Bonnie B. & Pika
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"My dog's name is Pika and I adopted her in November of 2020. She is about 5 years old. I adopted her from a rescue called Happily Furever After, which I found through Petfinder. I emailed the contact, spoke with the rescue over the phone, and scheduled a meet up. I later took Pika home to foster her and test it out.
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I have always adopted, and I feel that there are so many great dogs in need of homes. The only criteria I had when looking to adopt a new dog was that she was in a foster home with other dogs and cats without issue (no toy/food aggression). Otherwise, I was open to any breed, color, etc.
Pika is so full of joy and a little mischeivious, too. She filled my heart again, as I had lost both of my dogs in 2020--one to old age and another to cancer. My heart was broken, but Pika is such a happy dog, and I can't help but be happy too.
Take time to get to know the dog. Each dog is different and deserving, but they need time, and sometimes a little training. In the end, however, love truly makes all the difference."
Crystie R.
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"My dog's name is Taz. I officially adopted Taz in May of 2015 when he was roughly a year old; he’s about 7 now. On a cold, rainy afternoon in January, a man brought him into the convenience store I managed to ask if I knew who his owner was. I ended up taking him home that evening because the owner didn’t show up. Three days later, I saw the owner and returned the dog to him. The dog started to run away often to visit me and I later learned that he would escape from his abusive home to seek comfort in me. When his owner would come to get him, he'd hide behind me shaking in fear. It was heartbreaking.
A few months later, a town official asked me if I would adopt the dog because the neighbors were complaining of abuse. I took him home that day. There is too much animal abuse in this world, so I decided to do my part and adopt instead of shopping for a dog. But in our case, I didn’t choose the dog, Taz adopted me. He has been our boy for six years now and has gone from our cuddle bug to our home’s protector. He loves us more than he loves food!
Many people don’t realize everything a dog rescue does for their animals. They are rescued from their previous life, fully vetted, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and microchipped. All of this costs over a thousand dollars, but most rescues charge a fee of just a few hundred dollars. Most rescues will also set you up with a professional dog trainer and do background checks to make sure they fit you with a dog that matches your lifestyle. Rescues want all of their animals to go to forever homes. It is devastating for a rescue to have an animal returned to them and is very traumatic for the dog. Rescuing a dog creates a special bond between the dog and you as well. The dog is forever grateful that you saved its life and will devote itself to you."
In addition to Taz, Crystie has rescued a puppy from an online rescue, as well as an adult dog who was a Hurricane Sandy survivor from another rescue she found online. Jamie, her husband, rescued a puppy found stranded in a parking lot, and together, they rescued an Akita from a very abusive home and fostered for a dog rescue. Crystie is affiliated with A-Team Elite, a New York-based German Shepherd Dog rescue organization.
Nick Z. & MJ
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"My dogs' names are MJ and Muffin. I adopted them at two separate times. MJ came to me before Muffin, during the summer of 2019. I adopted MJ from ACC, and I adopted Muffin from Animal Haven NYC.
My mom usually finds our dogs on adoption websites, but she found MJ when she walked into ACC, and found Muffin in a Facebook story and a CNN story about 15-16 chihuahuas being hoarded and homeless due to their owners dying of COVID-19. My mom has always rescued animals, and when I was four years old, we adopted our first dog named Laroooo (with four o's). She was a Beagle. My dog Laroooo was cute and friendly and loved kisses and belly rubs. Muffin is a chihuahua who is extremely cute and has a slight disability in her front paws. MJ loves running and long walks.
My rescue dogs allow me to calm down when I'm distressed, and they are just great companions. I would recommend adopting a dog who is roughly 3-6 years in age, as too young might require training and too old might be expensive when it comes to medications and any necessary medical attention. Also, middle aged dogs are usually trained or can be trained easier than a puppy or an older dog."
Mackie & Leia
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"My dog's name is Leia. I adopted her in December of 2020 and she is approximately 3-4 years old. I got her from a friend through the Upper West Side & Scarsdale animal group on Facebook.
My previous dog died at the beginning of the pandemic, and after a few months, I wanted another dog. I was very lonely, but I couldn't find one anywhere because so many people were adopting dogs at the time. I filled out dozens of applications and by the time I heard back from anyone, I was told that the dog had already been adopted.
I saw Leia on the Upper West Side & Scarsdale Facebook page and jumped on it. I was immediately drawn to her picture on Facebook. Leia has changed my life and brought me so much happiness. I wasn't going out much during the pandemic because I had no dog to walk, but since I got Leia, I take her on long walks and bring her everywhere I go.
