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A video was posted of Nubz working to overcome his condition with physical therapy. After seeing this, Havlinek had to apply to adopt him.

Havlinek’s application was approved, and it was time to head to Nubz! He got into his RV and drove 2,800 miles – from Oregon all the way to Pennsylvania.

Nubz was the only dog in his litter to survive the puppy mill from which he was rescued. His paw loss was caused by his mother chewing off his rear paws, a reaction caused from the stress of the conditions and a difficulty with understanding what it meant to be a mom.

“Puppy mills typically have a lot of caged animals. They don’t have a lot of access to moving around,” Laura Magruder, Nubz’s veterinarian at Evergreen Veterinary Hospital in Salem, told KGW.com. “We don’t know if it was the extra stress of the puppy mill or maybe she just wasn’t ready to be a mom, but she ended up taking it out on her puppies, unfortunately.”

Nubz was very carefully attended to thanks to his rescuers, the veterinary staff involved, and the foster mom that cared for him until he was adopted. Nubz was finally ready to move on to the new chapter in his life with his new forever home.

Now at 10-months-old, Nubz is living a healthy life full of happiness! Havlinek is doing everything in his power to give him the best possible life – including providing pricy hydrotherapy and paying $3,000 for Nubz to get custom prosthetics.

While having a disabled dog can be an expense, it is worth every penny. Havlinek feels joy seeing Nubz running and playing the same way any other dog can. He hopes that he can train Nubz to become a therapy dog for wounded veterans as well, so his story can help others in need!

“Take him in for guys who’ve got amputations and stuff, and take him in to show you-you’re not alone,” Havlinek said.

 Source: KGW

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While Koda was waiting to be adopted at the Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton, New York, the Animal Farm Foundation noted that he would be a great candidate for the Assistance Dog Program. This program takes qualified pit bulls from shelters and gives them the necessary training to become service dogs.

“All dogs are individuals, and while some tend to prefer staying cozy on the couch all day as a family pet, others have the right characteristics to perform service work,” Bernice Clifford, director of behavior and training at AFF, told The Dodo. “In Koda’s case, he had a great personality, was very comfortable with being around other dogs and people and had the desire and energy to do the work.”

Koda began his life at a farm and enjoyed roaming around with the cows. Unfortunately, the landlord did not enjoy the animals mingling and demanded that Koda be rehomed. When a new home was found, animal control checked up on the new owners – and it turned out they had been convicted of animal cruelty in the past. Koda was taken out of the home and was placed in a shelter.

Koda spent a year training for basic obedience and understanding environments to be experienced with his handler (for instance, grocery stores, airports, plans, or public transportation). He learned about how to respond to seizures, how to pick up dropped items, and how to call for help when needed.

Once he completed his training, Koda was paired with a handler that matched him perfectly – Fiona Gilbert, and exercise physiologist from San Francisco, California.

As a sufferer of multiple sclerosis, or MS, Filber experiences a number of symptoms on a daily basis. When she saw a documentary about a woman with the same diagnosis utilizing a service dog, she felt inspired to try the same.

Gilbert applied for a service pit bull in 2014, and has waited three years to be paired – an average waiting period for a service dog, according to Gilbert.

“It was my husband who first said, ‘What you need is a pit bull service dog,’ and I remember saying, ‘Don’t be stupid, there’s no such thing,’” Gilbert said. “And here I am with an ultra-amazing pit bull service dog.”

“It’s not often that you see a movement therapist needing a service dog to help them move and do their job,” Gilbert expplained. “I travel a lot for work and my job is physically demanding.”

Gilbert works with patients suffering from neurological disorders, much like herself. Her job can leave her exhausted. With Koda, Gilbert is able to use less of her body strength to work, allowing her to better focus on the task at hand – helping her clients!

“Koda braces me when I do [flexibility training] work on my clients so I am not so tired at the end of the day,” Gilbert said. “I’m able to do things like make dinner and have a conversation with my husband without falling asleep on the couch or into my soup.”

Before Koda came into her life, daily tasks such as walking could be extremely difficult. “Walking is one of the trickiest [and most tiring] things to do when you have a neurological disorder,” she said. “With Koda, I can trust him to make sure that I am safe and walking well, so I don’t need as much energy to walk.”

