SUCCESS STORIES****PLEASE GIVE THIS PAGE A MINUTE TO LOAD****ALSO SEE OUR RECENT ADOPTIONS PAGE ON OUR ADOPTIONS SECTION FOR LOTS MORE SUCCESSFULL RESCUE AND ADOPTIONS
Please know that we always love to receive photos and updates on our rescue animals from their new families. We have seen time and again, how great these animals truly are. All they needed was some time, some TLC, a loving family, and a place to call home.
Please be advised that should we post your animal on our Success Stories page, we may use first names and animal photos, unless you request that we do not publish this information. We will never post a last name or facial photo without your express permission to do so.
MARLEY
Marley's new mom had originally intended to purchase a boxer. She had boxers in the past and loved the breed. A resident of the Southwest Florida area, she had no idea that so many boxers were facing death in the Miami-Dade shelter. Upon learning of our rescue and the assistance we could offer to rescue a pet from the shelter, Marley's mom was positive that she wanted to save a life and adopt a shelter animal. Shortly after she was united with Marley, we received a beautiful note and many updated photos. We have included one here, along with some of her wonderful words about Marley. She also intends to adopt another boxer with our assistance and Marley should have a sister to play with soon.
Thank you to Marley's mom Sandra, for making a difference!!
"Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how marvelous having Marley as a huge part of our family is.. he is a true delight and I swear..we couldnt have found a better behaved...more loving and attentive baby if we had paid $1000 .... he is so fantastic and is so willing to please.. we love him totally...God Bless and Please Keep in Touch"
LEXI
"You're so special to us and I want to thank you 100 times over for Lexi.
I hope I can help in your quest to give forgotten yet deserving dogs loving homes"
Lexi's new mom Jessica was so thrilled with her boxer rescue dog, that her mom adopted a rescued boxer with our Shelter Rescue assistance soon afterward!! Everyone is happily settling in on the west coast.
Thank you to Jessica and B.J. for making a difference!!
TESLA
"She is very loving and playful around the house
and with our other dog Nixon, a Yorkshire Terror. She is really smart and has a beautiful temperament ........We couldn’t be happier. Thank you so much for everything!"
Tesla was one of a litter of puppies that were only days old when they were rescued from the shelter along with their mother. All of them were going to be euthanized. Thanks to a foster volunteer, the puppies and their mom found loving, caring homes.
Thank you to Tesla's parents, Matthew & Corrine
for making a difference!!
BOOKER
Booker was rescued from the shelter on the day he was to be euthanized and he was called Nuke at the time. We were contacted by an amazing young woman in the Ft. Myers area who wrote "I don't want to adopt a dog that i know someone else will... I want to adopt a dog that NEEDS me " We found Booker in the shelter and he was out of time; we called her, and without hesitation she told us she would give him a home. 
What a precious little guy and an amazing new mom.
"He is getting settled in just fine... He is such a cuddle bug... I don't see how someone didn't want him... Check him out... all bathed, nails clipped, ear mite meds, capstar and heart wormed.... :)"
Thank you to Courtney for making a difference!!!
WINSTON
Winston was formerly known as Matty. He was saved from euthanasia at the Miami shelter by a truly terrific family. They had spotted Winston on the shelter's website and couldn't get him out of their minds and were trying to figure out how to schedule a trip to Miami to adopt him. Our rescue group had seen that Winston had sat there for too long and had no adopters while many other shih tzu's had come and gone and we knew he was out of time. We put in a rescue hold and posted for an adopter for him, and his family saw our post and knew it was meant to be. He was rescued from the shelter, spent the night at the vet recovering from his neuter surgery, brought to Southwest Florida the next day where he was groomed expertly by All Dogs Hair Haven in Naples and then delivered to his new family in Cape Coral. He now has a new mom and dad, great kids who love him and 3 other rescue dog mates. He is truly a success story and so adorable!
"I just wanted to let you know that he IS the sweetest little guy! Everyone in my family has fallen in love with him and we are the ones who are lucky to have received him........I also had to let you know that we have not heard him bark yet, but he did growl at a few people last night!!! It was quite funny.... He puffed up like he was a Rotti and not 5 pounds of skin and bones!..........We love him soooo much already!"
Thank you to Joanne and her amazing family for making a difference!!!
BUDDY
Buddy is a beautiful 2 year old mastiff who was saved by our rescue group from euthenasia at the shelter. Buddy had an adopter lined up and they returned him the next day saying he didn't like cats. Buddy then had a second adopter lined up and it fell through becuase they said Buddy would not get along with their dog. Buddy then had a third adopter lined up and it fell through. We thought perhaps Buddy needed some work on his social skills, although we had never seen him anything but sweet and loving. We were fortunate to place Buddy in foster care with one of our volunteer families who had kids, several cats, and several other dogs in the house. Buddy was happy and at home from the moment he walked in the door. A few weeks later, Buddy was officially adopted by this amazing family. It turns out Buddy was quite social; he gets along great with everyone and all of the other animals; he was simply waiting for the right family and we are so happy for Buddy that they found each 
other.
