning a dog is. 

"There are too many backyard breeders thinking they can make a quick buck off of a litter of puppies, too many people getting a dog that haven’t taken into consideration the 10 to 15 year (in Annie’s case 20 year) commitment that comes along with it, and the irresponsible dog owners that just wash their hands of their animals when they become an inconvenience," she says. "The shelter is filled with seniors dogs that are alone, confused, and in pain." 

Thankfully, kind people like Lauren and Lisa exist to make sure these lovely dogs spend their last years living the best life they can. Lauren refers to their home as the "L&L Pet Resort and Retirement Home" and we agree - these pooches are pampered and loved exactly as they deserve. 

"We were told she would likely be with us for a month and here we still are. Ever since then we have been trying to accomplish just that…. Spoil these old dogs silly," explains Lauren. 

"Annie is doing great, tells us when it’s meal time, loves “playing” with the cats, sitting in the sun, and smelly cod fish snacks. While no one knows how much more she has in her… we will keep helping make adventures happen, give her extra treats, make sure she doesn’t miss a meal, and reminder her how much she has inspired so many… until she tells us it’s her time to."

• 10 surprising Rottweiler facts 

Annie is thought to be a black lab, although her face is mostly white now, and despite being given a month to live she has been enjoying her time with Lauren and Lisa for more than four months now, which just shows a little love and care can go a long way for an old dog.

Dog fighting is a horrific form of animal abuse that sees many dogs severely injured and killed, and sadly many of the canines rescued from dog fighting rings are left so traumatized by their experience that they're simply unable to settle into a normal life afterwards.

Fortunately for one such dog there's much more of a happy ending. Scooby, a mixed-breed dog, was rescued by police from a dog fighting ring in California back in 2016, and was subsequently adopted by Chris, an IT consultant from Montana.

• Eight tips for training a rescue dog

Chris describes Scooby as a good dog who needs bit of extra work, and notes that he's extremely fearful except when it's just the two of them together. And that's not at all surprising; when the police raided the fighting ring and rescued the dogs from their kennels, they found the room eerily silent, full of dogs too traumatized to bark.

• How to tackle dog aggression

Scooby spent a year in a shelter after being rescued and was in danger of being put to sleep, as most people don't want a dog that was used for fighting. But Chris clearly isn't most people, and he took it upon himself to bring Scooby home and give him as normal a life as possible.

• 10 dog adoption tips: advice from a vet

And the good news is that Chris's work has – eventually – paid off. While Scooby remained resolutely silent for the first few years of living with Chris, just last year he finally became relaxed and confident enough in his new home to bark.

It wasn't much of a bark at first – more of a squeak – but it was a great start, and Chris has encouraged Scooby to work on his bark by treating it as a game and giving him lots of praise and positive reinforcement (and the best dog treats) whenever Scooby lets out a little bark. And the encouragement's paying off; Scooby will now occasionally do a proper bark, and he's even started wagging his tail too!

While Chris accepts that Scooby's unlikely to ever be what we might think of as a normal dog, the progress that he's made after years of training and encouragement is truly heartwarming. If you want to see more of his progress, you can find him on Chris's TikTok page.

A heartbreaking video of a Great Dane going through a false pregnancy and desperately searching for the puppies she would never birth has had a happy ending after her owner brought home two rescue puppies for her to care for.

In the sweet footage uploaded to TikTok, the dog can be seen lovingly licking the two tiny pups who were found abandoned on the side of the road, before feeding them and quietly going to sleep tucked up beside them. 

Captioned with the words “love doesn’t look at what is on the outside,” the video has already been watched more than 23 million times since it was first posted a few days ago.

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Netizens have flooded the comment section with love after seeing just how gentle and tender the Great Dane is with her two adopted babies with one user writing, “Danes are the best mommas. They’re so aware of their size too when it comes to being around smaller pups too.”

Others have praised the dog's owner for giving her the chance to be a mom, with one animal lover saying “That's the cutest thing I have seen all day man, it's so nice of you to give her a baby instead of letting her suffer from none.”

Phantom pregnancies in dogs are common and occur when a dog goes through hormonal changes when she’s in season that are preparing her body for pregnancy. Some dogs are more sensitive to these changes than others and will show symptoms of pregnancy, even when they’re not carrying puppies.

A phantom pregnancy can be very distressing for dogs, triggering a grieving process as they try to search for the puppies they believe they should have. While not all dogs will take to mothering puppies that aren’t theirs, some, as this Great Dane shows, some will happily step up and lovingly take on the role of mom. 

In another adorable clip, the new mom can be seen once again tending to her tiny Chihuahua pups, grooming them, feeding them, and letting them snuggle up and go to sleep against her stomach.

This most recent video, in which the Great Danes owner jokes that she got the puppies on eBay, has also triggered an outpouring of love, with one netizen writing “I didn't know dogs still produced milk without having an actual offspring. This is so cool,” with another saying “these little puppies and mummy were meant to find one another.”

Read more at the Dear Danes website and Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/deardanes/
https://www.hellodanes.com/

A rescue pup named Nairobi has gone viral for refusing to eat her plain kibble without "special toppings," redefining the notion of a picky eater. 

TikTok user Chelsea aka heyymrsscarterr posted the video of the rescue pup sitting forlornly in front of her food bowl full of kibble.

"Eat your food!" Chelsea is heard saying through laughter. Nairobi simply looks back, staring into the camera like she's being deprived of daily meals. 

"Eat it, spoiled dog, eat the kibble," Chelsea says. Just before the TikTok ends you can hear Nairobi let out a frustrated growl.

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Chelsea commented on the video, writing "Don’t worry everyone she got her toppings, she always does lol" and "We are going away for the week so we were seeing if she would eat just her kibble for my friend that is watching her… it is very clear she will not."

According to the caption, Nairobi's dad puts "special toppings" on her typical doggy dry food, though it's not clear what that could be. 

Some good, safe options for dogs are dog-safe peanut butter, coconut oil, or some wet dog food. It's unclear how she became accustomed to eating like this, but now the learned behavior has clearly become a funny little puppy quirk. 

Nairobi is a mixed-breed rescue. According to her mom, an Embark pet DNA test says she is an Australian Shepherd, Boxer, Pit Bull, and Miniature Schnauzer mix. 

A heartwarming video of two rescue dogs being reunited has been doing the rounds on Tik Tok and pulling at our heart strings. User mei_the_puppy shared the touching video of her Romanian rescue, Mei, reuniting with her canine sister a week ago and has since shared more videos of the two dogs enjoying their new life together in their forever home. 

After being separated for weeks, Mei's owner finally managed to get her littermate, Luna, transported from Romania as well and shares the moment they see each other again with the world on TikTok. 17.5 thousand likes and over 250 comments agree: it's a  beautiful sight. 

People watching the video commended the owner for bringing the two back together in their new home in Sweden. "Bless u for bringing them together again," says user Josse.Yoda. "Thank you for making two precious souls happy and safe," agrees another user, MadzTale. 

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The video starts with Mei watching, ears pricked as another dog is led into her space, and then we see Mei straining at her lead as she sees her sister "for the first time in weeks". The sisters have similar coat and facial markings, although Luna is a slightly redder shade than Mei, who is more yellow. 

After a couple of moments of nervous tail wagging you can see the recognition as Luna sniffs her sister's face as if to say "hello, it's me!". 

• 10 surprising Rottweiler facts 

A later TikTok video shared by their owner (above) shows Luna and Mei playing happily together in a field of autumn leaves, walking side by side on leash and snuggling together on the sofa. They truly seem happy to be reunited, with one commenter, Gillian Murphy, observing "this is the perfect happy ending," which it really does seem to be. 

Meet Willow, a rescued Pit Bull who thinks she's a cat! Rescued in January 2020 at about nine weeks old by Socorro Jaramillo, who already had two cats and a chihuahua, her owner quickly noticed how much Willow wanted to copy everything Percy, her younger cat, did. 