The exhaustion Gilbert felt from her job caused difficulty managing her MS.

“When I get exhausted, my symptoms flare,” Gilbert said. “Travel became difficult. I look healthy, but I can’t form words, so I would appear to be drunk and sometimes denied boarding a plane. Having Koda means I am not as tired and my invisible disability becomes visible.”

While Koda is a hardworker, he also enjoys his free time. He loves basking in the sun…

Snuggling…

Playing with squeaky toys…

And having snacks!

The relationship between Gilbert and Koda helps to tear down negative stereotypes about pit bulls.

“I’d never owned a pit bull before Koda, but I was familiar with their public image and thought it was unfair to sideline an entire breed,” Gilbert said. “Seeing us work, people have been learning about dogs as individuals.”

“Koda has had quite the roller coaster in life and so have I,” Gilbert said. “But being a pit bull or a person who has a diagnosis handed to them or a crappy history doesn’t define who they are. It is what they do with it, it is how we respond back to the world that defines us.”

Source: The Dodo

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Carlos Carrillo and his colleague were having an ordinary day last Friday, until they stumbled upon something shocking. 

The two Shoreline Plumbing employees were on their way to a job in Robstown, Texas. While riding down a country road they noticed something strange in a ditch. Thankfully, they decided to stop and see what it was. 

The men quickly noticed it was a dog, tied up with tubing, and with duct-tape sealing his mouth shut. 

“We didn’t know he was dog at first,” Carrillo explained to The Dodo. “We reversed and saw him.”

It was clear the person that had left the dog in this state had meant for the dog to die. 

Carrillo and his colleague cut the dog free, saving the dog’s life. “He seemed OK,” said Carrillo.

“He was very loving and liked the attention. He was probably just there for a day or so.”

Once the two plumbers brought the dog into their vehicle, they drove to Peewee’s Pet Adoption – a local no-kill shelter. 

Even after going through such trauma, the dog was thrilled about his rescue.

“Look at that face,” said Carrillo. “He knows he was saved!”

Other than heartworms, the dog was in good health. He will need treatment, but he is very happy that he will live a full life. 

“His tail won’t stop wagging,” a team member at the shelter told The Dodo. “He’s such a sweetheart.”

It is unfortunate that the person that left the dog to die will likely never be punished for his/her actions, however it is incredible the two rescuers allowed this dog to have a chance at a full life. Now the dog can find his forever home. 

If you would like to adopt this dog, contact Peewee’s Pet Adoption! 

If you ever suspect or witness animal abuse or neglect, contact animal control or 911. You can make a difference! 

Source: The Dodo

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Over three years ago, Glenn Greenwald rescued Mabel – an injured dog along a road in the Rio de Janeiro forest.

Glenn and his husband, David Miranda, were already owners of seven dogs prior to adopting Mabel. Mabel ended up being pregnant, and so Glenn and David found loving homes for four of the six new puppies (keeping the other two puppies for themselves!).

After this experience, animal rescue became more important than ever to Glenn and David. Now, three years later, they are up to 23 dogs at home! Of course along the way, they have also fostered and worked on getting other dogs adopted and into loving homes.

Over the past 2 years, Glenn and David have paid mind to those that are homeless and living on the streets with their pets. Many people walk by homeless individuals every day and assume that their pet companions are mistreated or neglected. Glenn and David knew that in most cases, this was far from the truth.

Homeless people and their homeless pets form a unique bond. Such intense companionship is important during such hardship. Both homeless pet and owner share mutual needs and understand each other through any circumstance.

Being a homeless individual with a pet also means being willing to make sacrifices. Food must be shared, no matter how hungry the pet owner feels. A sociology professor at the University of Colorado, Leslie Irvine, is studying the relationship between the homeless and their pets. Her book on the subject is titled My Dog Always Eats First. 

This bond and friendship was very important to Glenn and David, and so they created two short documentaries (directed by Oscar-winning director Laura Poitras). These documentaries documented two circumstances with homeless people and their devotion for their pets.

In the first documentary, the story follows an individual known as “Birdie” – an ex-convict selling fruit, living on the streets, and caring for his two dogs.

The second documentary shows “Karollyne” – a trans woman with a homeless family squatting amongst various abandoned buildings with their dogs, cats, monkeys, and other animals. Most of the animals cared for by Karollyne are rescued from abandonment.

