Prince, say volunteers and staffers at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in New York say that Prince, who has been with them for 5 five months, is doing wonderful with his obedience training. But come night time, he has THEM trained!

You see, since he arrived at the upstate New York animal shelter, getting tucked in is an important source of comfort. Some people may find it surprising, but pit bulls are a very emotional and sensitive breed.

“Every night at closing, if someone gets into his kennel and gives him a toy, he climbs right into bed and waits to be tucked in with a blanket,” Mohawk Hudson Humane Society spokeswoman Marguerite Pearson said in a statement to InsideEdition.com.

She explained Prince can get nervous at the shelter, but tucking him in every night helps keep the animal calm and situates him to his environment.

“When he first arrived, Prince was terrified,” she explained. “He stayed curled up in a ball, shaking in the back of his kennel. Staff and volunteers started working with him, and slowly but surely, he came out of his shell.”

Prince came to the shelter back in April. His owner, unable to care for him, gave Prince to his girlfriend, but Prince slipped his collar, ran away and ended up in lock-up, attempts by the staff to reach her went unanswered.

“We followed up, expecting that she would come to redeem him, but she never did,” Pearson said.

Pearson said they’re now looking to find Prince a new home, and spent the last several months training him to sit and drop a toy on command.

“[Staff has] been taking him on outings and showering him with affection, which he loves. And he gives it right back,” she said. “He’s very smart and people-oriented.”

Pearson explained the 2-year-old pit bull would do best in a home where he’s the only animal, and when he gets to know you, “his loving personality shines and he becomes a real love bug.”

To find out more about Prince, visit the shelter’s website.

Christian Shenouda was going to buy a dog, but when someone told him he should visit a shelter to adopt instead, it seemed like a good idea. That’s where he met, and fell in mutual forever-love, with a pittie mix named Ray. Shenouda told The Dodo’s Pittie Nation that Ray’s winning smile won him over, and Shenouda found himself quickly becoming something of a pit bull ambassador. His relationship with Ray made him want to share his experience and show the world what wonderful companions this misunderstood dogs can be.

Like the rest of the world’s adoption proponents, Shenouda (sadly!) could nto adopt all the dogs, but as a photographer, he found he could donate some time to helping shelters — so often overwhelmed with the sheer numbers they have to move through their system — getting better photos of their residents, images that capture their winning pibble personalities far more accurately than the sad snapshots so often taken when they first come through the shelter doors.

Since then, Shenouda’s photos have helped countless dogs – pups just like his own beloved Ray – find their loving forever homes. He also does photo sessions for families, too, capturing pups and their people in beautiful moments they will cherish.

“Ever since I adopted my rescue pup Ray, it’s been puppy love ever since!” Shenouda writes on his website. “Dogs inspire us to live life to the fullest and there’s nothing I love more than to capture and share those moments!”

Check out Christian’s website here!

A note about dogs who smile….

Animal behaviorists have noted dog “smiles” to be a submissive gesture of appeasement, one that shows you and other people that he or she is non-agressive, not a threat. Submissive grins, in dog-speak, are a way to show deference to another individual. Generally, say experts, these grins are associated with increased movement and a body posture that is lower than the dog’s normal stance (remember when Ray was belly-crawling for his boiled chicken?).

Ninei’s story started as a sad one, but the we here at LWD (along with her advocates at Saving Paws Rescue Arizona!) are determined to turn that around.

Ninei is a beautiful, sweet, loving, 9-year-old German shepherd dog who was dumped at a high-kill shelter because her family was moving. She had spent her whole life with that family and was understandably frightened and confused with this sudden change. As a new grantee from the Grey Muzzle Organization, the folks at Saving Paws just couldn’t let this beautiful girl get overlooked!

From the rescue:

Ninei is the most adorable, fluffiest girl you’ll ever meet. She loves everyone and appreciates hanging out with her people and resting in a comfy dog bed. Her foster parents say she does great with their male GSD. She’s a social and mellow girl, yet her inner-pup still shines through at playtime. She loves going for walks, starting out fast and energetic, then slowing up after about a mile.