While the adorable Pitty is often seen across her social media profiles snuggling up beside the cats and even partaking in a spot of kitten-sitting, there's nothing Willow loves more than climbing up the cat tree to join her feline siblings- even though she's most definitely a lot bigger! 

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Even though Jaramillo was wary at first, and had to help Willow get down from such great heights, Willow's cat-like behavior has become a core part of her personality - and daily exercise routine. 

Now, Willow jumps up on the windowsills and cat trees with ease so that she can get a bird's eye view just like her two cat siblings.

Willow's feline escapades have gotten her a ton of attention on TikTok, as well. Her account has over 2.2m likes and well over 20,000 followers. 

Willow became social media famous after a TikTok of her went viral this past summer (as of the time of publication, it's got over 2.1 million likes). "You're a 60lb pitbull raised by two cats and a chihuahua," the caption reads. 

The video shows Willow perching on the windowsill, on the back of the couch, and on the cat tree, seemingly oblivious to how big she is in comparison to her siblings.

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Willow is a great example of how much joy a rescue dog can bring to your home - and how great Pit Bulls are as pets.

"I consider her to be a giant baby," Jaramillo said. "She follows us everywhere we go in the house and almost always has to be laying on us. She loves humans with her entire being and has a constant wiggle butt whenever she meets a new person."

You can follow Willow's escapades on TikTok and Instagram.

A 6ft Mastiff dog has finally found his forever home after years living in rescue centers due to his massive size.

Basher weighs in at a humongous 60kg and is 6ft tall when standing on his hind legs. Originally rescued as a small stray in 2020, the now two-year-old pup quickly grew to his impressive size. 

It was for this reason that Basher had spent years living in rescue centers, as he struggled to find a loving owner and home.

Not only did the 6ft Mastiff need a loving environment, but also strong and capable pet parents that could manage his 60kg weight. 

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In fact, the RSPCA Cornwall Kennels in the UK went to great lengths to prepare an outside kennel/annex that would be best for Basher in a new home.

That way, his new adopters can do ‘steady and gradual introductions to a home and family environment’.

The pooch had previously been adopted last November, however, this was short-lived as the owners had struggled with his gigantic size. 

Despite his size though, he has been described as "one of the most handsome, loving dogs there is" who "can get a bit excited when he sees birds" and "loves a good cuddle and a good fuss".

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However, Basher’s luck all changed in September 2022, when a loving owner visited the centre and decided to adopt him. 

The RSPCA Cornwall kennels tweeted, “We said the fondest of farewells to our big boy Basher recently as he's set off for his new home. We're so grateful to Basher's owner for taking him on, we know you'll be so happy together."

His forever home now has seven acres to play in and he has "lots of dog friends". We’re glad that Basher finally has his ‘happily ever after’ ending he deserves.

To celebrate National Dog Week, popular dating app Tinder has added a Rescue Matches feature that will help you find your next canine companion. 

The Rescue Match campaign is running all through National Dog Week in the US (until September 24), however users can use the filter until October 20. 

Members of the app can view and like Rescue Match profile cards in their typical Tinder card stack, or visit rescuematches.com. 

Once you've selected an adoptable dog and uploaded a photo of yourself, the filter then displays an adoptable dog's image, location, and adoption details. You can also swipe away, and help potential love matches find their perfect dog match, as well. 

Not to mention, users who add a shelter dog to their Tinder profile are likely to get more matches with fellow dog lovers. 

According to a 2021 survey commissioned by dog company Honest Paws, 60% of respondents are more tempted to swipe right on someone that has a dog in their profile photo.

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"This National Dog Week, Tinder is better able to help people find love AND help dogs in need find new homes - both looking for their perfect match," said Melissa Hobley, Tinder CMO in an official statement on the Tinder Newsroom page. 

"Being able to express your common interests is so important for sparking new connections, so we wanted to bring our members even more fun ways to find someone new, whether that be a new dog park pal or a stepparent for their furry friend."

Tinder has partnered directly with five shelters to spread the word about their adoptable dogs. Here are the shelters taking part in Rescue Matches:

• Wags & Walks (Los Angeles)
• 4 Paws Kiddo Rescue (Los Angeles)
• Anti-Cruelty Society (Chicago)
• Animal Care Centers of NYC (New York)

So if you're looking to help adoptable dogs find homes, it's time to open up Tinder (or redownload it) and get to swiping for a good cause. 

The unbreakable bond between humans and their dogs is something animal-lovers will be all too familiar with. But one faithful pet in Texas took this loyalty to new heights when he refused to leave his 84-year-old owner’s side when she went missing.

After two days of search efforts, Pearl Radcliff was found unconscious on a sidewalk in Houston with her stoic dog Maximus standing watch over her. What makes this story even more incredible is that he had only been adopted nine days before. 

Police in Houston, Texas, issued a Silver Alert as they tried to track down the missing Ms Radcliff. She had recently been suffering from memory loss, and was last seen leaving her home to take her newly-adopted dog for a walk, Houston news station Khou 11 reported. 

After two days, a Facebook post from the Texas Center for the Missing confirmed Ms Radcliff had been found safe. And she wasn’t alone. Her dog Maximus, who she had adopted just a week before she went missing, was found sitting next to her.

Khou 11 reporter Janelle Bludau tweeted a video showing Ms Radcliff’s nephew, Dawne, receiving a call from the Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. After her worried relative had spent 48 hours scouring the area to try and find her, a hospital doctor was able to confirm to a relieved Dawn that she had been found, unconscious but safe. 

• Stray Pit Bull protects lost toddler wandering the streets of St Louis

“We found her lying on the sidewalk on Beechnut (Street) with her dog,” the doctor can be heard saying over the phone. “Animal control has the dog, she’s here in the ER (emergency room).”

The next day, Bludau posted a heart-warming photo of Ms Radcliff being reunited with her devoted dog Maximus and nephew Dawne. 

She also revealed that the 84-year-old had adopted him just nine days earlier, and while she didn’t remember much of what had happened in the period she was missing, she remembered how he refused to leave her side throughout. 

“The family is picking him up from (the) animal control tomorrow,” the reporter tweeted, “And they’re never letting him go!”

A series of videos documenting a dog being rescued from Chinese meat trade conditions have gone viral after they were posted on social media.

Tiana Calderon posted a number of videos on her TikTok channel showing the journey of her new pet and highlighting the emotional cause.

The first video is captioned, ‘POV: you adopted a dog from the Chinese meat trade’, and shows her waiting outside to pick up her new companion, who like the other dogs, have been rescued from a slaughter house in Wuhan, according to Calderon. 

• Yulin Dog Meat Festival rescue organization saves hundreds of dogs from slaughter

Next up, we see her getting acquainted with her dog – now named Lucy – who while unsurprisingly being very clingy and nervous, eventually comes out of her shell. This is evidenced by her playing with Tiana’s other dog.

Finally, the third video has her responding to someone disputing that Lucy came from the meat trade, owing to her looking to be in reasonably presentable condition. 

Tiana points out that thanks to charitable donations, and due to urgent need, she was groomed and given vital care from vets before traveling out to meet her new parents.

• Meet Kaipo the blind Malinois, rescued from Mexico and living his best life in Seattle

Slightly pedantic naysayer aside, this looks to be a classic case of a negative being turned into a massive positive with many TikTokers becoming emotional at the sight of the sweet rescue.

"This made me cry. Wish they could all have a loving home," Liv wrote. "My pup is a rescue from Romania and it kills me thinking of all the other dogs."

"ALL animals deserve life and love. Every single species. Thank you for giving them a new lease of life," user @glampiires commented. 

People like Tiana are doing these dogs a valuable service, rescuing them from a horrible fate and giving them the loving forever home that they so richly deserve.

Thanks to the example she has set, we wouldn’t be surprised if many more follow her example. Combined, these three videos have reached well over 3.5 million likes, so that’s a lot of awareness being spread.

Tiana was able to adopt Lucy thanks to China Rescue Dogs, who according to their Facebook page, are a non-profit organization who helps families adopt dogs from China at the 11th hour. 