To do something to help the homeless population and their pets, Glenn and David came up with a unique plan that does not exist anywhere else in the world. The idea was to create an animal shelter with all of the typical functions. It rescues animals in need, provides medical care, and finds loving homes with adoptive families – but there is one thing other shelters do not do.

Glenn and David’s shelter would be completely staffed by homeless people living on the streets with their pets. These individuals have shown their deep compassion for animals by caring for their pets in times of struggle. This would employ these individuals, helping to aid income for the homeless through permanent employment. This ends up helping both owner and pet!

Glenn and David have a hope to serve as a model and example for other places around the world. Seeing the impact their idea can make, progress can be made in many different cities.

Late last year, Glenn created a short film about a same-sex Brazilian couple looking to adopt a child that ended up having two older siblings. The father whose income supported the entire – Francisco David – family lost his job, and Glenn realized this was the perfect place to start the shelter idea. Francisco had been raised in poverty and understood Brazilian poverty. He had been a supervisor for construction projects, meaning he had the background necessary to get a blueprint together for the shelter.

Francisco became the shelter’s executive director. Following this, the first homeless staff was hired.

While Glenn was in Ipanema, he came across two homeless men, Lucas and Wallace. The two men had an ill puppy they were caring for with all the love in their hearts. The men worked hard going to many veterinarians to seek one that would care for the puppy free of charge – and fortunately one agreed to.

The dog had a serious virus because of the lack of vaccinations making the puppy susceptible.

Lucas, 20-years-old, had an adult dog of his own and became the shelter’s first homeless individual hired. Because of the salary the shelter ended up allowing him to receive, he was able to get an apartment and start a stable life.

The shelter quickly developed a partnership with the CREAS agency in Rio – an agency specializing in helping the homeless transition from the street to a stable life. By partnering with CREAS, employees at the shelter could be given temporary housing, clothing, and counseling services!

CREAS also will provide a way for new employees to get proper identification, bank accounts, and permanent stability for a better life off the streets.

Volunteer veterinarians, nurses, and rescue activists have been secured and are ready to get started. All of the necessities for a successful homeless-run shelter are in place.

All the shelter needs now is public support to get started. A campaign is getting started to begin getting the donations necessary to kick things off!

In Brazil, there is a severe economic crisis that leaves many homeless, but does not leave room for many services for the homeless. Most services that once existed for homeless people and pets have been cut for lack of funding.

Needless to say, fundraising is necessary from the public to get this shelter fully functioning. Money raised for startup is what allowed the first two staff members to be hired and what made it possible to begin the project.

Now the shelter needs around $250,000 to cover the cost of medical care for animals and salaries for the homeless employees.

If you are interested in donating, there is a Go Fund Me. Help spread the word about this amazing idea in order to help fundraise as well as bring attention to the concept (so it can be replicated worldwide). Learn more about the project in this video:

Source: The Dodo 

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A five year old from New Jersey went missing in a wooded area..

The York County Sheriff’s Office was contacted to report the missing boy, Grecco. He had been separated from his family while hiking off of Hussey Hill road.

Fortunately, Maine Search and Rescue Dog handler Dorothy Smail and her dog Tala came to the rescue.

Tala found Grecco about a half mile from where he had last been seen. He was lying down in the woods playing dead. Grecco thought that Tala was a fox and acted fast.

Smail introduced herself to Grecco, and quickly spread the word about finding him. The Maine Game Wardens, York County Deputies, Maine State Police, Action Fire department, and York County EMA were all searching for Grecco.

Both a bloodhound team from the Maine Warden Service and a K9 team from Maine Search and Rescue worked to find Grecco. Dogs are an important asset, as they can search in ways humans are unable.

Thanks to Tala, Grecco is safe and sound. Besides being wet, tired and hungry, he suffered no injuries.

The Maine Wardens Service reminds everyone to stick together when hiking and to try and keep on marked trails. If someone is lost after 15-20 minutes of searching, be sure to contact the Warden Service to get a professional search time right away. Stay safe!

Source: WCSH6

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Lola was living a difficult life of cruelty for eight years.