She appears to be fine around older children and other dogs, although we’re not sure how she would react to cats

She knows some commands and is a very well-behaved girl. It helps that she is treat-driven, which makes training super easy. She has the face of an angel and the sweetest expressions.

Saving Paws only adopts within their home state of Arizona. If you live there and are interested in showing Ninei that senior girls deserve EXTRA love and attention, please complete their online application to get the process started. http://www.savingpawsrescueaz.org/dogs/

Let’s help find this gorgeous girl a forever family.

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Jennifer Vaz was walking her own dog, Molly, near a New Jersey beach, when she heard whimpering. Below her, near the rocks and partially submerged by the incoming tide, was a cage with a 10-month-old pit bull inside.

“When I looked down, I saw these eyes looking back at me — these cute little puppy eyes all shivered up and scared,” Vaz told WABC on Tuesday. “I couldn’t believe that this happened in our town and somebody could be this malicious and do that to that dog.”

She immediately hopped the barrier to rescue him, calling authorities once she was home safe with the dog. Now the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating.

“The tide was coming in and the water had reached the cage,” the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement. “When animal control arrived on the scene the cage was almost covered by the rising tide. If not for the heroic rescue act of the good Samaritan, the dog could have potentially drowned.”

Vaz gave him the name “River” before she turned him in to authorities. She plans to adopt him.

Jennifer Vaz, right, saved River. Now she plans to adopt him.

Prosecutors believe the dog may have been left there between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. and says he is now in good health.

“Although River is a bit shaken up, he is in good physical shape and seems to have been well cared for,” the SPCA said. “We are working with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office to help bring justice to River.”

The center posted images on its Facebook page this week, showing him snuggled up with a uniformed police officer while sporting his new tags and collar.

It urged anyone with information about the dog or its owner to contact the Monmouth County Cruelty Hotline or the Highlands Police Department.

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It’s truly heartbreaking when a beloved furry family member goes missing, but equally heartwarming when they’re safely back in your arms.

For warm fuzzies of an impressive magnitude, check out the above video of Joyce and her dog, Daisy.

Joyce called the local animal shelter when Daisy pulled a Houdini and escaped. She was hoping they’d keep a lookout in case someone brought her pup in.

Two weeks later, as one volunteer was sending out photos of a new intake, another volunteer felt like she recognized the animal, remembering Joyce’s heart wrenching call and Daisy’s description. So they decided to give Joyce a ring to see if they might have a match.

Once the two saw one another? There was certainly no doubt!

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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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Dolores Doherty, founder of the Oakville, Ontario-based A Dog’s Dream Rescue, admits she never imagined she’d see one of the organization’s alumni riding in a limousine with the Queen of England*.

“Such a thought never entered my mind,” she told the Courier-Journal amid laughter. “Most do end up in really good homes, with nice stories and lots of feedback from owners on how the dog has changed their lives,” she added.

Guy, of course, hit something of a lottery, becoming canine royalty over the weekend when his owner, Meghan Markle, said her “I dos” with Prince Harry. It’s been a long journey for the American dog, who originally hails from the Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Mt. Sterling, KY.

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Many volunteers helped guy on his journey northward, where Markle eventually met him at an adoption event. She was looking for a companion for her other dog, Bogart. She took them on a walk together and the rest is (now part of royal) history!

Guy’s original shelter is a low-kill facility that euthanizes only as a last resort. It works closely with rescues to send dogs to places where they can get adopted, said shelter director J’Rie Elliot.

“(Markle) could have any dog she wanted. … And she opened her heart and home to a shelter pet. That makes all the long hours, sleepless nights and transports worth it.”

Elliot, who was just a shelter volunteer at the time, doesn’t remember Guy personally, but her predecessor, who has since retired, recalled him as a sweet little dog, she said.

“Our motto, ‘adopt don’t shop,’ has been heard on such a high level,” Elliot said. “She could have any dog she wanted. She can afford to buy any breed. And she opened her heart and home to a shelter pet. That makes all the long hours, sleepless nights and transports worth it.”