You can read more about them on their website. 

International Dog Day is here once again and what better way to celebrate than to welcome a new fur friend into your home? With thousands of pups living in shelters across the country desperately awaiting the arrival of their forever family, if you've been thinking of getting a canine companion, now could well be a great time to take the leap. 

And, as it turns out, the rich and famous love rescue dogs just as much as we do so we thought we'd share some heartwarming stories and photos with you that show that while expensive purebred, “designer” pups can certainly be adorable, the heart of a rescue dog is hard to beat.

If you're not currently in the financial position to consider adding a fur friend to your family or you simply don't have the space, don't worry, there are plenty of other ways that you can get involved in International Dog Day, from helping out at a shelter to spreading the word on social media.

But, before you do that, let's take a closer look at some of the world's most famous celebrities and the rescue pups that have become their forever friends.... 

• How to adopt a dog
• Eight tips for training a rescue dog: A vet's guide
• Rescue for senior dogs: Advice on adopting an older dog

Kristen Bell and Whiskey

In early 2021, Kristen Bell revealed the family’s newest furry rescue, two-year-old Whiskey, on her Instagram page. In her post, Kristen described how their new addition had an unfortunate run-in with a truck before they adopted him, which resulted in the loss of one of his back legs. Not that it’s stopped him! Three-legged Whiskey now enjoys life with the family – mostly snuggled up on their laps – as well as playing with his brother, four-year-old Frank, the family’s other rescue dog.

Kristen is a lifelong champion of fostering and adopting dogs, having given both temporary and forever homes to numerous canines over the years. “I adore dogs. I think they’re nature’s antidepressants… I gravitate towards dogs so much, I think because they’re nonverbal, and sometimes I feel I can’t always find the words,” she told USA Today. 

John Hamm and Splash

California-based non-profit animal rescue organisation, I Stand With My Pack, were delighted to announce in 2020 that Mad Men actor, Jon Hamm, had adopted one of their puppies, named Splash. Before finding his forever home, this adorable pooch had been returned to the shelter twice because of his bouncy puppy energy, so it was definitely a case of third time lucky for Splash!

This isn’t the first rescue dog that Jon has adopted. Back in 2015, he spoke to People.com about his rescue dog, German shepherd mix Cora (who sadly passed in 2017), and how she had had a huge positive effect on his life.

“Pets can bring to us a sense of love and pride and all of those wonderful things,” he explained during his acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards in 2015.  

Selena Gomez and Daisy

When the coronavirus pandemic first began, a growing number of celebrities decided to offer up their homes to foster rescue dogs. Having had rescue canines in the past, Selena Gomez jumped at the chance and fostered curly-haired pup, Daisy. Although things didn’t stay that way for long with Selena admitting on social media that she was a foster failure: “I couldn’t help it… I have to keep her.”

Daisy now lives happily with Selena and her other dog, Winnie, in their California home. During her Instagram Live announcement last year, Selena said that “I know a few friends who are fostering right now just to give animals a safe place.”

Liev Schreiber and Scout

In July 2020, Liev Schreiber revealed a picture of his new furry companion, named Scout, on Instagram. Liev thanked Tobie’s Small Dog Rescue, a non-profit organisation based in Los Angeles, California, in his post for connecting him with this loveable canine.

Liev has a long history of adopting rescue dogs. In 2017, he adopted a brother-and-sister duo, called Woody and Willow, who had become displaced as a result of Hurricane Harvey. Sadly, a few weeks prior to adopting Scout, Woody passed away after being involved in a car accident. “He was an amazing friend, teacher, and companion… Those of you who have a friend like Woody will know what I mean. Hold them close,” Liev told his Instagram followers.

Oprah Winfrey and Sadie

During her lifetime, Oprah Winfrey has given a forever home to more than 20 dogs, many of which have been rescues. She adopted her cocker spaniel, Sadie, in 2009 from a no-kill animal shelter called PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) in Chicago. That same year, Oprah adopted a pair of 14-week-old springer spaniels from the same shelter, called Lauren and Sunny.

Nothing makes me happier than being with my dogs,” Oprah once said. “Over the years I have felt the truest purest love – the love of God, really, I imagine that’s what God’s love feels like – is the love that comes from your dog.”

Adopting a dog

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, rescue shelters across the country have been inundated with animals these past two years who are in need of a new home (due to their previous owners passing away or losing their job, meaning that they can no longer afford to care for them). 

“The companionship of pets has been shown to reduce stress and lower anxiety, helping people to feel calmer and more secure when the news from the outside world is distressing”, explained Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. 

So, if you’re looking to add a furry friend to the family, consider visiting your local animal shelter. 

A Pit Bull abandoned under a bridge and left to fend for himself has found his place in the world after a special needs family with two young children welcomed him into their home and their hearts.

Emily Green was adamant that they would not be keeping the Pit Bull puppy that her husband found, but after seeing how quickly the dog bonded with their toddler twins, she quickly changed her mind.

In a viral video uploaded to TikTok that has gone onto amass over 16 million views, little Alexa can be seen cuddling into Ollie’s side, a moment that only gets sweeter when the pup lifts his paw and pulls her into a cuddle. 

• Dad defends decision to let Pit Bulls cuddle his son after online criticism

While Ollie has fallen head over paws in love with both Luca and Alexa (and the feeling is mutual), it’s Luca that he shares the deepest and most special connection with, refusing to leave his side.

Born with Down Syndrome, Green has done the most beautiful job through her TikTok account of highlighting the pure joy that Luca has brought into their lives and is helping to reduce the stigma that is so often associated with having a child with special needs.

Since the arrival of Ollie into their family last month, her account has really taken off, with millions of people around the world captivated by the love that these two share.

• Watch: Adorable Pit Bull singing Happy Birthday is busting breed stereotypes

“When someone finds out our son has Down Syndrome, they say ‘I’m sorry’. When someone sees us walking our pitty, they cross the street,” she explains in a clip that shows Ollie snuggled up to Luca. “I’m sorry they never get to experience this type of unconditional love.”

Calling him her son's protector, Green says that Ollie sticks to Luca like glue, wanting to be by his side 24/7. And while many people have been quick to criticize the videos, labeling Green as irresponsible for letting a ‘dangerous dog’ near her toddler, nothing could be further from the truth.

Many Pit Bull fans and owners have been quick to share their support, with one commenting “People talk so badly about Pit Bulls. It’s not the breed,” with another adding “They have so much love to give.”

One thing is for sure, after watching all of Green’s videos, it’s clear that this Pit Bull nanny with nothing but love in his heart won’t be giving up his job as guardian and protector of Alexa and Luca any time soon.

A dog trapped in a hot car on a sweltering summer’s day in New York City has found a forever home with the NYPD officer who rescued him after enduring a month-long recovery.

The gorgeous American Eskimo pup, who has now been named Snow, was spotted by several concerned New Yorkers in a locked car with the windows closed back in June.

After receiving several calls, officers went out to investigate and later shared footage of Snow’s rescue, which included the breaking of the front passenger window to free him followed by treats and lots of water.

"Hot car, hot dog rescue — thanks to caring NYers who saw this pup locked in a car for over 2 hours & called 911! Our cops responded discovering the car off, windows shut & distressed dog," the precinct wrote with the clip on Twitter. "They broke the window, got pup out & off to a vet for care. Criminal investigation continues."

• Bernese Mountain Dog dies after being left in hot car during heatwave
• Skyrocketing rents force families to choose between their homes and their pets

While it was originally believed that Snow had been in the car for around two hours, the ASPCA who took him in and nursed her back to health says it was likely closer to 24 hours.

Temperatures that day were reported to be in the mid-80s with the precinct stating that in that kind of weather it only takes around 10 minutes for a locked car to reach a deadly 102 degrees inside. 

One of the officers that rescued Snow, Aruna Maharaj, stayed in touch with the ASPCA during Snow’s treatment and recovery and in a heartwarming moment late last month, she decided to adopt him and give him the life he deserves.