A week before his adoption, Buddy's new mom, who was his foster mom at the time said "I don't want to give this big guy up!!" Well, she didn't..... and we know Buddy will always be wanted, cared for and loved.
Thank you to Jen and Martha for making a difference!!
CHANCE
Chance is an American Bulldog that you may recognize as our new official mascot at the top of each page. Chance was rescued from the shelter on an early medical release and he was extremely emaciated and weighing only 39 pounds. He was filled with tics, fleas, 2 types of worms and had a skin infection. After spending time being cared for by a foster family and receiving vet treatment and neuter surgery, Chance was adopted weighing nearly 70 and extremely healthy. Chance is an amazing dog who makes you happy just to be around him. He now is part of a family and is living with and loved by 2 great new parents, a sister dog and 4 terific kids who he adores.
" WE LOVE HIM!!! All is well and he is really happy. He loves to play outside with the kids and he is so gentle with them. He sleeps in our oldest son's bed every night and naps in there sometimes too. I feel like he's always been here....... He is an angel!!! So sweet and loving. I can't get over how cautious he is around the smaller kids. He never knocks them over and seems to be aware of how little they are."
Thank you to Stephanie, Abe and the kids for making a difference...and to sister dog Allie too!
EMMA
Emma is a 2 year old Belgian Malinois that was rescued from the shelter on the day she was to be euthanized. Emma was only in foster care for one day when she went to live with a new foster family on a trial adoption basis. Well, Emmy stole their hearts in no time at all and Emma now has a forever home. 
There will also be a new baby girl in the family soon and Emma will have one more person to love.
Thank you to Cara and her family for making a difference!!
"Emma is doing great. We love her."
GIZMO
We were contacted by a young woman who wanted to adopt a shih tzu who was out of time at the shelter with our Shelter Rescue assistance. She had a shih tzu growing up and wanted to save the life of one who was going to be euthanized at the shelter. We worked together and Gizmo was saved and is now in a great home and we couldn't be happier for them both.
"He is so well behaved! He hasnt gone potty in the house once! Whenever, i say "want to go for a walk" he runs right to the door and gets really excited........Thank you so so much! I cant even begin to tell you how happy i am to have him here!!"
Thank you to Whitney for making a difference!!!
CODY
Cody is an 9 month old Labrador Retriever/Beagle mix who was rescued from the shelter Cody was very, very thin when he left the shelter and needed to be fostered to gain some much needed weight. Animal Services reports that Cody was found locked in an abandoned house and he had some wounds on him that appeared as if he may have gotten them trying to escape from the locked house. Cody also developed kennel cough and had to be treated at the all night animal hospital shortly after his release. Cody spent some time in a great foster home, received fabulous vet care, made a full recovery and was adopted int
o a great home.
Thank you to Christine for making a difference!!!
LINDA
Linda is a 1 year old mixed terrier who was rescued from the shelter. We were contacted by a gentleman in Englewood who had heard that he could adopt a dog and save a life using our Shelter Rescue assistance. We visited the shelter several times looking for just the right dog for him, and then we found little Linda, who was called Splenda at the time. 
Unbelievable that no one had adopted this adorable, sweet and playful little girl, but there she sat without attention and going to be euthanized. Due to special circumstances, we brought Linda to Wayne's home by transporting her from Miami to Englewood with the assistance of 5 different volunteers. 
"My other 2 dogs are nuts about her....she slept in my arms last nite as it was the only way we chould get any sleep from the other 2 ....she is the boss of the house she sleeps in the bed with me if anybody trys to get next to me she goes after them.... her and max the big one play all the time.... she jumps rite on top of him and chews any place she can get...she is a trip"
Thank you Wayne for making a difference!!
JUSTICE
Justice is a 1 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix who was rescued from the shelter suffering with a skin condition called sarcoptic mange which is caused by mites. After being treated for the sarcoptic mange and kennel cough at the animal hospital for a couple of weeks, Justice joined her foster family as she healed further and grew her missing hair back. Justice is a little sweetheart and doesn't have a mean bone in her body and we knew she would be perfect for any family. After being in foster care for just a month, she was adopted by a great young family with a 2 year old son and they all fell in love with her in an instant. 
"Justice is doing sooo well... my husband adores her! And my son thinks shes the funniest thing. She fits in so well. I want to thank you for calling me and letting me meet her and adopt her, we couldnt have asked for a more perfect addition to our little family"
Thank you to Shannon and Eugene for making a difference!!!
SUNSHINE
Sunshine is a 14 month old shepherd/lab mix who was rescued from the shelter. She was hit by a car and both of her front legs were broken. One was broken in 2 places. 
She remained in foster care until she was fully healed and then she was adopted by a great mom and her daughter who told us that they saw in her eyes how special she was. Animal Planet followed her story and she will be on an upcoming show of Miami Animal Cops this season. She will always walk with a limp on one of her front legs, but she is in no pain and runs around like a nut! What a little miracle and we are all so happy for our little Sunshine.
