A few months ago, we asked some of our supporters for foster homes for six Australian Shepherds who were victims of a cruelty case.
The dogs had been kept in a chicken coop their entire lives, were under-socialized, terrified, and scheduled to be euthanized within days. In a remarkable display of support, the PAWS community came together and all of the dogs were saved hours before they were set to be put to sleep.
We knew that it would be a long road to rehabilitate such intelligent, sensitive dogs who had been shown the worst of humanity. In fact, PAWS was the only rescue group in the county who came through for these dogs. Other rescue groups believed that these dogs were “beyond hope.” But the volunteers at PAWS believed in the power of second chances and knew that our talented foster homes had the ability to perform miracles.
And what a miracle it has been to watch these dogs!
Lilly is one of the dogs we rescued from a puppy mill a few months ago.
We were thrilled to receive this letter from her. After a little TLC from one of our incredible adopters, she’s a whole new dog!
Hi everyone,
It’s me LILLY!
The first 2 photos are of ME, when I first got to my foster Mommy’s house – as you can see I was very scared and very thin and frail. Wow, now look at ME!! My new Mommy bought me a special outfit to celebrate my very first 4th of July as a “FREE” dog!!! And now as you can see, I can now sleep in a cozy bed, without a care in the world!! I’m especially happy because I’ve kinda fallen in love with Scooter! He’s very thoughtful and gentle around me and makes me feel safe. We also like to play on the bed at night before we go to sleep. He LOVES it because he can chase me around the bed and I can’t get away from him because I’m too scared to jump down by myself! But, I let him think he’s winning – you know, the male ego!!
FiFi is my big sister – when I first arrived I was a little afraid of her because she is so rambunctious and lively and it scared me a little, but now, I really like her and enjoy following her around the garden and learning from her what to sniff and smell. I love to go into my Mommy’s antique store every day and am now so brave and confident that I like to sit in FiFi’s bed in the window and watch the people go by. My Mommy is so proud of the progress that I have made and the customer’s can’t believe that I’m the same dog from just 3 months ago who used to hide in the back room in the corner under a blanket, so scared, but thinking, that if I couldn’t see the world, then no one could see/hurt me. But, I now know as long as my Mommy is close by, she’ll never let anyone hurt me, and I like that!
I also just loooooove to drive in the car, sharing the same car seat as Scooter. We go everywhere with Mommy and its great because Scooter has a lovely big and comfy dog stroller and because I have problems learning how to walk from one place to another, I get to sit in it with him and watch the world go by. I don’t even mind when people stop and pet us, although I still tend to coward away when it’s a man. It’s a bit of a tight squeeze when FiFi’s legs get tired and she decides to join us, but I don’t mind! I’m a very easy going little girl and starting to come out of my shell every day…..
Thanks everyone!!! As you can see I’m very happy nowadays! I love my new home and am starting to realize every day that maybe I won’t be leaving and can stay here forever! Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
I’ll have my Mommy send you more photos and maybe a short video of how happy I am…….
My name is Angie and I’m a 7 year old Jack-a-Bee, which is a hybrid breed of dogs developed by crossing a Jack Russell Terrier with a Beagle.
I was picked up as a stray in Tennessee, so nobody knows my story. Unfortunately I ended up at a high kill shelter and my future was almost non-existent, but my luck was about to change. I was saved by a rescue league in New England called PAWS and they put me on a truck for up north and then found me a forever home.
When I first got to my new home I would play with my cousin, Ruby, who is a Boxer/Rottweiler with a massive head. My favorite play activity was to stick my little head inside Ruby’s open mouth We would do that all day. My mom would be so nervous!
One day my human cousin Shannon was teaching me to sit. Ruby was with me but she already knew how to sit. Shannon would say “SIT” and even though Ruby was sitting, I wasn’t sure what Shannon wanted me to do. So
Ruby must have been impatient because she took her paw, put it on my rear end, and pushed me into the sitting position! Everyone said they wished they had a video camera because nobody was ever going to believe it.
At first things were going well but my walking became difficult so my mom took me to the hospital. When the x-rays came back they showed that my backside was sprayed with bullets. Everyone is wondering who would shoot such a sweet Angel?
That was the cause of my bad walking but we fixed everything up with surgery. Another happy ending for me!
Sometimes when I’m so happy I will start wagging my tail like crazy. When I wag my tail, my whole body wags, which is really cute and I love to give kisses…
Back in February, long time PAWS volunteer foster and adoption coordinator Jenn Frankavitz took in an amazing dog named Milo.
Poor little Milo was found wandering on a very busy street, cold, emaciated and without any hair due to an unknown illness. He was terrified and brought in to my vet’s office for his 10 day stray hold…
When I met Milo he was reluctant to come out of his kennel, but as soon as he smelled cookies we were best friends! He had the sweetest disposition and I knew he was well worth saving. I could tell from the look and smell that Milo had demodectic mange. I knew I had to help this guy recover from an illness that is totally preventable and without hesitation said, “Yes, I’ll take him!”
Jenn chronicled Milo’s road to recovery on a blog – and what a journey it was! In just three short months, Milo went from being a sick and emaciated stray to a happy, healthy and loving house dog.
On May 30, Milo began a new journey as he moved into his forever home.
Betsy is doing very well. We are getting in a ton of walks each day and have found a really nice Skate Park in Lincoln, RI. We have been taking her with us in the car whenever we can and she does great. Today has been a lazy day she has slept quite a lot.
She is great with everyone we have introduced her too. She is absolutely amazing in her crate, no issues at all. We have been given her a frozen Kong filled with biscuits and peanut butter and play some music when we both have to head out to work.
I’ve attached a bunch of photos and will continue to keep you updated. Hope all is well.
Evie was shot by an off-duty policeman who mistook her for a vicious Pit Bull. Now she’s living large with Meg and Eric!
Evie is adjusting very well! Mr. Pants as well!
She slept through the night, a little mumbling when Mr. Pants barks, but she quiets down quickly. Right now all three of us are resting (sleeping) in the man cave. She loves her pillow bed and blanket.
Thank you for giving us a wonderful addition to our family! She’s just an adorable beautiful girl. She sat on Eric’s lap last night as if she always belonged there! He was in dog heaven =)
It has been just about a month now since we adopted Travis for my parents and they are all doing great.
When I was visiting my parents today it is like Travis had lived there forever. He is such a good boy
He loves to look out the window and check out what is going on, on the street. He has met many of the neighborhood dogs as well as the other dogs in the family and they are all very compatible. My dad said he does really well on a leash and before we got all the snow this past week they were going on daily walks.
Coming from a large family (seven brothers and eleven grandchildren) there is always company at my parent’s home and Travis always greets everyone at the door with a wag and a toy. My parents have gotten so attached to Travis in such a short time.
Thank you both again for all your help in the adoption of Travis. He is truly the perfect pet for my parents.
Many of you will remember the story of Campbell – an elderly Weimaraner found wandering the streets sixty pounds underweight and in horrifying condition.
Now named Oliver, this incredible boy continues to thrive in what may be one of the most amazing homes we have ever found. Joanne and Gary, Oliver’s parents, have spoiled this boy rotten! He vacations with them to Florida each year and spends his free time playing with his Weimaraner brother Shadow and lounging around the house getting belly rubs.
Recently, Oliver has had more and more difficulty walking. PAWS thought the ole boy could use some hot wheels, so we sent this wheelchair from his buddies at PAWS. Joanne and Gary say he is doing great learning how to use it and it zipping around the neighborhood!