"A month ago, this sweet doggo was rescued after his owner left him in his hot locked car for hours; yesterday, one of its rescuers, Officer Maharaj, adopted him!" the precinct tweeted. "Thank you @ASPCA for taking such good care of this lucky pup!"

While Maharaj wasn’t looking to adopt a pet, the ASPCA describes what happened between the pair during the rescue as love at first sight.

"She immediately brought him into her car with the air conditioner blasting, where he sat on her lap, licked her face and wouldn’t move from her company," an ASPCA spokesperson said.

The ASPCA say Snow has quickly settled into his new home, where he’s getting used to having a big backyard to play in, a local park to walk to and a cat for a sibling. 

Kaipo the Belgian Malinois had absolutely the worst start in life, but his heartbreaking story is one with the most adorably happy ending.

For the first two years of his life, Kaiko had a miserable existence in Tijuana, Mexico: blind, starved, dehydrated and severely abused by his owners, he spent his entire time chained to a pole on a four foot leash. 

His plight was noticed by neighbors and reported to Ho’ola Dog Rescue in Los Angeles, which saves dogs from the streets of Mexico and brings them back to the USA for a better life, and Kaipo was rescued and taken to a safe house in Mexico, before being delivered to safety in LA.

• Blind and deaf Opal the dog jumps for joy when she senses her dad arriving home

It's believed that Kaipo was chained up for being aggressive, and it seems likely that his original owners weren't experienced enough to cope with the demands of owning a Malinois. 

The Belgian Malinois is a working dog that'll bond hard with its owner, but it needs plenty of activity and exercise and, if it doesn't get it, it can become a problem pet.

Once spirited away to safety, however, Kaipo transformed into the most loving and affectionate dog; he soon became socialized and over six months he quickly gained over 25 lbs, and it wasn't long until a family in Seattle read about him and drove all the way to Los Angeles to bring him back to his new forever home.

• German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois: Which dog is right for you?

Kaiko's new owner describes him on Reddit as a very sweet boy, but it's not all plain sailing; he understandably has serious trust issues and PTSD, but his new family is working hard with him and looking for a trainer who help with rehabilitation and obedience training.

And thankfully Kaiko's new owners understand all about a Mal's needs, and plan to ensure that he gets all the mental stimulation, exercise and working experience that'll make him happy.

It's still early days for Kaiko but he's settling into his new life wonderfully, and has a new best friend in his owners' other dog, Azula:

• Three phases of a rescue dog: How to help them adjust

He also gets on brilliantly with his new owners' kids, and loves the best dog treats and hugs, although he does have tendency to tread in his own poop. But that's a small price to pay for giving such a brave dog a whole new start in life. 

You can keep up with Kaiko's story on Instagram and TikTok, and you can also find Ho’ola Dog Rescue on Instagram and maybe give them a bit of support for their sterling work.

The coolest puppy adoption party in Colorado is back again this Saturday 23 July – and it’s a party with a difference. The craft-beer-and-canine-themed event is being hosted by the Outer Range Brewing Co. in Frisco, Colorado, and aims to match rescue pups with potential owners – all over a beer for both humans and dogs. 

Hopeful pups from the Summit County Animal Shelter will be visiting to meet their would-be adopters at the event, which runs from 4pm to 7pm at 182 Lusher Court, Frisco, CO 80443.

And if you’re worried about party-goers drinking too much beer and accidentally adopting seven dogs, then the Animal Shelter are way ahead of you! 

They don’t offer same-day adoptions, as any applications have to be reviewed in advance to make sure it’s not just the beer talking. The dogs will be there to help spread awareness as well as raise funds for the shelter. 

• Cocktails for dogs: Try this DIY duo for you and your pooch at home

Only dogs who are not currently in line for adoption will attend the event, and the shelter will be careful to pick canine candidates who they feel can handle the crowds.

As well as beer, the brewery will also have limited-edition leashes and collars on sale. Outer Range’s onsite eatery, Bird Craft, have rustled up a batch of tasty dog treats made from spent grain used in the brewery. 

Profits from treats will be donated to the shelter. Bird Craft have also got the humans covered with pulled-pork sandwiches out on the patio.

Outer Range owners are dog owners themselves and will be launching Blue Boy Pils at the event, named after their own wirehaired griffon.

The puppy party is aimed at all dogs, not just rescues, and we’re relieved to hear that canine guests will be able to crack open a cold one too – although they might need a little help actually getting it open! 

Good Boy Dog Beer, a third-party brew from Houston, Texas made especially for dogs, will also be on offer. The non-alcoholic, non-carbonated brew comes in several flavors including Crotch Sniffin’ Ale, Good Girl Dog Beer, IPA Lot in the Yard and Mailman Malt Licker.

Participants for the 32nd Annual K94K fundraising walk, due to take place on Saturday July 30, can pick up an entry pack at the puppy party as well. The walk aims to raise funds to provide medical care and spay/neuter vouchers for pets.

So if you’re in the neighborhood on Saturday, July 23, why not stop off for a quick paws for refreshment in a great cause – who knows, you could even meet your fur-ever friend?

For more information visit the Outer Range website or Facebook page. 

Three-legged dogs are not uncommon. Pets can end up with three legs for many different reasons, and sometimes we may not know the original reason why rescue cats and dogs have lost a limb. 

Three-legged pets are still wonderful companions and can have a great quality of life – but they do need a little extra time and care when compared to other pets. 

So, if you are facing a pet’s amputation, or considering adopting a dog or cat with three legs, here’s what you need to know!

• Joint pain in dogs: How to help with arthritis and other disorders
• How often should I walk my dog? 

Can three-legged pets walk? 

Yes! Almost all pets with three legs will be able to move around well after an amputation, as long as their other three legs are still healthy. For example, they should be able to: 

• Get up by themselves 
• Walk or even run around 
• Go to the toilet by themselves 
• Get up and down steps 
• Play with toys 

Some three-legged cats and dogs will be able to run around more or less as normal, especially if they are young, lean, and fit.  

How long will it take my pet to adjust to 3 legs? 

It will take some time for your cat or dog to adjust to moving around on three legs, so don’t be discouraged if they are not running around right away. 

First, they will have to recover from the surgery itself, which may take several weeks, especially if they are older or were unwell for another reason. Their body needs to get rid of the anaesthetic drugs, and their skin and muscle need to heal from the surgery. They should also be on painkillers immediately after the surgery, which may make them drowsy or wobbly, meaning they look less steady than they are. 

Then, they will need to build up some muscle to adjust to holding their body in a different way. This is more challenging if your cat or dog has lost a front leg, as more of the body’s weight goes through the front legs than the back legs. 

It can take several weeks or even months to build this muscle up, especially if your pet is older or overweight. However, you should be able to see a slow but steady improvement over this time. 

What is the life expectancy of a three-legged pet? 

If a dog or cat has a leg amputated because of injury, then their life expectancy should be relatively normal. However, you will need to be sure to monitor and treat them for any arthritis in their other three limbs, as this can be more severe and even end up requiring euthanasia.

Sometimes a dog or cat will have a limb amputated for another medical reason, such as a tumour. In that case, their life expectancy will depend on what sort of tumour they had. If you are in this situation, you should speak to your veterinarian about your pet’s prognosis before the surgery.  

What to expect if your pet needs an amputation 

Amputation surgery is quite a common procedure for veterinarians. Your regular veterinarian may be able to perform it at your local clinic, or you may need to be referred to a specialist for this.

After the surgery, your pet will need strong painkillers for the next few days. They may need to stay in the clinic to receive these, or you may be able to administer them at home – ask your local veterinarian in advance so you are prepared.

Your pet will have a surgical wound that you will need to take care of after the surgery. These wounds are usually around the width of the shoulder in a forelimb, or around the length of a pelvis in the hindlimb. 

These are often covered by a dressing initially, which you may need to change at home. After it is uncovered, you will need to monitor it for any signs of redness, swelling or discharge that might suggest infection. 

