She chose us!

We had lost a German Shepard Mix and Golden Retriever to old age in the last year and it was time to get a new dog. On a spur of the moment decision we went to the Humane Society "just to take a look".
We noticed a 7 month old Lab mix that did not bark every time a dog went by and we didn't want a "barker". We went over to her cage and she came right up and licked us through the chain link. We went for a short walk with her and then signed the paperwork. We found out that she had just been released into population from quarantine that day.

Only after we had her for a while we found she was rather timid and does not like just anyone immediately. We had no idea the way she acted with us the first day!

It took her two weeks to bark the first time (a Rin Tin Tin movie caused it!) and she has barked less than a dozen times in the last four and a half years. That Fourth of July we noticed she has little or no reaction to fireworks and doesn't mind thunder storms.

For almost 5 years now it has been "All About Casey". We've taken her with us everywhere we can and plan many activities around whether or not she can be included. She loves her walks to the park or golf course every day and seeing her friends there. We couldn't ask for a better dog.

Jerry Cooper
Tucson, AZ

Maggie Mae

Maggie was found as a stray down south when she was less than a year old. We were searching pet finder for a companion for our 4 year old rescue dog, Ava, when her cute little face popped out at me.

I knew immediately that this was the dog for us! Our adoption wasn't easy though. I was warned that a 4ft. fence may not be high enough, because she can jump that high! Also, due to previous travel arrangements and pick-up conflicts, we had to postpone our adoption and hope that Maggie would still be available when we returned! It was fate!

A month later we took her home. I swear she knew it was her forever home. This little girl came right in like she owned the place (she does). Maggie is very smart. She knew fetch, sit, and come when we got her and loves to play ball and frisbee. She was easily crate and house trained. When it's raining or snowing, this silly little girl goes down a full flight of stairs on her front legs! After only 1yr. with us, Maggie can be trusted off leash! She has no desire to leave my side! In fact, she's helping me write her story! Thank you Forever Home Rescue!

Joanne Paul
Bridgewater, MA

But we already knew this!

Who rescued whom?

Some pictures need no words...

Meet Gertie - Seniors Rule!!

Upon browsing photos on our local shelter website, Gertie stood out because her previous owner had written a bio for her, letting us know that she was house and crate trained. We are so thankful that he did that - when we got to the shelter she was curled up in a tight little ball in the back of her kennel, blending in with the shadows, and she wouldn't even lift her head when we called to her.

Black Dog Syndrome is definitely a real phenomenon, and we probably wouldn't have asked to meet her if not for her bio, especially because she was 7 year old and had arthritis in her hind leg. She had already been there for several weeks and was due to be euthanized the following week. What a gem she turned out to be! Our sweet old gal perked right up at home with daily exercise and glucosamine, and now she doesn't even limp.

She is wonderful with our daughter, loves all children, gets along fabulously with all dogs, and has the sweetest soul. She still has tons of energy to play fetch and go on daily runs with me. More people should consider adopting seniors - they are often already trained and fit right into your routine, plus many shelters give you a discount on adoption fees!!

Stacy Kroll
Simi Valley, CA

Will You Be Her Valentine?

A gentle touch, a warm lap, a hug. An abused or neglected animal has never known such simple acts of kindness. They are the unloved. The unwanted. And they are desperately waiting to be rescued.

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This Valentine's Day, won’t you open your heart and become an ASPCA Guardian? Your dedicated monthly support will help us rescue lonely and neglected pets across the country. Together we can provide abused animals with the love they have never felt before.

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Bella the Beautiful

When I picked Bella up off the street in the small Thai town where I lived she had almost no fur, bloody scabs on her ears and was desperately thin. I had just learned to ride a motorbike and intended to take her to the vet for an injection to treat mange. To my surprise she didn't run away. After all the neglect and mistreatment she still had enough trust to let me pick her up and ride off down the road with her under my arm. We somehow made our way safely to the vet but it was closed. I couldn't take her back and put her on the street so I took her home, gave her a bath, food and began treating her mange. That was 6 years ago and I can't imagine life without her. We still struggle with a chronic skin condition that often leaves her looking pretty bad but to me she's the most beautiful thing in the world. We both ignore the looks we get as we walk proudly down the street. She thinks she's special and so do I!


Kelle Rivers
Mae Sot, Thailand