It’s news that warms the hearts of dog lovers everywhere! More than 100 dogs were rescued last week from commercial breeding facilities – a VERY polite term for what we generally call puppy mills – scattered throughout the Midwestern United States.

The National Mill Dog Rescue brought the dogs to a large rescue facility in Peyton, CO, on Friday, beginning the arduous (but wonderful!) process of naming, evaluating, vetting and treating them. Each will be tested for heartworm and other parasites and have all their medical needs addressed. It is the first step on the road to loving forever homes.

Theresa Strader, the founder of National Mill Dog Rescue, says the dogs came from several different breeders in five different states. Most of them have spent their entire lives in cages, their sole purpose in life: producing puppies for pet stores.

“A commercial breeding dog, once it’s not producing anymore, they just kill them,” Strader told KKTV. “The bottom line is they have no future beyond that life if we don’t step in.”

National Mill Dog Rescue takes the dogs in once breeders surrender them. Although commercial dog breeding is legal, Strader believes its standards need to be improved. She says the conditions these dogs live in range from good to horrific and everything in between.

“When you see that baby in the window, when you’re playing with it and petting it, you know that puppy is its parent’s worst enemy,” said Strader of the cute pups we see in pet stores across the country.

Strader says each of the rescued mill dogs will become adoptable and, with hope, new members of loving forever families.

“These guys have a lot of life left in them and the truth is, the way I see it, it’s our fellow man who put them in this position and we owe it to them as people who love dogs to give them a happy ending.”

The National Mill Dog Rescue has rescued more than 13,200 dogs since 2007. For more information, or to look into adopting, check out their website. See the entire video of the rescue’s Colorado “homecoming” here:

The tiny trooper began life as an abused puppy in Mississippi, but she’ll be spending the rest of it in the lap of luxury with superstar NFL quarterback Peyton Manning’s family.

According to the Animal Rescue Fund of Mississipi, the small pup was rescued from a carnival worker whom rescuers came across at a county fair where she was reportedly kept in, “a garbage bag or tied with a rope around her neck, covered in fleas and infected with internal parasites.”

Once vetted, she was cleaned up, de-flea’d and fed — all while being fawned over. Apparently, the Manning family spotted her, too, and decided to adopt.

“She is now a Manning and will live life large with this superstar family,” the rescue wrote on Facebook. “Adopted pets are the best!”

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Mervin has no teeth. And he’s cranky. And he barks a lot. And his dads adore him.
Phenomenally cute, sweet story from the Dodo’s Little But Fierce!

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Louis came into rescue neglected, in need of love and affection.
Louis’ foster mom’s father had just the right touch, and it turned out he needed Louis as much as the little pup needed him.
Watch this beautiful story from the Dodo’s Soulmates.

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Sly was up and eating following emergency surgery Tuesday night. And his doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

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The dog’s forecast wasn’t so bright back when a humane officer found him in a park in Chester, PA, CBS Philadelphia reported, quoting the Providence Animal Center’s Facebook page.

“The dog was skin and bones, unable to lift his head,” the post read.

When Sly first arrived, they said, he weighed about 50 pounds, roughly half of what his healthy weight should be. His stomach and leg areas were shaved. Vets suspect he may have had a recent ultrasound or catheter.

Staffers here named the pup Sly, after favorite Philly son Sylvester Stallone and his famed character, Rocky.

“He’s a fighter,” they said.

Surgery was scheduled after X-rays determined Sly had a rope toy blocking his intestines. He was taken to an emergency facility where he received round-the-clock care. As of Wednesday morning, the pup was not only standing, but wagging his tail! He was returned to Providence Animal Center to recover.

He headed home to medical foster with Dr. Gia Croce, one of the doctors who helped save him. She and her family took him for a walk on the wet grass, using towels as slings.

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Caretakers say Sly will make a full recovery, though they found that his right eye has a corneal rupture, which may mean he’ll lose it. It is being watched and treated for now.

The Providence Animal Center Humane Officers are seeking information from local vets regarding Sly’s condition, and ultimately, his abandonment.

Anyone with information is asked to call (610) 566-1370, extension 214, or email [email protected]

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Back in November of 2017, Shey’s family surrendered him to the folks at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. The miniature poodle’s family was moving. And they weren’t taking him along. He was 14 years old.

Upon vetting him, folks at the shelter discovered that Shey was suffering from dental disease; he had just one tooth that hadn’t succumbed to rot. He also needed to be neutered. He got the medical care he needed, but seniors often languish in shelter situations. Shey was all but toothless, deaf and half-blind.

“There wasn’t exactly a line out the door of adopters waiting to meet him” wrote the folks at the Dodo.

But then Tristan showed up.

Tristan wasn’t bothered by any of the things that made Shey a less-than-attractive prospect for potential adopters. He and his mom were looking for a small dog who loved cuddles. The staff put them together and made a perfect match.

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Adopters weren’t lining up for poor Shey, whose age and special needs were daunting to most. Photo: Animal Rescue League of Iowa

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“Shey is super sweet and wants to be near people all the time,” Jessica Jorgenson, digital content coordinator for the rescue, told The Dodo.

When Shey was placed into Tristan’s lap, those on hand to see it said his face just lit up with joy! Shey, too, felt safe in the boy’s loving arms.

The adoption staff sat Tristan down and carefully explained all of Shey’s special needs. He listened just as carefully.