It will take your pet some time to adjust to having three legs (see earlier) and initially they will need to rest at home. After a while, you can start taking them out on short walks to get them used to moving around – speak to your veterinarian to find out when the right time for this is for your dog. 

What to expect when adopting a three-legged pet 

Three-legged cats and dogs are much the same as other pets in many respects, but they may need a little extra help and support. For example, they might find stairs more difficult than other pets, so you should make sure they have everything they need on one level of your home. 

You should be aware that three-legged pets will be more prone to develop arthritis in their remaining limbs, due to the extra weight that they are taking. You should be sure to keep three-legged dogs and cats at a healthy weight, as obesity can make arthritis worse. 

Regular exercise is important, and some pets may benefit from hydrotherapy, too. There are also some supplements that may help with arthritis in pets – ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. 

Some of the questions to ask before adopting a three-legged pet might include:

•  Why was the pet’s leg amputated? 
•  If it was amputated due to trauma, do they have any other injuries that you need to be aware of? 
•  If it was not amputated due to trauma, what was the reason for the surgery? Is it likely to cause any long-term issues (e.g. cancer such as sarcoma or osteosarcoma that might spread to other parts of the body) 
• How mobile is the pet? Can they cope with steps or stairs? 
• Does the pet have any existing signs of arthritis that might need treatment? If so, what are the expected costs of this treatment? 

How to prepare your home for a three-legged pet 

There are a few changes that you may want to make at home if your pet is having an amputation, or if you are adopting a three-legged pet.  

 These include: 

• Providing food, water, and bedding on the same level, so your pet does not have to go up and down steps.
•  Using a ramp to help them get in or out of the car, or up any steps between your home and your yard. 
•  Offering them deep bedding that is comfortable to lie in, but not too soft to cause difficulties getting out of. Memory foam mattresses are ideal for this. 

How to provide long-term care for a three-legged pet  

Long-term, there are some things that you can do to help your tripawd stay as comfortable as possible:  

•  Keep your pet at a slim (but healthy) weight, to minimise the strain on their joints. 
•  Exercise them regularly, but gently, to help maintain muscle mass. 
•  Consider hydrotherapy or physiotherapy with a qualified professional to keep their joints comfortable and mobile.  
•  Learn to spot the early signs of arthritis and see your veterinarian regularly for check-ups to help with this. 
•  Treat any arthritis early to keep them as active as possible as they get older.   

Summary

Caring for a three-legged dog or cat can take a little extra time and energy, and you need to be prepared for them to develop some arthritis as they get older. However, with the right care, tripawds can live long, happy lives, and are just as loving and affectionate as other pets.  

In a heartwarming start to the week, a deaf dog has finally found a happy home with a hearing impaired owner after his former parents surrendered him to a shelter because they couldn’t take care of him.

Champ, a 14-month Labahoula, was brought into the Humane Society of Tampa Bay where he was put up for adoption by his family who struggled to cope with his hearing loss. 

Also living in Tampa Bay was Davelis Goutoufas, who just happened to decide to pop into the shelter to check out what dogs were currently looking for homes. There he met Champ who he fell instantly in love with - and the feeling was mutual.

"As I went into his cage, he was super friendly to me. I pet him and then as I was walking out, he was going forward to me and barked softly, like he was trying to communicate to me, ‘please pick me’, Goutoufas explained.

 "I turned around then walked back to his cage and pet him again. He was excited. Then I was walking out again he went forward again and barked softly."

• Watch: Adorable Pit Bull singing Happy Birthday is busting breed stereotypes
• Watch: Roland the farting dog goes viral with his enormous flatulence

It wasn’t just the fact that Champ was a Labahoula that won Goutoufas’ heart (he had chosen Labradors for pets since he left college) but more so that he was deaf as he too suffers from hearing loss. 

Goutoufas immediately decided to adopt Champ and first on the agenda? Changing his name. Because Goutoufas is Greek, he felt it only fitting that his new dog also had a Greek name and so Champ became Apollo.

A former adjunct professor in American Sign Language, Goutoufas has been teaching Apollo ASL and says he already knows plenty of commands. The loving pup has been welcomed into his new family with open arms and spends his days swimming, boating and playing with friends. 

You’ve got to love a happy ending and it looks like the well-deserving Apollo has been gifted just that. 

Netflix star and celebrated K-9 Ruby the rescue dog has sadly died after a short illness it has been revealed. The courageous pup had to be euthanized on May 13 following what has been described by the Rhode Island State Police as a “sudden, acute, and untreatable illness.”

Having lived the ultimate hero's journey, Ruby’s earlier days were marred with struggle after she was surrendered to the Rhode Island SPCA by her family at just four months of age after she was deemed unmanageable.

From there Ruby bounced between the shelter and multiple temporary homes, all of who returned her to the shelter stating that she was too much hard work. But even though the Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix did have some hard-to-manage behaviors, shelter volunteer Patricia Inman refused to give up on her believing that she would eventually find a forever home.

And that’s exactly what happened. But Ruby didn’t just find a home, she also found a purpose. Adopted by the Rhode Island State Police and overseen by her handler, Corporal Daniel O’Neil, Ruby went on to become a certified trooper with their K-9 unit. 

• New Netflix movie ‘Rescued by Ruby’ is tribute to real-life hero shelter dog
• Should America stop breeding German Shepherds? Overwhelmed animal shelters are saying yes

Serving the citizens of Rhode Island for 11 years, Ruby shot to stardom in 2017 after she located a boy that had been missing for 36 hours. In an astounding twist of fate, O’Neil and Ruby later discovered that the boy was the son of Inman, the shelter volunteer who had advocated for Ruby all those years ago.

Now, just two months after the release of the Netflix film ‘Rescued by Ruby' that shares the pup’s most famous rescue, O’Neil, Inman and the Rhode Island State Police department are in mourning after they were forced to euthanize a dog that had become a national treasure.

"K-9 Ruby dedicated her life to serve the citizens of Rhode Island and make a positive impact on every person she ever interacted with," Col. Darnell Weaver, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, said in a press release. 

"She became a symbol of hope for all shelter dogs, showing the world what a shelter dog can do when just given love and the chance to shine." 

Weaver went on to say that Ruby “had a full, happy, and wonderful life, not only as a trooper but as part of a loving family. She worked right until the end and never gave up doing what she loved most — making people smile," 

While Ruby may be physically gone, her spirit lives on, no more so than in the film that bears her name. 

“We like to imagine that a scrappy rescue dog named Ruby, saved in the 11th hour by Trooper Dan and a Godwink, has now arrived at her heavenly destination and heard these words: 'Good dog, my faithful servant’,” SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt, the executive producers of Rescued by Ruby shared in their own statement upon hearing news of her death. 

One thing is clear - it’s unlikely that any of us will ever forget this heroic dog who taught us that from the struggle to fit in and the pain of being unwanted can come a powerful story of love, courage and redemption. Rest in peace Ruby. 

One of our favorite annual events, National Rescue Dog Day is all about raising awareness for the thousands of amazing dogs in rescue shelters across the country who are in desperate need of a loving home.

Some of the most remarkable dogs to walk the earth, rescue dogs have had to overcome a lot of obstacles and because of that, they tend to have incredibly high levels of resilience. 

With the proper love, care and training, rescue dogs can make phenomenal pets, but that's not the only role they excel at. Many of these canine companions also go on to become emotional support dogs, helping those experiencing anxiety, depression and PTSD. 

We can't think of a better event than one that seeks to shine a light on all the beautiful dogs living in shelters who are excitedly waiting to meet their new humans. If you're keen to give one of these pups a 'furever' home or you just want to know how you can get behind this great cause, here's everything you need to know about National Rescue Dog Day.

What is National Rescue Dog Day?

National Rescue Dog Day was founded by Lisa Wiehebrink of Tails That Teach, a non-profit organization that inspires young children to be kind to pets and people.

The day was set up in 2018 and was inspired by Wiehebrink's beloved rescue dog, Cooper, who she rescued from a shelter in 2009 after the pup was found living in a vacant lot. 

