A 15-year-old dog who didn’t want to spend the holidays in a shelter has finally got her wish as she has found a forever home just in time for Christmas.
After years with her previous owners, Beauty was abandoned earlier this year and found herself with nowhere to live. She was discovered by police officers, who found her living in a hotel parking lot. Although she was initially taken to a local animal shelter, Beauty was later transferred to North Shore Animal League America at Port Washington, New York, in October.
Ilene Schreibman, senior communications manager at the shelter, told Newsweek that Beauty is “a gentle lady” who deserves a loving family. To have her life turned upside down at 15 years old was devastating, and it took a toll on the poor dog.
“Beauty had only known life in a safe, loving home, so being homeless followed by the noise and non-stop activity of the adoption center made her a bit anxious,” Schreibman said. “Rather than having her out on the adoption floor, Beauty spent her days in the offices of our Volunteer and Foster Care teams, happiest when she was in the company of people.
“Throughout November, our veterinary and behavior experts assessed her needs and tackled them one by one. She was microchipped, had much-needed dental work done, and experienced a spa day,” Schreibman said.
The team at North Shore Animal League America set to work finding Beauty the perfect “fospice home” for the holidays. Given her age, the team wanted her to have somewhere safe, comfortable and loving to spend her golden years.
The team shared a post on Facebook on December 2, asking people to consider giving Beauty the home she desperately deserves as “one last gift.” The post went viral with over 46,000 reactions and more than 15,000 shares as users were truly moved by Beauty’s story.
Hailey Forster, the senior volunteer and foster care manager at the shelter, said the team was “inundated with people asking about beauty.”
There was one email in particular that jumped out to Forster. The potential adopters, Tommy and Ally, said that Beauty resonated with them instantly, and they wanted to make her remaining years the best ones yet. So, when the couple arrived to meet Beauty in-person, their connection was immediate.
Forster said: “The minute they arrived, Tommy and Ally were on the floor with Beauty, connecting with her. Beauty soaked up all the love and affection and gave it right back. It was love at first sight. Something magic was happening.”
Even better was the fact that the couple weren’t just willing to take Beauty as a temporary foster, but also wanted to permanently adopt her. Following all the necessary assessments, Beauty was carried out of the shelter “like a baby” by her new owner, whom she already loves.
Forster told Newsweek there “wasn’t a dry eye” among the team when Beauty was finally chosen. “This is why we do what we do, especially when you see a sweet, senior animal who just needed to be loved. This is a storybook ending,” Forster continued.
Beauty is doing incredibly well in her new home. She even has a feline sibling, named Snow, whom she gets along with perfectly. Her adopter, Tommy, an NYC police officer, told the shelter that Beauty is a wonderful cuddle bug and is always incredibly polite when she wants a treat.
The couple are so delighted that not only could they give Beauty a home for Christmas, but for the rest of her life too.
Nonetheless, it is still heartbreaking when Beauty’s owners consider what she went through before. Tommy told the shelter that the biggest challenge since adopting her is trying not to cry about her past.
He said: “It breaks your heart to wonder how a pup so gentle and loving could have endured a life so hard. But that’s the true beauty in Beauty; she puts life into perspective.”
While Beauty is starting the next chapter of her life surrounded by love and joy, the same can’t be said for everyone.
Shelters across the country are full of animals searching for their forever homes. They all deserve a second chance, and Schreibman said she hopes that people will be inspired to help after seeing Beauty’s story.
“The number of senior animals in shelters is heartbreaking,” Schreibman added. “These older animals deserve to spend their final years in loving homes, being cared for by devoted families. Animal League America works hard to share their stories and find them retirement homes; it’s not always easy, but it’s always heartwarming.”
Even for those who can’t adopt, there are so many other ways to help. Schreibman highlighted the equal importance of donating, purchasing supplies for the shelter, volunteering, and fostering.
Abandoned Dog Tied to Fence With Shoelace Transforms with Compassionate Care
In Missouri, a puppy’s life was forever changed after he was found abandoned and tied to a fence with nothing but a shoelace.
The dog, named “Shoestring” by rescuers, was discovered near a dumpster, shaking and frightened. He was alone, vulnerable, and in a state of fear that would be hard for any animal lover to fathom. His story, shared by Stray Rescue of St. Louis, resonated deeply with people around the world.
It’s a tale of rescue, recovery, and the incredible impact that compassion can have on a life.
Photo: Facebook / Stray Rescue of St. Louis
The Early Days of Suffering
Shoestring’s condition when he was discovered was heart-wrenching. His face was swollen, and he had a collar around his neck, indicating he had once been a pet. According to the Stray Rescue team, his wounds had been untreated, and his face was puffed up, likely a result of an infection. The rescue team’s initial concern was whether he could survive. Natalie Thomson from Stray Rescue told Newsweek that they often rescue “those who no other organization will help or would simply euthanize because they are too expensive to heal.”
Despite the severe conditions, Shoestring was given a fighting chance, with the team determined to help him overcome the brutal reality of his abandonment.
Photo: Facebook / Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Compassion from a Good Samaritan
Before the rescue team arrived, a compassionate woman found Shoestring and stayed with him until help came. Stray Rescue of St. Louis highlighted this act of kindness, which undoubtedly made a difference for the dog.
“The lady is a real hero for staying with him,” commented one person on the rescue’s Facebook post. This kind of attention and care helped provide Shoestring with the stability he needed to recover.
