Tag: The Dodo

What a beautiful account!

From the find of the six puppies to the fantastic conclusion.

I subscribe to The Dodo. On September 5th Maeve Dunigan wrote an article that is so beautiful. I have permission to republish the story.

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Rescuers Hear Cries In Open Field — Then See Faces Peeking Out Of A Drain.

“[They] were friendly and very social.”

By Maeve Dunigan

Published on Sep 5, 2025

In a field near the Kansas Humane Society’s Murfin Animal Care Campus, a concrete storm drain peeks out of the green grass, its circular opening extending into a black tunnel below. One morning this past July, humane society team members arrived at work and heard a heartbreaking sound echoing from within this drain — the sound of animals crying for help.

Kansas Humane Society

The rescuers hurried over and found the source of the noise. There, cowering inside, were six little puppies left to fend for themselves.

puppy in drain
KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY 

Using treats as a tasty incentive, the team coaxed each puppy out from the hole. The pups served a mandatory stray hold at the Wichita Animal Shelter next door. Then they returned to the Kansas Humane Society for further care.

woman helping dog
KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY 

Staff members gave the pups a comfortable place to recover. They named the dogs Abby, Ellie, Greg, Lev, Mike and Tommy, and made sure each of them received the necessary vaccines and medical attention needed to grow up healthy and strong.

puppies in backseat
KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY

“The puppies were very wiggly, especially Ellie,” a representative from Kansas Humane Society told The Dodo. “All were friendly and very social.”

Local news stations soon began covering the amazing rescue, urging community members to adopt or foster the pups. Within two days, every puppy was either adopted or put on hold for adoption.

puppies
KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY 

Today, Abby, Ellie, Greg, Lev, Mike and Tommy are all safe in their forever homes, and rescuers couldn’t be happier.

“We hope their futures are full of love, cuddles and treats,” the representative said.

To help other animals like these puppies, you can make a donation to the Kansas Humane Society.

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It is stories like this one that provide the incentive for not engaging in politics. Period!

A lovely story about a snake

It’s from The Dodo website.

This is fabulous and I don’t intend to say anymore.

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Woman Rescues Snake — Then Watches In Awe As She Gives Birth In Her Hand

She couldn’t believe it …

By Maeve Dunigan

Published on July 23, 2025.

Earlier this month, a homeowner called Tidewater Wildlife Rescue with an urgent request. A common garter snake was hopelessly tangled in a piece of netting in their yard. Could someone come help?

Rescue volunteer Serenity Reiner quickly headed to the scene.

TIDEWATER WILDLIFE RESCUE

Reiner and her rescue partner, Daniel, used scissors to cut away big pieces of the net. Then, Daniel gently held the snake as Reiner snipped away netting closer to the animal’s body.

“We were very focused,” Reiner told The Dodo. “We wanted to be as fast as possible to limit [her] stress.”

The rescuers were almost finished when they noticed something amazing — the snake was giving birth in their hands.

TIDEWATER WILDLIFE RESCUE

Reiner hastily removed the remaining netting as the mama snake birthed two babies. Then, she took the snake and her little ones to a wooded area behind the house and released them back into the wild.

Surprisingly, despite their size, baby garter snakes don’t need to live with their mom for very long. In fact, as the rescue notes, these young snakes are completely independent from the moment they’re born and can immediately find food on their own.

TIDEWATER WILDLIFE RESCUE

According to the U.S. National Park Service, garter snakes typically give birth to 15-40 babies at a time. Reiner suspects this mama welcomed many more little ones into the world once she was safe in the forest.

The rescuer encouraged the homeowners to use animal-safe netting next time. She’s grateful that, in this case, everything turned out OK.

“I felt so much joy knowing that she was able to go back to her normal life unharmed,” Reiner said.

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Wonderful!

Another rescue story

Saving a large dog!

What is it about people who discard dogs? And not in a caring manner but just dumped!