Adopting a dog is the best thing you could ever do!"
Sharon S. & Weezie
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"When I was a kid we got our dog Lexie from a rescue and she was the most incredible dog. Although most people have very strong connections with their dogs, I always felt that our connection was beyond normal. I knew that the hardships she had gone through before she came to us made her so eternally grateful for our love and comfort. She gave it back in leaps and bounds. I always knew I wanted to rescue again when I could.
One day, I learned of a dog at the Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue. She was a beautiful 7-month-old Golden Retriever. I thought she looked perfect. In fact, almost too perfect. I assumed she was bought from a breeder and sold to a Long Island family and then given up when she was no longer a puppy. But I later learned that most of the dogs at this rescue come from places like Louisiana and the Carolinas. If it weren’t for these rescue groups, almost all would be killed. She told me this beautiful dog was a stray in Louisiana and was days away from being euthanized when someone alerted the rescue about her.
After hearing her story, I felt sure that she was supposed to be part of our family. Weezie was the most energetic, happy, loving, sweet, silly, and charming Golden I had ever met. She was absolutely beautiful and had experienced a lot in her first 7 months; she knew she was finally home.
We named her Weezie because she came from Lou..weeez...e-Anna. She is unique and special and very mischievous. We have enjoyed her every day since."
Noah B. & Bobby
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"My dog's name is Bobby and I adopted her when she was between 6-9 months old. She is about three or four now. Bobby was a rescue from Alabama, and was brought to the ASPCA in New Jersey.
My parents met her then and adopted her later that week. We decided to adopt Bobby because we had an old family dog who passed the previous summer and an older dog who wasn't very playful. Our home needed cheerful puppy energy.
The private pet trade often breeds poor practice and faulty ethics, so adoption was the only option. Bobby has been an amazing emotion companion and helped through several instances of emotional, physical and psychological health issues.
Adopting a dog is not only beneficial for the animal, but studies have proven the many ways in which humans benefit from caring for an animal as well."
Emily W. & Katama
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"My dog's name is Katama, after a neighborhood on Martha's Vineyard where we vacation. We adopted Katama five years ago. We think she was around four when we adopted her so she's now around nine years old. She was originally surrendered to the ACC in Manhattan. They often euthanized pit bull-type dogs, but thankfully her disposition was so great that she was pulled by a rescue organization called Amsterdogs.
She was being fostered in Purchase, NY, but the woman fostering her fell ill. As a result, her mother, thinking the dog had already been adopted by her daughter, brought her to the Westchester Humane Society. There they scanned her and realized she was still under Amsterdog's organization. We had been fostering for Pet Rescue in Harrison and I learned of her story through Facebook one day. Something about her made me reach out. So we decided to foster her for just a week or so and picked her up in New Rochelle. Initially, we were unsure about having such a large dog; she was 82 pounds when we met her. But she was just so perfect in every way.
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We had always wanted a dog, but it had to be the right dog. We had a brindle pit bull when we lived in NYC, but she died when my older daughter was about one. We never entertained the idea of purchasing a dog. And never will. There are way too many amazing dogs that need homes that we will always open our home to rescue dogs. I've always wanted pit bulls. They are amazing dogs and so misunderstood. My husband discovered the breed through me, and now he's hooked.
She is that bomb-proof dog you want. My kids paint Katama's nails and stick their fingers in every orifice and she just is unperturbed. When we go on vacation, my 86 year old mother-in-law will often babysit in her retirement community. She gets a lot of attention walking such a large pit bull! Katama is our therapy dog. She is so calm and mellow. I think her nature just shines through. She's a wonderful ambassador for her breed.
My advice for someone who wants a dog but has never adopted one before would be to just do it! Save a dog. I think rescued dogs feel so appreciative that they have been saved. They also have fewer health issues because mixed breeds tend to be less at risk for hip dysplasia and other illnesses. Adopting an older dog is so much easier, as well. They are past that puppy phase and many are already trained."
Dorothy H. & Sparky
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"My dog's name is Sparky. I got Sparky in July of 2019 when he was 16 weeks old. He is part pit bull from Mississippi. I came across his picture on Instagram in a tag that I follow. It was posted by Compassionate Animal Rescue of Dutchess County. He appealed to me because he looks like a dog I had when I was in college.
