This is a photo of my daughters and our pit bull Trixie, having a sleepover in the living room. Trixie was a stray living in a vacant lot. Wiley, she was able to evade all efforts to capture her until she spotted my husband with the word “sucker” written across his forehead and trotted right on up to him. And that’s how we got a third dog. – Anne S.

This is of happier times. Left to right Kathryn with Roxie, Paul with Sidewinder, Shane with Paige (daughter) and Beethoven. – Anne Marie

Lisa and Sir Digby Chicken Caesar. Digby came from the Rowan County, NC, pound. He’s the kind of impulsive, over-exuberant dog who jumps all over potential adopters and gets labeled a “behavior problem” at many pounds. Fortunately for Digby, he ended up jumping on the right person, and now he’s in training to be an agility and flyball dog. – Lisa

A girl and her dog. R.I.P., Rosie, May 8, 2002-March 23, 2015. A very good dog. – Claire

Gladys, a 15-year-old deaf cat owner-surrendered to the shelter, embracing my arm shortly after joining my family in August. Any time I pet her, she grabs my arm like this. – Leslie in San Lorenzo, CA

Harry whom I rescued from certain death at Worcester County Animal Control, is the most lovable and dignified soul. He loves to snuggle and be carried around in a sling while you do chores. I love him so much. – Susanne

My son Zak and my rescued pit bull type dog Jenny. I pulled Jenny from animal control where I vol to save her from being killed in July 2011. I intended to foster her but failed as a foster and adopted her myself. She is one of the loves of my life! – Susanne

Here is a photo of me saying “see ya later!” to a shelter dog on his way to a rescue foster home. I put out a call for help (as a shelter volunteer) for this little guy, now named Rocco, as he was getting overlooked at the shelter and his spirit was dying. Rocco was adopted by his foster family because he immediately deeply bonded with the husband. They adore him and send me pictures of him often. I love this picture of us! – Jenn

SPCA of Brazoria County (Texas) shelter employee Sam feeding an orphaned kitten. – Stacey

This is Justus, a would be Black and Tan Coonhound, probably Doberman mix, and I think he has Poodle in there somewhere. When his rescue didn’t want to keep him because he wasn’t a B&T, I adopted him at cost. He is my traveling companion and my big bud. He is a “Whineramer,” because he whines, and a Guy Magnet, because when my girlfriend kept him while I was in the store, 4 guys came up to see him…..Justus also still considers himself a lap dog. In this photo, he is lending support to my back. – Roberta

Bertie Woofster & Eucritta in Northern California.

This photo is of my son, Zach with former foster dog Milkshake. – Jane

Vera at her nursery in Seattle with Bruce. – Karen F.

Sometimes Indy insists on holding hands when we snuggle. – Danielle S, GA.

“Anne and Redd in West Virginia”

“Peter Masloch and (now former) shelter dog Mikey. The story of Mikey can be found here.”

“Jeanne and Midnight in Covington, NY”

“My friend Tim relaxing with Dobbs. Alpine Lake, WV” (Photo submitted by Anne D.)

“My dear friend Dennis with the love of his life, Augie. Sebastopol, CA” (Photo submitted by Anne D.)

“Lisa and Talladega, Durham, NC. Talladega was adopted from Surry Animal Rescue, Mt. Airy, NC”

“My grandmother Frances in Memphis, TN greeting her FIV+ foster Rockette saved from “the list” at Memphis Animal Services.” (Photo submitted by Angie W.)

“Me and my dogs 10 years ago, after a long walk. I’m happy to add that today, when walking the same dogs, I got stopped and asked about my ‘puppies’!” (Photo submitted by Connie.)

“Inana, AKA Banana, under a blanket in the Pacific Northwest last year. She loved to nap under soft, warm cloth and would pull and wrestle a towel or blanket into the position she wanted, even if it was on the floor in a high-traffic area or on the bed where you might accidentally sit on the innocent-looking lump. When one of us came upon her wrapped up like this, we would retrieve our already-written note and place it there for the other as a precaution.
She died this summer. She was a once-in-a-lifetime cat, and we miss her more than we can express. My condolences to all who have lost pets in any manner this year. – Karen F.”

Me with Shorty at home in Ashland City, TN. Our special needs Pit Bull/Bassett Hound boy from a litter dumped on
our road. – Karen Josephson

1/4/12 – Merlin napping with (and on!) me. Merlin is a cuddlebug who never misses an
opportunity to cuddle, even if you’re out cold and don’t realize it. Picture thanks to hubby.
– Carol in Alabama

This is Mallymkin getting her first bath at her new home about two weeks ago. She was seized, along with a pit bull puppy, from a bad situation by animal control. The puppy was adopted, but Mally languished in the shelter. Twelve years old, toothless, plagued with skin problems, her prospects were not good. But when my husband, Frank, and I saw her photo on Facebook, we fell for her and fell hard. We went to the shelter and adopted her the next day. – Denise Mulliken

My father and Chichi in TN. Chichi was a senior chihuahua at a high kill shelter. She is the light of my dad’s life. She is celebrating her rescue with her party hat on. – Andrea

Ten year old Billy Boy and rescuer, Lorie Beville, in emergency clinic. Memphis, TN. – Ona

Submitted by Karen F: Banana starts to express boredom at having her very own biped to ride.

This is a photo of me and Chloe. Chloe and her eight puppies were dumped at a high kill shelter in Merced, a rescue pleaded for a foster home and we offered ours. After the puppies were weaned and went on to their foster/forever homes we kept mom for some rest and rehab. We ended up falling in love with her and ‘failed’ at fostering : ) – Loran

“Sheldon” after 14 months in foster care with me, Dot Kirby, Yanceyville, NC. This tiny 11th hour rescue has an adopter! His new Mom will be flying from Canton,OH to NC to meet him for the very first time on Jan 8, 2014 and flying him back to his forever home.

“Dandy” – Very shy little JRT mix, another foster baby since Dec 30, 2012. She is still waiting for her forever home. – Dot Kirby, Yanceyville, NC