“There is something so special about Cooper. He is a gentle giant with a kind soul. His grateful spirit and unconditional love make me believe that he knows he was rescued. It’s for these reasons that I wanted to encourage others to consider adopting a dog from a shelter,” states Lisa. 

Because of his beautiful nature, Cooper became the main character in the Tails That Teach book series that shows children how to be kind and gentle to their pets.

The aim of National Rescue Dog Day is to bring awareness to the countless number of amazing dogs waiting in shelters for their forever home and to recognize all the amazing ways rescue dogs impact human lives. The event also looks to promote humane education for young children, and to encourage spay/neuter. 

What day is National Dog Rescue Day 2022?

National Rescue Dog Day is observed annually on May 20. In 2022, it will fall on Friday, 20 May. 

How can you make a difference on National Rescue Dog Day and beyond?

1. Donate to shelters

There are a few ways you can help a shelter. In addition to financial donations, some shelters have a wish list where you can donate pet supplies such as towels, toys and treats. 

If you'd like to donate to a pet shelter, our friends at Chewy have created Chewy Gives Back, a page that lets you find amazing shelters and other rescue charities in need of donations. 

Simply enter your zip code and you'll be directed to the wish lists of shelters in your local area.

2. Arrange a fundraising event

If you're looking to raise funds for your local shelters, there are a number of fun activities you could do, such as arrange a bake sale, set up a concert or band night, hold a pub quiz or raffle, or set up a themed day at work or school. 

Often, you can also craft items for animals, such as jumpers to keep them warm. Why not start a collection in your community? 

3. Spay / neuter

You can often make the jobs of shelter easier from the comfort of your own home. Ensure your pet is spayed or neutered and look to provide them with collars and a proper ID. Make sure you keep dogs on leashes when off your property.

4. Foster

Foster homes can be lifesavers for pets who can't adapt to shelter life and for those who need a little extra care. 

Without foster homes, many rescue groups simply could not take in as many animals. You can often find information on how to foster an animal by visiting your local charity's website. 

5. Volunteer

If you can't adopt or foster a dog at the moment, why not consider volunteering at your local shelter? This can include dog walking or even cat cuddling. Some skills required you may not have even thought of, such as marketing, social media or even carpentry! 

6. Educate

Teach young children the importance of kindness, unconditional love, and responsible care of all animals. You can visit the Tails That Teach website to discover some great resources to do so, including the book. 

7. Adopt 

If you have room in your life for a new pet, adopting can be so rewarding. There's so many ways you can give a dog a whole new leash of life; including rescuing a dog from abroad and adopting an older dog.

You can search for an available pet by using the Shelter Pet Project, or check your local shelter's website to find your lifelong friend. 

8. Share your own story on social media

If you've rescued a dog from a shelter in the past, now is a great time to share your story on social media. Just remember to use #NationalDogRescueDay so that dog lovers from around the country can meet your pup and read about their life. Who knows, sharing your experience might just inspire someone else to adopt a rescue dog.

Is National Dog Rescue Day the same as National Dog Adoption Day?

National Dog Adoption Day typically takes place in October, and shares a similar theme with National Dog Rescue Day in that it's all about promoting the concept of adopting a dog from a shelter and providing information that both encourages and advises people on how to adopt a dog. 

National Dog Adoption Day is UK-based and organised in conjunction with DogsBlog.com, while National Dog Rescue Day and Tails That Teach is American.

Read next: National Pet Week

A rescue dog stood up at his adoption party on Valentine’s Day has finally found a forever home after spending 225 days living at the Battersea Brands Hatch shelter in Kent, England.

The heartbreaking story of unlucky in love Luke was brought to the world’s attention a month ago when he made headlines for getting stood up at a Valentine's Day-themed party that staff at the shelter threw him in the hopes he’d finally be adopted.

A photo of Luke looking perfectly groomed and sporting a ‘free kisses’ bandana around his neck brought tears to everyone’s eyes when it was revealed that the party boy ended up entertaining not a single guest. 

But, this is one story that has a happy ending. When news of the pup’s bad luck started spreading, Battersea Brands Hatch became inundated with gifts and letters for Luke from people all around the globe who wanted to give him the loving home he deserved. 

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And that’s exactly what Luke has now found, thanks to the Kendrick family who live in Derbyshire. Karl and Jill Kendrick and their two daughters have proven to be the perfect family for Luke, who several weeks after moving in, is thriving.

"How Luke stayed in the care of Battersea for so long is a mystery to me, any new owner would have been lucky to rehome him. Since we've brought him home, he's shown himself to be the perfect dog and has really settled in so quickly — we already love him so much and wouldn't change him for the world," Karl Kendrick said when asked about welcoming Luke into the family.

Michelle Bevan, a center manager at Battersea Brands Hatch says that Luke really captured a special place in people’s hearts. "Over the years, we've seen many of our dogs appear in the news, but we've never seen any of our animals capture as many hearts across the world as Luke did. From receiving love letters, to gifts in the post, it's clear to see that thousands of people fell in love with this very special boy.”

While competition to offer Luke a home became fierce after news spread that he’d been stood up at his adoption party, the Kendricks feel blessed that Battersea Brands Hatch felt that they were the best fit.

"We feel so lucky to be the family who gives Luke his forever home, and he has really made our family unit complete. He'll never spend Valentine's Day alone again," Karl Kendricks says.

This sleeping Pit Bull has every reason to smile – it's his first night in his forever home after finally being adopted.

Laying on his big, comfortable-looking bed, he certainly looks content. “His smile made me melt inside,” his new pet parent said. “I knew I made the right choice!”

The photo was shared on Reddit where it quickly gained more than 31,700 votes and more than 350 comments among followers of the popular Subreddit “rarepuppers”.

first_night_home_after_being_adopted from r/rarepuppers

Some commenters said they were holding back tears while one said Pit Bulls “do a really good job of showing their feelings and showing their happiness.”

The poster later revealed there were actually three Pit Bulls in this particular household and dismissed suggestions that members of the public may not be happy if the dog is taken for walks in public.

“My community of very pro-pitbull,” the pet parent said, “but I live on [a] 100 acre property so we go on long walks on my property and rarely see anyone. My dogs have so much room to run around and explore.”

Pit Bulls do have a fearsome reputation and the breed has been banned in England since 1991 because it is seen as a dangerous dog. 

But, as our 10 pawsome Pit Bull facts point out, they are actually one of the friendliest dog breeds – ranked fourth out of 122 breeds for most affectionate and least aggressive dogs by the American Temperament Society.

Even so, dogs that are often mistaken for Pit Bulls stay in shelters three times longer than other dogs, according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE. There have been attempts to rename the breed with names such as New Yorkie and St Francis Terriers but none have stuck.

We do like a happy ending. ‘Gay dog adopted’ might seem like a strange headline, but it marks a happy conclusion to a rather sad series of events.

As we reported on previously, a dog called Fezco was left at an animal shelter in North Carolina after his owners, having caught him mounting another male dog, decided that he must be gay.

As well as being a classic case of homophobia in action, it’s also nonsense. As we mentioned previously, dogs mounting dogs of the same gender is pretty common, and doesn’t denote sexuality.

In a lot of cases, it can be down to asserting dominance over another dog, or because of a high level of testosterone or just play.

Regardless, this story has had a positive outcome. Stanley County Animal Protective Services, who initially received Fezco, had him taken in by Greater Charlotte SPCA, reported on their Facebook page that an adopter has been found, who themselves are in a same-sex relationship.

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The couple in question, Steve Nichols and his partner John, have been together for more than 30 years. The first thing they did was rename Fezco ‘Oscar’, after the famous writer, Oscar Wilde. 

In an interview with WCCB Charlotte, Nichols said, “It’s just such a silly reason to turn in a dog. We just thought it would make sense for the gay dog to be adopted by a loving gay family.”

Which is a lovely attitude to have. While it’s nice to see this supposedly gay dog adopted by a loving and caring family, it’s a shame that this situation arose in the first place.

