Spotlight Rescue
Inspiring Stories of Survival, Hope, and Triumph Against the Odds – Proof That We Never Give Up in Our Mission to Make the World a Better Place for Dogs.
On our journey to make the world a better place for dogs, we often run into extra special at-risk doggos with incredible stories of survival, hope and overcoming the longest of odds. We share these special stories as a reminder that we DO make a difference and that we NEVER give up, just like the 2,000+ dogs our community and our charity partners helped save last year. Here are their stories, the real heroes, our Spotlight Rescue Doggos...
Spotlight Rescue is dedicated to shining a light on at-risk dogs with remarkable stories of survival, resilience, and hope. We feature dogs who have been rescued from dire situations, whether directly by us or through our Packo Partners and Packo Pals, helping them find loving foster or forever homes. We shine the spotlight on these doggos and their incredible stories, and Shelter Sweethearts who need just the right forever family to see them.
spotlight rescue
Lenny's Journey to a Forever Home
Lenny, a sweet and affectionate 2-year-old pup, was discovered wandering in Southern California just two days after Christmas. With his past shrouded in mystery, he spent months in temporary foster care before moving to Underdog Central, where his loving and loyal personality quickly stole hearts. Eager to find a family of his own, Lenny proved himself as both an ideal companion and a potential emotional support animal.
Thanks to the incredible efforts of our Packo Partner, Cara from The Underdog Railroad, Lenny was chauffeured in the Freedom Van to his new forever home up north. Today, Lenny is thriving with his new family, who welcomed him with open arms and endless love. His journey is a testament to the resilience of rescue dogs and the power of compassion to change lives.
spotlight rescue
October Defies The Odds And Gets Adopted!
Together we can do anything. Here is proof…
A month ago it looked hopeless. October, the sweet 4-year-old lab/pittie mix had spent 1,341 days under the care of our Packo Partner, The Animal Pad. I got a call from Lauren, the Executive Director there, asking if we could help find October a home. It looked like he would NEVER get adopted.
Guess what? He did…October got adopted!
I just spoke with Lauren again and she says he is doing GREAT running around his new backyard on a “trial placement” in San Diego. And if THAT weren’t enough, Packo Member, Marcia Salzman, reached out saying she had someone who could take him if his current situation doesn’t work out.
spotlight rescue
A Desperate Rescue and a Ray of Hope For Sunshine:
The Story of a Brave Mama Dog and Her Pups
This is the story of a brave mama dog and her four puppies, rescued from a dire situation in Ensenada, Mexico, thanks to our Packo Partners, The Animal Pad and Los Adoptables.
It all started when a neighbor reported a neglected and malnourished dog to the local authorities. The dog was living in squalor, and when the police and our rescue partners arrived, they initially saw just the mama dog in the chaotic yard.
But then, as they listened closely during a rare moment of quiet, they heard faint cries. Four tiny puppies were discovered, hidden by their starving mother in a desperate attempt to keep them safe. Read The Full Story
spotlight rescue
Boog's Rescue: Her Journey From Death Row To Freedom Ride 29
This past Friday, we received an exciting call from Cara. She had just rescued the cutest gray and white pit bull named Boog from the Stockton Animal Shelter. Boog, like so many dogs in kill shelters, had been waiting anxiously for someone to save her, but time was running out. In fact, Boog was just four hours away from being put down when Cara arrived.
Boog’s journey to freedom wasn’t easy. After days in the shelter, she was stressed and scared, unsure of what her future held. But when Cara brought Boog to her house and let her explore the yard filled with soft grass, something magical happened. Boog’s anxiety melted away as she realized she was safe. She had made it.
Boog is now the first passenger on Freedom Ride #29, a mission fully sponsored by the We Love Doggos Hero Club. Read The Full Story
spotlight rescue
Holes and Heroes: The Incredible Rescue of Simba and His Siblings
During a routine visit to Ensenada, Mexico, where we were vaccinating dogs and planning a spay/neuter clinic, we discovered a litter of puppies, including one named Simba, who had been born in a hole. The puppies' mother, a street dog the team had been working with for months, had given birth in an underground burrow and stopped caring for her litter. The team knew they needed to step in to save these feral pups who had never seen daylight or interacted with humans.
