October is Adopt a Shelter Pet Month! All of my babies are rescues and it’s about time people start realizing how amazing rescue animals can be! Wynston went from dying and scared of everything to a PetSmart model and agility competitor! Rescues aren’t “damaged goods.” In fact, they are quite the opposite. I firmly believe that rescue animals are the best because they don’t take anything for granted! Here are the stories of some amazing rescue dogs and cats – I started with my cats since my dogs always get the highlights 😉
Joey:
Joey (aka D.) is my rescue tabby cat. He is six years old and I rescued him from Saving One Life cat sanctuary when he was two. Joey was being chased on the street by a dog and was picked up by a good Samaritan. He had been in foster care for over a year because no one wanted him due to his disability. It made most people turn away immediately. When I saw him, however, I fell in love. I remember telling myself “if he’s still here (at the rescue) in a week, I will adopt him.” Well guess what, he was still there. No surprise unfortunately. I adopted him and he’s been an absolute angel since. At the time his name was Cheetoh (because of his orange color no doubt) but I changed it to Joey since he sits up like a baby kangaroo! Although it took him about a month to settle in, Joey is now extremely affectionate and vocal. I love having conversations with him and cuddling. Joey is the sweetest boy ever!
Sadie:
I adopted Sadie (originally Venus) from AAWL. I had never seen a polydactyl cat until I laid eyes on her. Sadie was six months old and I couldn’t believe how gorgeous she was. I remember asking the volunteer if I could see her because she was rubbing up against the glass. As soon as I put her in my arms, she climbed onto my shoulder and sat there like a monkey. I said “Okay well I guess I’m taking her home!” The rest is history! Sadie settled into my home very quickly. She does really well with transition and change. Sadie has two extra toes on each of her front paws. She’s a bit smaller than the average cat so it makes her paws look especially large. While extremely independent, Sadie loves people and is very friendly. She’s five years old now. Where does time go?!
Astro:
Astro is an active 5 year old Mini Australian Shepherd who loves pleasing his human. He enjoys learning new tricks, taking walks, camping, hiking, shopping at PetSmart, chasing his basketball, riding in the car, and competing in dog sports like Showmanship, Obedience, Rally-O, and Agility. Astro lives in an animal loving home that includes dogs, cats, chickens, horses and even a donkey. This little sweetheart is very sensitive; he thrives on positive reinforcement and learns new things quickly. Astro and his 15 year old kid, Sara, spend time daily playing and learning new things. Astro has been a model for PetSmart. He also visits the elderly in nursing homes. His quiet, patient disposition is endearing.
Being a rescue dog, Astro didn’t have the happiest of beginnings. Five years ago, when Sara and Astro met at a dog adoption event, he was a scrawny little puppy that was hiding in the corner of his crate. The crate was filled with dogs available for adoption, and he was the littlest and most timid. Sadly, he was getting picked on by the bigger dogs. We asked to see him just to get him out of that crate. Well, once we held him, we all fell in love, and we knew we needed him in our life. The only information the rescue had was that he was an “accidental breeding”; a breeder had turned him over to the rescue. He was 16 weeks old when we adopted him. Sara made a promise to her new pup that the rest of his life would be filled with love and joy. They spend every possible minute together; Astro goes to school with Sara, sleeps in her room at night, and goes on family vacations. He’s traveled across country twice already! Theirs is a beautiful friendship; the two were meant to be together.
Norma Jean (aka the best black lab):
From her mom, Jen: Norma was previously “Anna and approximately 4 months old we we adopted her from S.A.F.E (Saving Animals From Euthanasia) at the PetSmart on Signal Butte Rd. She was dropped off that day and we actually were able to meet the man who had rescued her from his neighbor’s yard. His neighbor had foreclosed on their house, left her in the backyard and never returned to get her. It was definitely love at first sight on our part. We loved her personality and ridge on her nose. Norma has always had a love for men and children. We didn’t see her come out of her shell for a few months but after we started taking her to classes for obedience and tricks she started learning quickly and loved new tricks. She loves being with her buddies. Norma also loves hiking, camping and agility. She was recently a model for PetSmart for their pet hotel and daycare. She continues to improve in agility and placed 2nd at her very first trial! Norma has been the easiest and best dog.
Kronos:
Kronos was adopted from Arizona Cattle Dog Rescue on January 13th, 2013 at around 12 weeks old. He was born as a stray and his mother and siblings were turned in to the animal shelter before being pulled by the rescue group. Kronos is an Australian Cattle Dog Mix. I picked him up to foster at around 9 weeks old right before Christmas in 2012. He has two different colored eyes, giraffe spots on his very lanky legs, and he is half deaf.
Do you have any rescue pets?! Tell us about how amazing they are!
Camille says
Love. Love. Love. Every one of these stories highlights just how perfect, and special, every animal truly is. Thank you so much for sharing these! 🙂
Amanda says
You’re absolutely right! They are all so different but so amazing 🙂
Earl Lover says
Such precious pets!
Amanda says
They are! Rescue pets are amazing!
Sharon, Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog says
Thanks for introducing ALL of your rescued pets. I’m so happy to learn that one of your fur babies is a special needs pet. Too often these cats and dogs get overlooked. Happy Adopt A Shelter Dog Month.
Amanda says
My poor Joey was overlooked for way too long! Everyone missed out because he’s such an angel! Lucky me 🙂