Beyond the basic ignorance displayed by the dog’s original owners, there’s a wider discussion to be had if you’re someone who thinks there’s a problem with a dog being ‘gay’.

Regardless, it’s their loss. Oscar has found a new home where we’re sure that he’ll be much happier.

If you’re thinking that ‘dog dumped at shelter for being gay’ is the most ridiculous headline you’ve read so far this week, you’re not alone and yet that’s exactly what’s just happened to gorgeous boy Fezco.

According to WCCB News, staff at an animal shelter in North Carolina took receipt of Fezco after his owners surrendered him because they suspected their canine companion might be gay after they caught him attempting to mount and hump another male dog.

Fezco, who adores other people and animals, is described by shelter staff as an extremely good boy who weighs around 50 lbs and is roughly four to five years old. This wonderful pup is now looking for a foster family who can look after him until a forever home can be found.

What Fezco’s previous owners didn’t seem to understand is that same-sex behavior is very normal and has been observed in around 1,500 different animal species, including dogs. 

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It’s also common for dogs to mount other dogs for reasons other than sexual attraction, including a desire to display power and dominance and as a response to stress, anxiety or excitment. Many dogs will often mount their brothers and sisters as a way to engage them in play.

While Fezco’s breed is unknown, his story has brought him attention from all around the world and we have a feeling it won’t be long before this sweet-hearted canine finds the loving home he deserves.

If you know of anyone who might be able to foster Fezco or you’d like to offer him a temporary home yourself while he’s made ready for adoption, you can call the Stanly County Animal Protective Services on (704) 986-3881.

If you’re a sucker for an animal movie, then you’ll love the new offering from Netflix, ‘Rescued by Ruby’. It’s the story of a shelter dog who was within hours of being euthanized and went on to join the police K9 unit and become a hero. There’s an extraordinary twist to the tale, as well, so no wonder Netflix pricked up their ears.

Like many dogs who find themselves in shelters, Ruby didn’t get the best start in life. She was taken in by the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and rehomed and returned five times due to over-exuberant behavior.

Fortunately, dedicated shelter volunteer Patricia Inman didn’t give up on her wayward charge and recommended her to Corporal Dan O’Neil of the Rhode Island State Police. She knew that the highly intelligent pup, a mixture of two working breeds, needed a job to do and was probably not suited to being a pet. 

Meanwhile, O’Neil was keen to join the Police K9 unit but kept being rejected. Eventually, with the help of his sergeant Matthew Zarrella, he found Ruby, just two hours before she was due to be euthanized as unadoptable.

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In 2011, the one-year-old Border Collie/Australian Shepherd cross Ruby was officially adopted by the police and joined the K9 service. It wasn’t straightforward though – Ruby’s difficult behaviors had to be slowly and patiently overcome with consistent training and affection.

Now the twist. In 2017, Rhode Island's Gloucester Police Department received a call to alert officers that a young teenager had been missing for over 36 hours and his parents were frantic. Ruby and O’Neil sprang into action and located the boy after a six-hour search.

When they met the boy’s mother at the hospital, she turned out to be no other than Patricia Inman, the shelter volunteer who had fought so hard to keep Ruby from euthanasia. Ruby recognized Pat immediately and kept jumping up to lick her.

Ruby’s heroism led to her being awarded ‘Search and Rescue Dog of the Year’ by the American Humane Hero Dog Awards. She’s now into her 11th year as an official state trooper, has her own badge and is still going strong.

The movie, which stars Grant Gustin as O’Neil and two rescue dogs, Bear and Shiloh, as Ruby, is due to air on Netflix on March 17.

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In the movie trailer, a shelter volunteer warns O’Neil, “She’s a handful. She’s too high strung, she chews, she digs, she steals food, she never sleeps, she’s not even house broken.”

O’Neil replies: “I like a challenge. She’s going to be the first shelter dog to make a canine unit.”

His words came true in spectacular style, and he hopes Ruby’s story will inspire others to adopt from shelters.

The movie was premiered at a special viewing for the Rhode Island Police on Monday 14, and yes – Ruby did attend!

Released in mid-February, the movie Dog starring Channing Tatum has proved a surprise hit, but for many, including one mom living in California, it’s an all too familiar story. 

It was 2012 when Tammie Ashley received a knock on her front door that would change her life forever. In the moments that followed, she was given the news that her son, military dog handler and Marine Sgt. Joshua Ashley, had been killed while leading a patrol out of Zombalay Village in Afghanistan

"They came and knocked on my door, just like you see on television," Ashley explains. "I couldn't even concentrate. I felt like I was going to throw up. It was to the point that my oldest son had to tell them to stop talking."

Joshua had often spoken about adopting his service dog, Sirius, one day and just weeks after his death, Ashley made plans to bring home the one remaining piece of her son - his beloved canine companion. But it would be a while before her dream was made a reality.

"Sirius was so young, so we chose as a family to let Sirius continue to serve," Ashley explains. "I didn't want to bring him back home just to sit in the backyard. So he continued to serve and did another deployment."

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Finally, in 2016, after Sirius wrapped up his second deployment, he was finally ready to come home to Ashley. "They did a wonderful job at Camp Lejeune — they did an actual retirement ceremony for him," Ashley said.

And while welcoming Sirius home brought immense feelings of joy and comfort, it was not without its sadness. "I did a lot of crying. I'd tell Sirius I wish he could talk, so he could tell me about my son," she added. "But our city was wonderful — there were hundreds of people waiting at the airport, and they escorted us home with him. So it was a really big hometown welcome."

Sirius and Ashely formed an unbreakable bond and remained together until she was forced to put him to sleep in May of 2021 due to his deteriorating health, the result of an injury he sustained at the end of his second deployment. Ashley is clear that the pair saved one another. 

"For me, it was comforting for me," she said. "Josh never had children. Sirius was his baby. Handlers are the 'daddies' of those dogs. Just having him there and knowing he was part of Josh helped me."

Ashley recently accompanied her two other sons to watch Dogs, something she wasn’t sure she’d be able to do. The film tells the story of Army Ranger Briggs, who is tasked with getting military dog Lulu to the funeral of her handler. For Ashely, it very much told the story of her family.

"My son said, 'Mom, I think you'll be OK. Let's go," she said. "It looked funny, and it was funny. But the hardest part was when they went to the cemetery and LuLu went to his boots and laid near his boots. And they were shooting the guns for the 21 gun salute, and (Tatum) went over and held Lulu. I used to do that with Sirius. Anytime that we were at any functions — like Memorial Day or something — and they put off the guns, I would have to do the same thing. So that part killed me."

Ashley hopes there'll be more movies like Dog that teach the world about the special bond that military dogs share with their handlers. "Canine handlers are very special people, and I'm not just saying that because of my son," she said. "I have close relationships with men and women that my son served with. They're a very small community, and have a brother- and sisterhood like no other. And once my son was killed, I became part of that family."

Craig Fields, Ex MMA Fighter, is the founder of dog charity The New York Bully Crew. They are a non-profit dog rescue team that save abused and neglected dogs in the Long Island area. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and adopt out these dogs to loving homes.

Most of the dogs rescued by Craig are Pit Bulls, and they have over 150 dogs in their rescue facility at any given time. One Pit Bull named Missy was stabbed eight times, and they have worked with her to nurse her back to health.

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Craig said, “it breaks my heart that there are people out there doing these things to dogs”. There has recently been a bill passed that will soon make it a felony to abuse, neglect, and abandon animals in every state in the US.

The New York Bully Crew says that there are a lot of similarities between Bulldogs and MMA fighters, with Craig suggesting that often people will look at him and assume he is mean due to his appearance, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Pitbulls as a breed often get a bad rep, but this team is proving how loving they can be when they are given the right treatment.

One dog that they rescued was found rolled up in a carpet, weighing just 29 pounds. He is now 89 pounds and has been adopted by a millionaire family, so he is now living his best life! This is a true Cinderella story, and The New York Bully Crew has so many more just like that.