Simba, the most vocal of the litter, was especially loud about his rescue as the team dug the puppies out, one by one. Just two weeks later, Simba and his brothers transformed into affectionate, playful pups, thriving in their foster care environment.
Read The Full Story
spotlight rescue
Rescuing Willie: The Road to a New Life
On our most recent mission to Mexico, we found Willie, a frail and malnourished German Shepherd, lying helpless by the side of the road. Seeing his condition broke our hearts. We immediately offered him comfort with a whole bag of dog treats and five hot dogs cut into bite-sized pieces. We treated his wounds as best we could, but unfortunately, we didn’t have enough space to take him back to the USA that day.
Lauren, the pack leader at The Animal Pad, couldn’t stop thinking about him. Determined to give Willie a second chance, she returned the very next day. When she found him again, Willie’s tail gave a weak wag as if he somehow knew help had arrived. Lauren scooped him up and brought him back across the border to San Diego, where he now roams her backyard with eight other happy rescue dogs.
spotlight rescue
Johnny Finds His Forever Home in a Touching Twist of Fate
We’re thrilled to announce that Johnny has found his forever home! Johnny, a shy and deaf dog, was rescued on June 2nd with the help of our friends from The Underdog Railroad. He and his sister June were found wandering lost in a large orchard. While his sister was easily excited to be rescued, Johnny was harder to catch due to his shyness and hearing loss, but was finally lured into an extra large crate.
Johnny was placed with a foster mom, Lori, who had recently lost her own deaf Great Dane. They quickly bonded, and Lori decided to adopt Johnny permanently. Remarkably, Lori's previous dog passed away on June 2nd—the same day Johnny was rescued.
It feels like fate brought them together. As an added joy, Johnny had a playdate with June, who was adopted nearby. Happy Tails to Johnny and Lori!
spotlight rescue
Radcliffe's New Lease on Life: A Rescue Story Just in Time
Meet Radcliffe, a dog whose life was saved just in time thanks to The Underdog Railroad, one of our Packo Partners. He was only two hours away from being put down at a kill shelter in Northern California when Cara, who tracks dogs on the "Euth List," rescued him. Radcliffe was extremely stressed, having scratched himself raw from anxiety.
But everything changed when he stepped into Cara’s backyard, finally safe and relieved. That night, Radcliffe experienced his first dog toy and slept on a comfy bed. Now, he’s ready for his next adventure—a ride to his forever home on the Freedom Van, donated by The Hero Club.
spotlight rescue
Thrown Away No More: The Inspiring Recovery of John Looee
Meet John Looee (formerly known as Lazarus). This resilient pup was found in a plastic bag on the side of the road, suffering from puncture wounds inflicted by a larger dog, fractured ribs, and severe dehydration. Thankfully, the kind people who found him rushed him to the ER Vet for triage.
That’s when The Underdog Railroad and We Love Doggos sprang into action. Cara found a loving foster and forever home for John Looee, and The Hero Club covered his transport expenses, ensuring he received the care he needed to recover. This little boy will never be thrown away like a piece of trash again!
spotlight rescue
Midas’ Miracle: From Machete Attack to Hero Club Honor
Meet Midas (formerly known as Machete).
We met him in the emergency treatment room of the Los Adoptables dog rescue shelter on our last Mexico vaccination mission with The Animal Pad. Some poor excuse for a human had attacked him with a machete.
He had 6" to 8" gaping wounds all over his body (including his face!). We made him an honorary lifetime Hero Club and We Love Doggos packo member and gave him a shirt to boot (which helped cover the seeping wounds!).
Because of our community and The Hero Club, this sweet little angel has a new life.
spotlight rescue
From Tacoma to Eureka: Minnie’s Heartwarming Rescue
When Minnie’s dog momma passed away, her fiancé decided she would be put down.
