My family was ready to get a dog and the only thing I knew for sure was I wanted to adopt. We live off a busy 2-lane highway where big-rig trucks whiz by at 50 mpg. It was on that highway that I saw Daisy (white/black) standing only 15 feet from traffic. I tried to rescue her but she ran off. I later found her with Jumper (brown) in a nearby trailer park.

The residents believed they were dumped two weeks earlier as they showed up together and always stayed close to each other. Thankfully people were giving them food. They both were covered in fleas, had worms falling out of their bottoms, and they were both in season. To boot, I assumed they were both pregnant since they were co-mingling with other dogs from the park that were not neutered.

I swept them up immediatey knowing this was the answer to our family's search for a dog - or dogs! I was able to get low cost spaying vouchers from St. Francis of Assisi in San Martin, CA, (what a wonderful place) and luckily they were not pregnant! Our Vet said she was certain they are sisters, as they were both the same age, in the same stage of being in season and had matching Umbilical Hernias (that she fixed during spaying) which are apparently commonly passed from the Mama dog to each pup in her litter.

Today, they are all cleaned up, healthy, happy, fatter (oops!) and they bless my family every day with their affectionate love and dedication. I truly believe they know they were given a second chance, and for that, they love us even more. Our kids named them Daisy & Jumper, and we are thankful for these loving sister every day!

After the last of our 3 large dogs died, the house just didn't seem the same without one. Five days later, I went in search of an Irish Wolfhound, but I couldn't find the address. Determined to at least see a dog that day, I finally stopped at a restaurant and asked the cashier if she knew the location of the animal shelter. She said if I wanted a puppy, she had one to give away because her house had burned down and the new landlord didn't allow animals. When her shift ended, she went home and returned with a little Pug/Yorkie mix, and it was love at first sight.

Petunia is now nine years old, and an endless supply of love, entertainment and energy. We've rescued three more since then, and she let them all know who's in charge. She immediatly laid claim to the blind Irish Wolfhound we adopted a few months later, even sleeping on top of his back. She guarded and protected him until the day he died.

Now it's hilarious to watch the rambunctious young Great Dane/Boxer being dominated by such a tiny creature. Her favorite playtime is "Ball", and he knows to leave hers alone!

I already had 4 kitties and when a person found him in a field, he was so cute, there was no way I could turn him away. Since then, he has stuck to me like glue. I even had to come home early from a get-a-way when the person babysitting could not find him. I cam home, he was on my bed waiting for me.

One rainy night in Costa Rica we heard yowling outside and went to investigate. We found a little dog, dirty and wet, on the bottom of a fight with two other big dogs - one a German shepherd. Of course we rescued her, washed her, fed her and when we were ready to return to the US we just couldn't leave her behind. We named her "Moxy" for her courage and lively nature. When I had heart surgery, she stayed on my bed with me for many weeks. She is now even livelier and such a happy girl! The best dogs are often those we find in shelters or along the way. That is the only kind of dog we will have. Moxy has really added joy to our lives.

I found Gixxer, his name a the time was Pepper, at the local humane society one afternoon. I was 18 and needed a companion while away at school. He looked so lonely there by himself because his sister had already been adopted. He looked up at me with his brown eyes and that was it...he came home that afternoon. Now he lives with my older dog and his best friend, Tobie whom was rescued also. He is such a joy and loves everyone that he meets and shows it with kisses. His personality is so unique that everyone calls him "Mr. Personality".

Oct.2007-My fiance & I had just bought our first home together & we decided to go ahead & paint every wall we wanted to paint before we moved our furniture in. We were working at the house one day when our heater went out & we had to call someone to come & fix it. While the workers were there they knocked on our door to tell us that our dog had gotten out of our fence. Jake & I both looked behind us to see the only dog we owned, our yellow lab, Buddy, was in the house. I went outside to find a 30 lb. scrawny dalmation/german shorthaired pointer mix. She was bouncing around the yard like a deer. She immediately won my heart and I hers. I got her some food and water and she slept inside that night. The next morning we took her to the vet & she was given all her shots and a clean bill of health with strict orders to put some weight on her skinny body. March 2009-My Gracie Mae is now 52 lbs, the biggest lap dog, LOVES to cuddle, is very possessive of her Mommy, loves to sit in front of the fireplace, loves to talk to me & loves to smile! She is one of the best things that has ever happened to me!! I love her and will cherish her for as long as we have together! She is Mommy's little princess!

She was bought from a breeder and had been used for breeding, well-enough cared for but starved for love. She was terribly shy, hated the kennel, and didn't care if she ate as long as she could be with me. Today she is a happy, healthy (much more weight on her) dog who loves everyone and doesn't hide when company comes. In fact she goes looking for attention! She still won't eat the minute something upsets her and is a bit unsure. If she gets into trouble and gets scolded she waits to see if you still "love her" hours later. You have to invite her back to sit with you or whatever. Then she's fine again. There is still an uncertainty in her eyes at times and I can only hope it will disappear as she is with us longer. We've had her a year at this point. She still adores my husband who was the one that picked her up. I think she thinks he's her savior!

This little girl is at ksarc.org in so-east Missouri and really needs a home. Sally is now about 10 months old house broken all shots and would be spayed before going to a new "furever" home. Sally loves to be around children and adults and is good with other dogs, cats??? If you can give Sally that home please call 573-857-3218 or kindredspirit@windstream.net also visit us at www.myspace.com/ksarc1 to see all the animals we have for adoption. Thank You KSARC

In October 2007 a friend of mine, who fosters Pugs from the DFW Pug Rescue, got a sweet little boy named Walter. Walter was suffering from stage 3 heartworm, blindness caused by chronic dry eye, severe hip dysplasia and luxar patella. After she had him for a short while she called me and said "We cannot let this one go!". I immediately called the rescue organization and started the adoption process. Boy, was she ever right. Wally is a sweet, lovable little boy. He's mostly recovered from the heartworm, and his eyesight is getting a little better thanks to a great canine opthamologist. He is a great friend to all and has just filled up my life!

Every morning I take my dog out to go potty. After she was done, we went inside to get breakfast. All of a sudden, I hear this loud meowwwww at the kitchen window. I saw the kitten, took some food out only she didn't want to eat. She followed me inside and never left. I could tell right off that she was a very young cat who was pregnant. I named her Lilyann and in October she gave birth to 4 of the most adorable kittens. So she and her kittens have joined an expanding household, 8 cats, 1 dog, & 8 beta fish!