“He understood that Shey couldn’t hear what was going on and might not be able to see things clearly, so he was very slow with his actions,” Jorgenson said. “He was just very respectful of what Shey could and couldn’t handle.”

Tristan even pulled out his phone during the meeting to take notes about what to bring to the vet for future vaccinations! He told the staff that he had a special place in his room set up for their new family member.

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It was love at first cuddle! Photo: Animal Rescue League of Iowa

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“He was so mindful of Shey’s special needs,” Jorgenson added. “Tristan is very mature for his age and asked a ton of questions.”

Seeing how ready for a dog the young boy was, it was a no-brainer — and the fact that he was so responsible about adopting a senior dog was just another plus.

Despite the special place in Tristan’s room, Shey’s new favorite place is in Tristan’s arms!

Although the old pupper spent a few sad months waiting for a new family, Tristan is helping make up for that lost time. And lots of lost snuggles.

This little cutie is Mojo!

He’s a 9-year-old rat terrier — and he’s been through some major life changes recently.

He came in to rescue after his owner unexpectedly passed away, leaving him and his brother alone in the home. Thankfully, Tyson’s Place Animal Rescue in Jamestown, MI, brought both pups to a foster home. This rescue’s mission is extra-special; staffers here assist terminally ill people with finding new families for their dogs.

Mojo shows some signs of neglect from his previous home, and his experienced foster family is helping him learn that people are good and to trust once again.

Medically, Mojo is getting transformed, thanks to a grant from The Grey Muzzle Organization. He was neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and had complete bloodwork done. He is about to get a dental cleaning to address some rotten teeth. As he gets more comfortable, and as his medical issues are taken care of, folks are beginning to see his true personality!

Mojo, sleeping sunny-side up! What a cutie!

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He is snuggly guy who loves burrowing under blankets, sitting on your lap, and having his belly rubbed. He also loves going on walks, which is helping him shed some extra pounds! At 9 years old, he is middle-aged but still full of energy — wanting to play and excited when he sees the leash, eager to go on a walk!

He is a sweet boy who is learning to love. He would do best as the only dog in the home as he doesn’t like to share his people and enjoys being the center of attention.

That said, he does okay with other dogs while out and about and currently lives with other dogs. Like many terriers, he thinks cats are super fun to chase … so he would do best in a home without them.

Because of his past neglect issues, Mojo needs an experienced owner who understands that he needs time to learn to trust. Tyson’s Place will be with his adopter every step of the way, even offering behavioral training free of charge!

They want to set Mojo up for success with his new family!

Interested? Email [email protected] for more information.

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Freestyle-skiing Olympian Gus Kenworthy has a history of helping dogs.

Four years ago, while competing in Russia, he aided in the rescue of several stray dogs he discovered while in Sochi.

This year, he and his boyfriend, Matt Wilkas, took time out to see for themselves the horrific conditions at one of Korea’s infamous dog-meat farms and decided to take one of the dogs home and “give her the greatest life possible.”

This farm, thanks to the work of Humane Society International, is in the process of being shuttered for good. Its 90 barking residents will be taken from the frightening facility to North American, where they will find forever homes in the U.S. and Canada.

This morning Matt and I had a heart-wrenching visit to one of the 17,000 dog farms here in South Korea. Across the country there are 2.5 million dogs being raised for food in some of the most disturbing conditions imaginable. Yes, there is an argument to be made that eating dogs is a part of Korean culture. And, while don’t personally agree with it, I do agree that it’s not my place to impose western ideals on the people here. The way these animals are being treated, however, is completely inhumane and culture should never be a scapegoat for cruelty. I was told that the dogs on this particular farm were kept in “good conditions” by comparison to other farms. The dogs here are malnourished and physically abused, crammed into tiny wire-floored pens, and exposed to the freezing winter elements and scorching summer conditions. When it comes time to put one down it is done so in front of the other dogs by means of electrocution sometimes taking up to 20 agonizing minutes. Despite the beliefs of some, these dogs are no different from the ones we call pets back home. Some of them were even pets at one time and were stolen or found and sold into the dog meat trade. Luckily, this particular farm (thanks to the hard work of the Humane Society International and the cooperation of a farmer who’s seen the error of his ways) is being permanently shut down and all 90 of the dogs here will be brought to the US and Canada where they’ll find their fur-ever homes. I adopted the sweet baby in the first pic (we named her Beemo) and she’ll be coming to the US to live with me as soon as she’s through with her vaccinations in a short couple of weeks. I cannot wait to give her the best life possible! There are still millions of dogs here in need of help though (like the Great Pyrenees in the 2nd pic who was truly the sweetest dog ever). I’m hoping to use this visit as an opportunity to raise awareness to the inhumanity of the dog meat trade and the plight of dogs everywhere, including back home in the US where millions of dogs are in need of loving homes! Go to @hsiglobal’s page to see how you can help. #dogsarefriendsnotfood #adoptdontshop ❤️?

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Feb 23, 2018 at 8:10am PST

Kenworthy posted a series of photos on his Instagram, along with some heart-wrenching observations about the conditions in which he found the dogs.

“I’m hoping to use this visit as an opportunity to raise awareness to the inhumanity of the dog meat trade here in Korea and the plight of dogs everywhere, including back home in the US where millions of dogs are in need of loving homes! Go to @hsiglobal‘s page to see how you can help,” he writes.