My husband had told me shortly before I saw the Instagram picture that he was ready to adopt a dog. Sparky is my life during COVID. I walk with him several times a day and take him for long walks in state parks on the weekends. It is so much more rewarding to walk when you're with a dog. He idolizes me. We had to toilet train Sparky and teach him to walk on a leash. He is a very sweet dog, but at 75 pounds very strong. I adore him.
My advice to someone looking to adopt a dog would be to only adopt if you are comfortable financially. The vet bills, even for routine care, are high. Expect to spend a lot of time each day walking your dog. If you like a dog but it barks all the time, keep looking until you find the one that fits your lifestyle and personality."
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Learn more about Sparky's story on Instagram @sparkyheyldepietro
Lana & Sheba
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"My dog's name is Sheba. She is about 4.5 to 5 years old, and she's been with me for a year. I adopted Sheba from Trina and Friends K-9 rescue. While working from home during the 2020 lockdown, I made a decision to adopt a dog. Trina and Friends came up during my online research.
After speaking to them about another dog, I was told about Sheba and her story. I grew up around German shepherds and had one later in life. I love this breed for its loyalty, intelligence and agility. I was very aware of the number of dogs that end up in shelters and I made a decision to adopt.
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Sheba's story is heartbreaking, and after a terrible life with her previous owners, she spent the next two years at the rescue I got her from. Sheba took to me immediately. She is very loving and playful, always by my side, protective and loyal. She has severe anxiety when left alone, and she’s not friendly with other dogs, but I never expected this experience to be easy.
Even though it certainly has its challenges, it is extremely gratifying to know she’s loved. For those looking to adopt, I would tell them that it is a huge commitment and it won’t be easy to gain the trust of a neglected, abused, and, in Sheba's case, abandoned dog. It will take all of your time and patience, but it’s well worth the effort. You’re literally saving a life. I was told many times that I was Sheba’s last chance, and I truly believe the experience is life-changing for you as well."
Laura H., Shea & Joe
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"My first dog's name is Shea. She is an English Setter/Australian Cattle Dog mix who came to me from South Carolina. Her mother came into a shelter pregnant; Shea and her two brothers were born there. It was a high kill shelter and the family was in real danger of being euthanized. Fortunately, Pet Rescue in Harrison brought the family up north and everyone found loving homes.
We wanted a dog for a long time, but we had a cat who was terrified of dogs. After she passed, we decided to adopt a dog. I found Shea through petfinder.com. We adopted her in fall 2016; she will turn 5 this summer.
Our other dog, Joe, came to us two years ago. I was looking for a companion for Shea and learned about him on Facebook. We don’t know how old he is but we think he’s 6 or 7 years old. Joe was terribly abused. He was found wandering in the woods in Oklahoma, with his mouth tied shut. He was starving and full of parasites.
We aren’t certain about what happened to him, but dogfighting rings are known to steal docile pets and use them as bait for the fighting dogs. Their mouths are tied shut so they can’t fight back. Joe is a pure-bred Australian Shepherd and was rescued by Australian Shepherds Furever, which has a national network of volunteers and fosters. It took months to rehabilitate him. He’s not aggressive...he just gets frightened easily. It’s taken a while, but Joe is totally comfortable with us now. And, despite what he’s been through,
he loves people and other dogs.
Of course, we were drawn to Shea because she was an adorable puppy. She also is my husband’s first dog. When we met Joe, we loved his gentleness and sweetness. He is an old soul. We also wanted to take care of him and ensure no one would ever hurt him again.
And, they’ve saved us just as we’ve saved them.
Nothing compares to the unconditional love, loyalty, and comfort they provide. We’d save many more animals if we could.
They are important members of our family."
Iris R. & Dylan
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"Our dog's name is Dylan. He is 15 years old and we adopted him 9-10 years ago. He is from Kansas and we found him on petfinder. First we met him online and then in person after a transport.
We have always adopted dogs, since we want to give homeless animals a home, love, and some joy. They give our lives fulfillment and more love than you could ever imagine!
Make sure you research what owning a dog entails to ensure you can handle having essentially a toddler around for the rest of their life."
Jeff & Astra G. & Lola
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"Our dog's name is Lola. We adopted her in September of 2019 from Brookhaven Animal Shelter, and she is 5-7 years old. We met our rescue when our cousin, who was driving home from work, called us at midnight to ask us if we could do her a favor as she was right outside our front door. The "favor" was to hold a stray dog she found wandering in front of our house.