Thankfully, a friend of the deceased intervened and contacted Wendy, the Executive Director of the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter.
Wendy reached out to us, and thanks to a generous donation from the Hero Club, we arranged for Minnie to be safely transported from Tacoma, WA to Eureka, MT.
Now Minnie is living her best life in a happy, loving home!!
spotlight rescue
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off...the “Euth List"!
Meet Ferris Bueller, a resilient dog who spent over three weeks at a kill shelter in Northern California.
With only a few days left before being euthanized, our charity partner, The Underdog Railroad, stepped in and found him a loving foster home just in time.
And thanks to the We Love Doggos Hero Club, his boarding pass for the transport home has been paid for.
Ferris Beuller would like to say THANK YOU!
Nanook
Meet Nanook! This resilient husky, abandoned and homeless, arrived at a shelter with broken bones and life-threatening infections. A compassionate foster realized he needed immediate surgery.
Thanks to the We Love Doggos Hero Club, we funded his surgery. Now, Nanook is recovering at Arctic Dog Rescue in Utah, ready for a future filled with love and kindness. Nanook, we love you!
Thor
Meet Thor. He is a 2-year-old Heeler Mix with a lot of spunk. Isn’t his speckled fur the cutest?? We found him over at Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter in Eureka, Montana. He was a longer-term resident, and the shelter staff felt that he could use a little help getting adopted.
Your Hero Club Membership allowed us to waive his adoption fee! In just a few short days, his lucky new family picked him up and he’s happier than ever. Thor, we love you!
Maple
Meet Maple! In January 2021, a fire devastated Louisville, Colorado, burning 600 homes and displacing many pets. The We Love Doggos team joined the search and donated to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley’s Emergency Safety Net.
Thanks to this, Maple was reunited with her family. The Humane Society reunited countless pets and held a vigil for those lost. Maple, we love you!
Nipsey
Meet Nipsey, a three-month-old Heeler mutt rescued by Moms and Mutts, an organization that rescues pregnant and nursing dogs, cats, and abandoned litters. Nipsey's mom was one of those rescues, and after arriving at MAMCO, she gave birth to Nipsey and three siblings.
With our Hero Club's help and MAMCO's efforts, Nipsey is now a favorite member of the We Love Doggos family. We love you Nipsey.
Farrah
Meet Farrah! Abandoned by her family for being a picky eater, we discovered Farrah actually has an enzyme disease that makes it hard for her to process food. When we first met this sweet Saint Bernard, she weighed only 52lbs instead of the healthy 70-80lbs for her age.
We Love Doggos helped the shelter diagnose her condition and provided a specialty diet. Farrah gained weight and was adopted by a loving family that caters to her dietary needs. Farrah, we love you!
Clementine
Meet Clementine, our sweet and energetic doggo, and the first recipient of a We Love Doggos sponsorship! Rescued by the Mission Valley Animal Shelter in Ronan, Montana, Clementine, just 3 years old, needs lifelong heartworm medication.
Thanks to our community's support, we committed to covering her medication costs for life. Clementine found her forever home in less than a week and enjoyed the holidays in comfort. Clementine, we love you!
Carlos
Meet Carlos! This senior dog was found abandoned in a Northern California kill-shelter. The Underdog Railroad, sponsored by We Love Doggos, transported Carlos and eight other dogs to a no-kill shelter in Montana.
There, they all received spaying and neutering, and Carlos found his loving forever home. Now, Carlos will spend his remaining days safe and cherished. Carlos, we love you!
Pia
Meet Pia! This poor gal was at the shelter for far too long and was experiencing kennel anxiety. Thanks to your help, we were able to waive her adoption fee and offered behavioral training to her new family.
She was a very nervous lady, and all she needed was some extra love and resources to thrive. We are happy to share that she has found her FURever home! We Love You Pia!
PAGES
SOCIAL
INFO
Copyright 2025
We Love Doggos | All Rights Reserved
We Make The World A Better Place For Dogs!