"Sunshine is doing great... She seems to have made the transition without any major depression.......Working on a few bad habits like stealing food off the counter...but she is very smart and catches on quick. She loves everyone and gets along with all the neighbor dogs......She really is a sweetie and we love her."
Thank you to Kim and Madison for making a difference!!
HARLEY
Harley (formerly known as Bam and then Lucas) is a 3 year old male miniature schnauzer who was rescued from euthanasia at the shelter. It is hard to believe that this little cutie went unnoticed, but there are over 400 dogs each day in the shelter and little Lucas needed our rescue help after being in there for 10 days. Lucas spent a little time in foster care and then was adopted by a great family in Northport who have another schnauzer and a child for Harley to love.
"Lucas is just wonderful! We've actually renamed him Harley.......We are so blessed to have him in our family and I thank you very much for giving us the opportunity."
Thank you to Jennifer and family for making a difference!!!
RUXBY
Ruxby is a 2 month old kitten who was rescued from the shelter using our Shelter Rescue assistance. We were contacted by a woman who was looking for a short haired orange kitten and we made arrangements to place a rescue hold on the kitten of her choosing at the shelter. 
He was to receive his neuter surgery and then be released to us. As we tell all potential adopters, an adoption in person will always supercede a rescue hold at the shelter, but this had only happened to us once. Well, now it has happened to us twice. As we were just about at the shelter we got a call from one of the shelter employees. Someone had just come in and adopted the kitten we were going to pick up!! To make a long story short, the kitten had a brother still in the shelter who looked exactly like him! We contacted the adopter, she looked at his picture online and two kittens found a home that day!!!
"He is a sweetheart and so cute.....I love him, he is adorable"
Thank you Connie for making a difference!
LUKE
Luke is an 11 month old American Bulldog with a paw malformation who was rescued from the shelter (where he was known as Dopey). 
We had received a plea from the shelter to please help Luke be rescued because he was such a special dog with such a great personality. One of our volunteers had met Luke a few days prior in the shelter and she agreed 100%. We did not have any available foster homes at the time Luke was in the shelter and facing euthanasia and we posted for a Superhero Needed as an Adopter or Foster for him. We had a couple of potential foster applicants for Luke and then we received a letter from a true Superhero. He wanted to adopt Luke and give him a permanent home! We were so thrilled for Luke and began the process of his shelter rescue. Shortly before his release from the shelter Luke came down with kennel cough and we offered to foster him until he was well. His new dad said that his current dogs were fully vaccinated and he would give Luke whatever care he needed. Luke was rescued and went home with his adopter to Southwest Florida, although he was not able to be neutered prior to his release because of his kennel cough. Luke was transported back to the east coast where he returned to the shelter for his surgery a few weeks later. What a celebrity he was. We think every worker at the shelter made it a point to visit Luke that day he returned to the shelter. Luke is living with 3 other dogs, including his favorite playmate Beau and he has the best home and the best dad anyone could ask for.
LUKE WITH ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEER FAMILIES ON HIS RETURN RIDE TO THE SHELTER FOR HIS SURGERY.
LUKE AT HIS NEW HOME
"He's doing well, my alpha has taken to him with open arms. I watch them play and it seems as if they were separated at birth, Luke puts up a pretty darn good fight for being one leg short........He's the best dog ever. Everyone that meets him just absolutely adores him."
Thank you to Kyle for making a difference!!
BELLA
Bella is a beautiful 1 to 2 year old American Bulldog that was rescued from the shelter. She was thrown out of a moving car on the highway and had road rash on one side of her body. Bella was seen at a vet and then traveled to her foster home to recover. Bella became very ill a few days after arriving at her foster home. She spent a couple of days at the emergency vet hospital very ill and then returned to her very loving foster mom to complete her medications and recovery. 
After Bella had made a complete recovery and spent some time in foster care she was adopted by a wonderful couple, who will never allow beautiful Bella to be harmed again.
"Bella is doing great. We love her."
Thanks to Carissa and Josh for making a difference!!!
Roxy is a four year old boxer who was rescued from the shelter. Roxy is a great dog and was quickly by a wonderful family, but it turned out not to be the right home for Roxy. Roxy was adopted into a family with 3 other dogs. The adoptive family came to discover that Roxy was a true alpha female around the other dogs, and she also did not want to share the parents attention with the other dogs who lived in the home. If one of the other dogs was getting some affection, Roxy would push her way in because she wanted the attention instead. 
Roxy was placed into foster care with one of our volunteers who had no other dogs. After a period of time, the two became quite bonded with each other and Roxy was adopted by her foster mom!
When Roxy's foster mom notified us that she would like to adopt her she said "I just hate the thought of her not being treated as I treat her. She has just gotten my heart and she has bonded to me as well"
Thank you to Michelle for making a difference.