The dog had matted hair, smelled, and had a very bad skin infection. When we brought her in the kitchen, she ran back and forth between us; she seemed really happy. We gave her water and some peanut butter and decided to put up a gate in the kitchen, as we would bring her to be checked for a microchip in the morning. When we left the kitchen, she started whimpering, and when we checked on her, she would stop. That happened 2 or 3 more times, and it was pulling on our heart strings.
We decided to take her to the local 24-hour animal hospital to confirm if she was microchipped. She was not, and New York law requires a three day stray hold. We were not quite ready to adopt a dog as we had to put our previous dog down the month prior. However, the next morning, we decided that if no one claimed her, we would name her Lola. She is definitely a Lola. We anxiously waited and called the shelter daily for updates. The rest is history.
We were still mourning the loss of our other dog, but when we saw her unconditional love from the very first second, we realized she needed us just as much as we needed her. It was fate. She has filled our lives with so much joy, happiness, and plenty of love. She has become a total daddy's girl.
Dog ownership is a tremendous responsibility which you will be rewarded for 10 times over. it is important to adopt a dog that matches your lifestyle. Also, you must commit to whatever type of training is necessary such as house breaking and walking on a leash. "Dogs have the ability to sense your emotions, and their unconditional love will comfort you in the hardest of times.
Liz K. & Annie
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"Our dog's name is Annie and she is 10 years old. We found her on petfinder.com and adopted her from Golan Hearts Dog Rescue in April of 2011. She was one of eight puppies. After we completed an application and a rigorous interview, we were assigned the third spot to meet the puppies. We went into someone's kitchen and there were five puppies in a pen. We played with the puppies and Annie picked us.
I knew I wanted a dog and waited until the kids were in first and second grade. I had been working at a startup company and sometimes worked at the CEO's house. He had three dogs that would greet me when I went there. I missed having a dog. I was working from home and knew I could take care of a dog.
Annie is a lab mix. We saw a photo of her and her siblings in a crib. They were so cute! We knew we wanted a female dog because she would be a little smaller and easier to take care of. The kids agreed on Annie.
We love our rescue dog! Although, having a dog is a big commitment. Dogs provide amazing companionship and unconditional love. They are a lot of work (walking, medical attention, care when we go away, etc.). However, they are worth all the effort. Annie forces us to get out and walk every day. We've made friends with neighbors who have dogs. Our dog brightens our day."
Sue H. & Sammy
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"Our dog's name is Sammy. He is 13 years old and we adopted him 13 years ago from Pet Rescue. Sammy came for a visit to our home for a weekend in January and the rest is history.
We had another dog who passed away about nine months prior, and we missed the energy a dog brings to a home. We needed to have a dog who was hypoallergenic and who would be good with kids. Sammy fit the bill, and he was super energetic and sweet. He is part of our family, and he is always hanging with us and brings us happiness and comfort.
I believe that an adopted dog is more faithful and appreciative than any other dog. They know you saved them and gave them a second chance."
Lynn C. & Indiana (Indy)
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Our dog's name is Indiana (Indy), and we did a foster to adopt starting on August 29, 2020. He's about 4 1/2 years old. We adopted Indy from PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society, Inc.) in Norwalk, CT. My husband was a volunteer there and told them we were on the lookout for a smallish dog. We had recently lost our family dog and were hoping to find our next furbaby. We got the email at the end of August that a dog was about to come into the shelter. We didn’t imagine adopting so soon after our dog died, but one look at his picture and we were in love!
We have always helped the shelters in one way or another, either through donations or volunteering. There are so many dogs out there who by no fault of their own are either surrendered or dumped somewhere. They are the ones you need to bring into your family, they need the second chance.
If you could see what he looked like when we first got him, he was all hair and a big black nose. But there was something in his eyes that made us want to see him and meet him. We went on a Friday afternoon to meet him and then the very next day, we went up and took him home.
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Indy has brought us such joy! He is so funny and so loving. We now have squeaky toys all over our house. He is extremely attached to me. I have never had a dog love me so, it’s beautiful. He is still warming up to our immediate family, but a lot of that is probably based on whatever happened to him in the past. He also has some health issues we’ve been dealing with, but we love him so much, we adopted him anyway. It makes me cry to think what he must have been going through before, and his health issues are probably the reason he was “dumped”.
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Please consider adopting from a shelter. They may not be a designer or pure breed, but the love you will get from your rescue dog can never compete. They are so grateful to be saved and they know you are their rescuers. Their love is unconditional. And they need a second chance. We will always adopt, we promised ourselves that.
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