Lola, a pit bull, was chained inside a garage. In the dingy, dark setting she was forced to lie on a concrete floor. No vets came to care for her, and she was never given any attention. Not once in her eight years was she allowed off of her chain.

Fortunately, a woman noticed Lola and called AMA Animal Rescue, an animal rescue organization from NY. Rescuers came to the scene and talked to Lola’s owner. After some discussion, Lola’s owner surrendered Lola to the rescuers!

After the life she had, rescuers expected Lola to be hostile and dangerous towards people. But instead, Lola was quite the opposite. Lola was loving and kind to the rescuers – with her tail wagging!

“We called her ‘wiggly butt,’” Michele Walsh told The Dodo. “She was wagging her cute little tail, super friendly, giving kisses and so happy to meet her rescuers. She let them take her off this chain, and they walked right out with her.”

Once rescued, Lola was brought to Animal Kind Veterinary Hospital. After looking at her, a few tumors needed to be removed. Once she was done with surgery, Lola was off to foster care in Manhattan with Charlene von Saher.

After seven weeks with von Saher, Lola is certainly embracing the comfortable lifestyle. She’s managed to find all soft and comfortable spots in the house.

From the couch….

To the bed…

To outdoor furniture.

Lola even took pillows off of the bed to put into the dog bed! “When I came home, her head was on it — she literally made herself a little bed in her bed with my pillow. It was like ‘The Princess and the Pea’ — I guess she liked having multiple cushions underneath her.”

Lola has even enjoyed laying across two beds…

And on top of two beds!

“I was out for a minute, and when I came back, Lola had moved the smaller bed on top of the other bed and put herself on top of it,” said von Saher. “It was hysterical. I couldn’t believe it when I came in.”

When the sun comes out, Lola loves to soak up the sunshine! After spending years in the dark, Lola loves being in the light.

Since being rescued, Lola has become a spoiled dog that loves life. Lola has shown von  Saher how important it is to relax.

“I think she looks better and better each day,” von Saher said. “They always say, ‘When you adopt a dog, you’re really saving two.’ That’s because you’re taking one, and you’re opening up a space for another dog to come into the shelter or the rescue group.”

Lola is loved by von Saher and is having a great life.

Source: The Dodo

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While helping clean a local garden in the community, Craig Mcgettrick noticed something unusual…

A litter of puppies were sitting in the garden – without a mother in sight! Craig and his friend Beccie placed the puppies in a cardboard box and brought them to a rescue facility in the area called Freshfields Animal Rescue. To seek help for the puppies, the two even put photos on Facebook.

The photos on Facebook began to spread quickly, and then a notification came that changed things…

The founder of the National Fox Welfare Society, Martin Hemmington, explained that these puppies were not puppies at all – they were fox cubs!

Hemmington posted on a later Facebook post that:

“We were contacted by a lovely lady called Beccie through our Facebook Page; Beccie had sent a few photos asking if the babies in the photos were indeed fox cubs. We confirmed they certainly were. Beccie advised us that they had been taken to a rescue center in Liverpool mistakenly as puppies, not fox cubs.”

People were still a bit confused as to why the cubs were all alone. Hemmington’s expertise shed light on the subject. He explained:

“Vixens leave their cubs all the time whilst they are in the den, and as they get older they’ll begin to explore their surroundings more and more, and become less dependent on mum as they get older”

The fox cubs needed their mother, and Hemmington stepped in to help bring the family back together.

“I didn’t give the cubs any milk in order for them to be hungry so they’d cry out and call for their mum, which they did,” Hemmington said.

“I put them around the same place they were found, as I knew the mum would be looking for them, and she’d be checking the place she last had them.”

He went on to say, “I believe once she’d picked the first one up and knew the others were safe in the box, she waited until it got dark to get the rest as she must not have felt safe moving the cubs in daylight.”

The cubs were back with their mother by the end of the night, thanks to all of the people that helped in the situation. Such an unusual mistake fixed right away!

(Sources: Facebook and Shareably)

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Even after being rescued, the dogs held each other tightly. The bigger dog protected her little friend before, and never planned to stop doing so.

As time went on, the dogs became increasingly more comfortable in their new home.

They are finally able to know they are safe and loved.  Looks like they’re even getting a chance to meditate!

(h/t pawmygosh.com)

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