Craig says “each one we rescue takes a piece of my heart” and he says he’ll never forget any of them. He doesn’t get any money for the work he does, he says he is rescuing dogs because he wants to and because it’s what they deserve. He is proud to leave this legacy when he’s gone.

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The list of Puppy Bowl adoptable dogs in 2022 featured 11 pups in need of a home but these four are the ones likely to grow up to be canine Aaron Gibsons! Take a look and see if you could give one a home.

Puppy Bowl is staged every year by TV network Animal Planet to aid animal adoption and to highlight the great work done by America’s Animal Shelters. In the 18th competition televised yesterday Team Fluff beat Team Ruff by a slim margin of 73-69 in a game that lasted some three hours. Alongside the 105 pups that took part were 11 that were available for immediate adoption but we’ve picked out four that are likely to grow into heavy hitters to rival the giants of NFL. Who knows, maybe you’ll be watching next year’s Puppy Bowl with one of these guys next to you on the couch…

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Charlie - Rhodesian Ridgeback

Oregon Humane Society
Charlie is a 10-week-old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix who came from a litter of 12 puppies and currently resides in a shelter in rural southern Oregon. Although he’s a cute lil fella right now, be warned that this breed will grow to an average of around 27 inches tall and weigh in at some 88lbs! The shelter anticipates a lot of interest in Charlie but if he’s found a furever home already they’ll have lots more pets looking for adoring owners.

Trex - Pit Bull Terrier Mix

Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County
Trex lives in Jefferson County and is a fun-loving, 9-week-old Pit Bull mix. He comes from a litter of seven siblings and was brought to the shelter with his mom just a few days after being born. He currently weighs in at around 8lbs but will grow into a solid 60lbs canine powerhouse! Favorite activities include playing, snuggling and napping and he’d suit single people or families alike.

Fitzy - American Pit Bull Terrier mix

Fitz is named after Larry Fitzgerald, legendary Wide Receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. He’s a sweet little pup who was born in an AHS Foster Hero home after his mom was transferred there through its Project Reachout program. After medical check-ups the AHS veterinarians discovered that poor Fitzy is blind in both eyes so this specially-abled pup will require a special home to care for him. Despite his challenges, Fitzy enjoys playing ball with his siblings and learning how to navigate his way around.  

Gumdrop - Husky/Shepherd mix

Gumdrop is a ten-week old shepherd-husky mix puppy with a playful personality who comes from a litter of eight siblings who are also up for adoption. The litter have been cared for by foster families since arriving at the humane society as newborns just prior to Christmas and all of them have fun, candy-based names including Nerds, Taffy, Pop Rocks and Milk Dud. If you want to see more of Gumdrop and her brothers and sisters visit the link above.

A pregnant rescue dog’s maternity photoshoot has gone viral after the pup's well deserved pampering session was shared by the wonderful team at Gateway Pet Guardians.

Leaders in the animal welfare industry, Gateway Pet Guardians are working tirelessly to end the cycle of animal homelessness and ensuring that those who do end up in their care are spoiled with love until they’re able to find a forever home.

Skittles the Pit Bull is the latest recipient of this love, having been found as a stray and bought into the shelter. In a TikTok video that has received hundreds of thousands of views, the team shares what Skittles was like when they first met her.

“She was a little nervous when she first got to our shelter,” the video caption explains, “but once she got the chance to cuddle, she couldn’t contain her love.” Just looking at her, they quickly realized that Skittles was most likely pregnant and an x-ray soon confirmed that she was carrying eight puppies.

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And what does every mama-to-be need? Why a maternity photoshoot of course! Wrapping Skittles in red tuile, the team went about capturing these last precious days of her pregnancy, explaining to the many netizens keen to give Skittles and her pups a home that the puppies are due any day now.

TikTokers have been commenting in their thousands after watching the sweet clip with one user writing, “Gosh she has the most beautiful spirit just exuding from her. I don’t know what it is but I’m in tears,” while another wrote “She’s gonna be such a good momma! Thank you for saving this beautiful soul.”

Skittles must have enjoyed all that pampering she got on her photoshoot too, because she only lasted a few moments before all that gentle attention sent her off to dreamland. “You deserve your rest momma,” the closing caption reads.” We can’t wait to see you be the best Mom!” 

Ever thrown a party when your folks were out of town then realized you’d have to deal with the consequences of a very messy night? That’s what happened recently at Bedford County Humane Society, a dog shelter in Pennsylvania. There were two exceptions in this case – the culprit made all the mess on his own, and he had no remorse for his actions at all.

Like many dogs who end up in shelters, Gilligan had a rough start in life. He was luckier than many, though – the shelter itself adopted him and made him its official ‘greeter’ dog. Now Gilligan takes pride in his job, which is to meet ‘n’ greet potential new adopters as they come in and check them for suitability – and treats.

Working so hard clearly takes a toll, and Gilligan sometimes has to blow off a little steam. On January 13, an employee put Gilligan back in his cage for the evening when staff went home – and didn’t lock the door properly.

The dynamic dog immediately seized his chance and took the opportunity to wiggle himself free. From then on, it was party time!

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Coming into work the following morning, an employee found a scene of utter devastation. Shreds of plush toys were scattered along the corridors and across three rooms.

"Well, someone had a good night at the shelter," the employee said, with understatement, on a short video posted to TikTok under the user name @stardust9982."Let's go find who did it," she added, while walking along the corridor. “It was…Gilligan!” 

At the sound of his name, Gilligan, a black dog wearing a jaunty red bandana, bounced out of a doorway, completely unrepentant and jumping around proudly wagging his tail and showing off his handiwork.

A big pile of toys had been donated for the holidays, meaning that the mischievous mutt could have an even more pawsome time than usual. Footage also posted on TikTok and taken from the shelter’s security cameras shows him carefully selecting his victims from the pile – all the toys with squeakers! 

While anything that squeaked had a short life expectancy from there, the puckish pup ignored piles of plain plush toys and food.

While they did lose a few toys to the onslaught, shelter staff couldn’t be cross with their misbehaving mutt as he was clearly so pleased with himself. 

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Looks like dog lovers across the world agree: his video clip has been viewed more than 2.6 million times, with viewers commenting “Clearly, not a guilty bone in his body”, and “he deserved this night of unbridled fun”. Others offered to donate to an Amazon wishlist to replace Gilligan’s victims. 

We can only hope that the next time we throw a party our neighbors take it this well!

Known to many pet parents as the official face of Busch Beer's Dog Brew, Ethan the dog recently went back to his less fortunate roots at the Kentucky Humane Society to meet a fellow survivor called Travolta for the very first time.

Both Ethan and Travolta share a common bond in that they were both found severely emaciated and taken to the society after being on the brink of death. While Ethan, a Cane Corso mix, was found abandoned in a parking lot, Travolta was discovered emaciated at the side of the road. 

According to a Facebook video posted by the shelter on January 3, Travolta's lifeless body was recovered at the start of 2022 "covered in urine and feces, [with] open and infected pressure sores all over his body, a badly infected scrotum... covered in maggots, and was suffering from starvation with a body scale score of 1 out of 9."

However, after receiving round-the-clock life-saving treatment from the Kentucky Humane Society both Travolta and Ethan have since returned back to full health, with Ethan having since been adopted by KHS staff member Jeff Callaway, who welcomed him into his home after overseeing his recovery.

Having returned to the shelter for a visit, Ethan can be seen in a recently filmed meet-up posted by WLKY News Louisville greeting Travolta for the first time. 

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After an initially shy encounter, the pair soon become acquainted with one another, with the charity posting a series of adorably heartwarming pictures of the newly bonded pair over on their Facebook page to commemorate the special event. 

"Look who had a visitor!" the shelter wrote. "Our baby Ethan stopped by our veterinary ward to give Travolta some love and support during his recovery. Travolta is doing well today."

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Travolta has already gained more than four pounds since arriving at the shelter, and is now able to walk for short periods of time. Now, thanks to his Ethan, he's making new friends already. 

If you'd like to follow more of Travolta's progress, visit the Kentucky Humane Society over on social media.