Rescue and Recovery
Once the pup was rescued, he was taken straight to Stray Rescue’s clinic for immediate care. His health was fragile, and his infection was severe. The team began a rigorous treatment plan, with IVs and antibiotics. The swelling on his face was so extreme that he hardly resembled the dog he was meant to be.
The staff at Stray Rescue worked tirelessly to nurse him back to health, offering him the comfort and care he had never known. Despite the severity of his condition, the dog, who was just a few months old, displayed resilience, and hope emerged as he responded to the treatment.
Photo: Facebook / Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Overcoming the Odds
As the days went by, the swelling began to subside, revealing a healthy and playful puppy underneath the trauma. It was clear to the Stray Rescue team that Shoestring had not only survived but was thriving. His transformation, from a swollen, fearful puppy to a joyful and affectionate dog, was nothing short of miraculous.
“He is a healthy boy,” Thomson told Newsweek. “Just a few months old. We don’t know what happened, but we have seen so many babies discarded—tied up at parks, to dumpsters, left in crates.”
His story was one of many that emphasized the tragic reality of animal abandonment, yet it stood out due to the profound recovery he underwent.
From Abandonment to Adoption
The emotional support and dedication of the Stray Rescue staff were pivotal in Shoestring’s recovery. His story caught the attention of animal lovers everywhere, and soon, a foster home stepped forward.
According to the Stray Rescue Facebook page, a family offered to take him in, giving him a chance to experience life outside of a kennel. The shift from his difficult past to his new, loving home was immediate. Shoestring’s transformation was striking, and his foster family shared heartwarming pictures of the dog looking happy and content in his new environment.
The Road Ahead
Shoestring’s story didn’t end with his recovery—it was just the beginning of his new life. His time in foster care marked the start of a fresh chapter, one filled with care, love, and attention that he had been denied for so long.
As his recovery continues, Stray Rescue of St. Louis continues to help other animals in similar circumstances. As Natalie Thomson told the Mirror, “We rescue the abandoned, beaten, bred, fought, injured, terrified, defeated, and betrayed.”
It’s a sentiment that speaks to the wider need for ongoing support for animal rescue efforts, especially in times of crisis.
Photo: Facebook / Stray Rescue of St. Louis
A New Beginning
Shoestring’s journey from a frightened, swollen puppy to a beloved pet is a testament to the power of rescue organizations and the compassion of those who offer a helping hand. His recovery is a beautiful reminder that every dog deserves a chance at happiness, no matter the horrors they’ve faced in the past.
Now, surrounded by a family who loves him, Shoestring will never again face the isolation and fear he once knew. His story stands as a beacon of hope for countless other animals still waiting for their rescue.
Heartless Cruelty Strikes as Dog Found Drowned with Weight Tied to Neck
The community of Bath, Somerset, was stunned when the lifeless body of Buddy, a black and brown Jagdterrier, was discovered in the River Avon. The tragic discovery revealed that Buddy had been cruelly tied to a weight by a rope, causing him to drown.
His death, described by the RSPCA as a “heartless and gruesome” act of cruelty, has sparked an urgent investigation.
The grim details surrounding Buddy’s death were first reported by a member of the public, who found his body in the Weston area of Bath. The RSPCA, which immediately launched an investigation, confirmed that the animal had been dead for 24-48 hours before being found. The rope, still tightly knotted around Buddy’s neck, was attached to a heavy weight that ensured his tragic end.
As RSPCA Inspector Dan Hatfield told the BBC, “Buddy was intentionally killed in a heartless and gruesome way.”
Buddy, a Jagdterrier, was found drowned in the River Avon in Bath.
Details of the Investigation
The RSPCA immediately began its investigation to uncover the identity of those responsible for this senseless act. Inspector Hatfield confirmed the organization’s commitment to finding justice for Buddy.
“We are keen to find out who was responsible and bring them to justice,” Hatfield told Somerset Live. “Since his body was discovered, we’ve been investigating what happened and are now asking the public for their help.”
As part of the investigation, the RSPCA is asking for the public’s assistance. They have specifically requested any information regarding Buddy’s final days. The charity believes the dog had been seen by locals in Bath before his death and hopes that someone may have noticed something suspicious.
“We’re hoping to speak to anyone who saw him in the final days of his life,” Hatfield added, urging people to come forward with any relevant information.
The dog was tied to a weight with a rope around his neck.
Public Appeal and Community Impact
The loss of Buddy has resonated deeply with the local community in Bath, where he was known to many. As the investigation continues, the RSPCA is calling on anyone who might have seen Buddy after March 1, 2025, to contact them. The charity has emphasized that all information could be shared anonymously, and that they would protect the identity of those who choose to speak out.
This case is part of a broader effort by the RSPCA to combat animal cruelty in the UK. The charity has long advocated for the prevention of such tragic events, which leave both emotional and physical scars on animals and communities alike.
“Buddy’s death was a senseless and tragic act of cruelty, and we are determined to hold those responsible accountable,” Hatfield told the Daily Mail.
Call for Justice and Accountability
The investigation into Buddy’s death is ongoing, and the RSPCA is continuing to gather evidence. They are urging anyone with information about Buddy’s final movements to come forward. The case is a reminder of the darker side of human behavior and the cruelty that some animals must endure.
As Hatfield noted, “Buddy’s death was a senseless and tragic act of cruelty, and we are determined to hold those responsible accountable.”
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reporting animal cruelty and supporting organizations like the RSPCA that work tirelessly to protect vulnerable animals.
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