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The Asheville Humane Society would love for us all to help find a home for Blaze, a very special dog.

The AHS receives grants from the Grey Muzzle Organization, which supports their work to keep senior dogs in their homes by providing necessary medical services to owners in need — and by doing so, senior dogs stay out of the shelter, allowing them to focus their resources on pups like Blaze, who lost his person and his home.

AHS is open-admission, which means they are full to the rafters. Often. Many of their residents stay for a long time. Blaze has been there for more than 160 days but, say staffers, he really loves everyone — volunteers and employees and visitors alike!

“We’ve tried so many things to get this wonderful senior a second chance, but to no avail,” says Kim of AHS.

And so, here is Blaze’s story:

At 9 years old, Blaze came to Asheville Humane Society when his person passed away. Prior to that, Blaze was living in a car with a homeless owner. And since January, this sweet face has been passed over day after day due to the imperfections of his skin…. (“Just like Beauty and the Beast,” Kim wrote, “Blaze is waiting for his Belle to come along, to see how beautiful he is on the inside!” That’s why we have the cute cartoon photo in this story!)

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This adorable “beast” is looking for his prince or princess!

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Blaze gets bouncy and excited when he receives attention and he loves to go for walks! He has lived with other dogs before and has done well with calmer dogs in the AHS doggie playgroups. In their Canine Good Citizen Training Program, Blaze has learned great leash manners and his basic commands!

His skin issues have improved greatly on a grain-free diet, which he will need to continue in his new home. Blaze takes a daily pain pill for some slight arthritis, but happily takes his meds in cheese or marshmallows! Due to his sensitive skin, Blaze’s ideal home would probably be with adults or older children.

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So snuggly!

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What’s more: his adoption fee has already been PAID!

Blaze is gentle, bonds deeply with those who spend time with him, makes very soulful eye contact and would be a great cuddle buddy on the couch.

“Please help Blaze find his special person!,” the AHS staffers plead. “If you can see past his physical imperfections, you’ll be rewarded with endless love from a heart of gold!”

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This smiling girl is Allie! Folks at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa estimate her age to be about 12. She’s a cuddly pupper, one who needs to be the only spoiled princess in the house. Here’s a little more about her….

BIG FAN OF: Napping on soft things.

NOT A FAN OF: Sharing her living space with other dogs. She needs to be the only dog in her home right now. Children are also way too much for her, so she needs an adults-only home. Adopters will speak with a member of our behavior team about Allie’s history.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Allie is a couch potato who enjoys relaxing and spending time with her people. She does well on a leash and loves walks! She went on a Dog’s Day Out field trip recently, and here’s what the volunteers had to say about her: “Even though Allie is 12, she has a young soul. She was so excited to get in the car with us, and she loved going on walks through our college campus and meeting new people. We took her out to get lunch with us and people all loved how soft she is. We also learned that she likes to herd people, she would circle around behind us and look back for us while we were walking. After our walks we went up and laid down and she was super snuggly.”

OTHER REASONS SHE’S SPECIAL: Tests indicate Allie is in kidney failure. She will need a special diet and may also need additional diagnostics or medications. Thanks to a grant from The Grey Muzzle Organization, Allie has gotten all the special care she needs while with ARL. Kidney failure is a progressive disease and will worsen over time. Many animals can have good quality of life for years with proper therapy, though it is impossible to predict how the disease will progress. Allie also has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia with severe arthritis in both hips and her lower spine. This can lead to lameness or difficulty walking as the dog ages. Allie will need regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and muscle tone and may require pain medications. Please consult your regular veterinarian about these conditions prior to adoption.

DREAM HOME: A calm, quiet home with plenty of soft spots to relax. She will be happiest with patient people who will give her time to settle in to her new home.

The ARL’s shelter software requires that we choose a primary breed for our dogs. Visual breed identification in dogs is unreliable, so for most dogs we are only guessing at primary breed. We get to know each dog as an individual and do our best to describe each of our dogs based on personality, not breed label.

Approximate Age: 12
Breed (if known): Lab mix
Approximate Weight: 55lbs
Sex: Female
Home Preferences: Adults Only
Adoption Fee: $60.00
Adopt out of area?: Yes

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Jonny and Xena completely transformed each other’s lives. Jonny’s autism prevents him from really connecting with anyone, and Xena was rescued from a rough life and craves attention. In this incredible video from The Dodo’s Soulmates, you’ll see their beautiful bond.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram!

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Harley, the blind therapy dog, puts smiles on children’s faces and shows them they can get through anything. When you see her warm spirit, she’ll make you smile too.

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The next time you feel like giving up, take a life lesson from Edna, whose disability made walking almost impossible. Spoiler alert: IT DIDN’T STOP HER.

Great video from The Dodo’s Pittie Nation!

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On this special birthday edition of SENIOR SATURDAY, the staff at Lollypop Farm, a wonderful part of the Humane Society of Greater Rochester in upstate New York, wants everyone to know about a special, sweet, 7-year-old girl named Lilla.

Lilla just celebrated her birthday, and while she received lots extra love — including a special cake and gifts at a party just for her — they’re really hoping she can spend the next one in a forever home. You see, Lilla has been waiting for one for OVER A YEAR.

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“Lilla is very important to us,” says Kelly Wolfe, Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Lollypop Farm, “and we are trying everything we can to find her a home. She has severe allergies and a special diet. She also needs to be the only pet — and so has a unique set of circumstances.”

Throught a grant provided by the Grey Muzzle Organization, the folks at Lollypop Farm have been able to care for her and her adoption fee will be waived when the right adopter is found.

Lilla was surrendered by her owners because they were unable to give her the necessary care to keep her healthy. Her skin was so irritated, she was nearly all pink back then. They were unaware that her food allergies were making her sick (Lilla wishes she could eat everything!). Once in rescue, the medical staff was able to find a special food that Lilla not only loves, but it loves her back. She is looking gorgeous these days!

She’s also a love bug. Lilla adores affection and attention. So much so that she doesn’t want to share her human with another dog or cat. She really loves people, though! She knows tricks — sit, down, stay and (her personal favorite) fetch!

Lilla needs to be the only pet in the home, but she loooooooooves people!

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She’s 7 but spry and still runs and jumps like a pup.

She gets sad sometimes at the shelter, though, and shines when she goes for walks, plays outside and gets special cuddles from the staff and volunteers. She misses being part of a family. Maybe she can join yours.

For more information about Lilla’s needs, or if you’re interested in adoption, call 85-223-1330 or email [email protected]

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This couple, newlyweds at the time of the Boston Marathon bombing, has grown and shared in ways only a very few of us can even imagine. Along the way, Rescue has helped make their ongoing journey not only easier, but more fun. And more “normal.”

A wonderfully inspirational piece from the Dodo.