The marriage makes Markle the Duchess of Sussex. No word on Guy’s new title.

*Reports of Guy’s limo ride with the Queen may be unsubstantiated (see this Snopes post for details), but regardless, he is a royal beagle now!

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More than a month ago, a potential adopter took Nick — a resident at the Animal Rescue League of Boston — for a walk … and never came back.

On Wednesday, however, they were happy to announce that the 3-year-old pit bull mix had been found, safe and healthy, and was back in their care.

Shelter officials had been offering a $1,000 reward for information that led to the pup’s return.

Mike DeFina, a spokesman for the Animal Rescue League, told Boston.com that the shelter learned of Nick’s whereabouts after a Dorchester man called the MSPCA call center and said he’d been taking care of a dog for a few weeks. A description of the pup led to the MSPCA contacting the Animal Rescue League’s law enforcement team, who went and picked up Nick around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

“He looks good, he’s healthy, he’s happy,” DeFina said of the grey and white pup. “Bottom line we’re just really grateful to have him back.”

ARL staffers said the man had gotten Nick “from a secondary person” and was unaware the dog had been stolen from the shelter when he called DeFina said, “We’re just happy that he was found and that this person did the right thing and made that phone call,” he said.

Although Nick will have to undergo some standard vetting, he appears to be very healthy and should be back up for adoption soon. Officials said the man would receive the reward, as Nick was very well taken care of.

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She came into rescue in need of major surgery. She had been living in pain, ears scarred shut from persistent, neglected infections. One had a hematoma.

For sweet 8-year-old Buffie, love was an unknown concept. But the kind folks at the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc. helped her learn.

Buffie had to undergo intense medical procedures. Her right ear was too damaged to save and required amputation. She also needed bilateral ear ablation (doctors created new ear canals).

Like so many of this rescue’s animals, Buffie is a survivor and a winner who overcame years of abuse. She is also forgiving and loves unconditionally. For Buffie to be living the life of a rescued dog today, and one who has won the hearts of so many people through her participation in Tournament of Tails (she became the champion!), is incredible. Hers is the ultimate underdog story of survival and triumph against the odds.

Buffy, who weighs 64 lbs., is sweet and gentle and good with other dogs. She loves going on walks with her friends here at the shelter. She also loves cuddling up in her bed! Please visit the shelter and consider opening your home and your heart to this wonderful girl! Visit the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge website if you’re interested!

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Regan, 4, was frightened and confused when she landed in a Lebanon, TN, shelter after her owner passed away. And so when Kim Mowena Rezac came to her aid, liberating her from the frenetic atmosphere, Regan seemed exeedingly grateful. Watch the video below as the two make their getaway with Styx playing in the background.

“She wanted to hold my hand the whole way. If I took it away she would paw at it,” Kim Mozena Rezac told TODAY. “She just wanted to be touching.”

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Rezac is the founder of Goofy Foot Dog Rescue and director of animal welfare for Animal Rescue Corps. She spent three days earning Regan’s trust.

“You could tell she was scared and afraid. I would go in and give her treats and sit with her and talk,” Rezac said. “Our shelter is wonderful, and our volunteers do such a great job with the animals. But I hated for her to be there if she could be curled up on a couch at my house.”

Regan held Rezac’s hand in the car during the entire, 2.5-hour drive to Huntingdon, TN.

“I think she felt secure in touching someone familiar,” Rezac said. “She was so nervous and scared in the shelter but as soon as she jumped into my car she seemed so grateful.”

She shot the video not only because she was moved by the experience, but to put Regan in front of potential adopters. It worked like a charm. A million+ views later, Regan had numerous inquiries.

Two days later (this video was shot in February) Rezac placed Regan with a foster-to-adopt couple who said they “were meant to have her.”

“It’s a wonderful situation,” Rezac said.

She does hope, though, that people remember to put a plan in place so their pets don’t end up in Regan’s situation. The dog’s owner was only in her early 50s.

“I’m sure she thought she had much more time left. But none of us really know,” she said.