This article from The Dodo tells the story of a wonderful rescue.

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Neighbors Band Together To Save Stray Giant With ‘Dreadlocks’

Then they gave him a stunning makeover

By Ashley Ortiz, Published on Oct 25, 2024

The other day, volunteer dog rescuer Mary Nakiso was driving through California’s Orange County when she passed someone cowering on the side of the street. The creature was large, hairy and alone. With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Nakiso slammed on her brakes to investigate.

As she approached the animal, Nakiso realized just how massive and afraid he was.

“He is literally 75 pounds and so big but so scared,” Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29, wrote on Facebook.

Suzette Hall

The giant dog was petrified, which Nakiso soon learned was the result of being “thrown out” by his family a few minutes earlier.

“When he first got thrown out, he was so confused [and] running in circles in traffic,” Hall wrote. “A huge jeep with huge tires literally went over him …”

Suzette Hall

The pup, later named Benji, had no idea where his family had gone. He roamed the busy streets frantically, hoping to find his way home. After a while of running around in circles and dodging cars, Benji eventually disappeared.

Nakiso called Hall to notify her about Benji, and the two started monitoring local social media groups for any sightings of him. Later that day, someone posted about seeing a giant matted dog in their neighborhood.

Suzette Hall

Hall couldn’t make it back to the neighborhood fast enough due to traffic, so she messaged three more of her trusted friends who lived nearby.

The group of volunteers immediately agreed to help.

“I sent a message to Nuñez Aky, Yamileth and Karla,” Hall wrote. “When they got there, he was running back and forth so fast. So they waited for him to settle down.”

Suzette Hall

Hall stayed glued to her phone for updates while the team of volunteer rescuers hatched a plan to corner the flighty dog once and for all.

Then, she finally received the news she’d been hoping to hear all day.

“[B]ecause they are so amazing, they got him into a yard and shut the gate,” Hall wrote. “My heart was so happy. The fear and terror he had been through was over, and this big hunk of pure love was finally safe.”

Suzette Hall

The rescuers showered Benji with love and praise before carrying him to their car. They drove him straight to Camino Pet Hospital, where the shaggy pup received a long-overdue makeover.

“All the layers of his past [have] been shaved away,” Hall wrote in a Facebook update. “He literally had dreadlocks.”

Suzette Hall

Benji’s makeover was just the first of many steps to get him the home of his dreams. He’s since been neutered, and after a few more days of healing, he’ll finally be able to meet his new foster family next week.

It’s hard to know what Benji’s life was like before he was rescued, but his future is certain thanks to Hall and her team of volunteers. As Hall sees it, Benji will soon receive all the love and attention he’s always deserved.

“Benji is the sweetest, most loving dog I have ever met,” Hall told The Dodo. “[He’s] truly a miracle.”

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You can inquire about adopting Benji by emailing Suzette Hall at Info@loganslegacy29.com.

To help pups like Benji get the care they need, you can donate to Logan’s Legacy 29 here.

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That is a most beautiful story and one that should inspire many readers to look after, and care for, dogs where ever they are.

Many congratulations to Suzette for rescuing Benji.

A bond across two very different species

How The Dodo spoke of a dog and a wild shark bonding.

I do not know much about this story apart from the fact that it appeared in The Dodo recently and I took to it.

So please enjoy! (And that assumes you have not already seen the article!)

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Little Dog Forms Remarkable Bond With A Friendly Wild Shark

They meet up almost every day.

By Alana Francis-Crow

Published on Aug 16, 2024

For most dogs, their friend groups usually consist of a mix of humans and other dogs. But Lili, a 3-year-old dog who lives on a French Polynesian atoll called Fakarava, isn’t like most other dogs. She prefers friends who have gills and fins. In fact, her very best friend is a shark.

Ever since Lili’s mom, Emmanuelle Larchet, adopted Lili, she’s known that her dog has an affinity for all things aquatic. She started swimming in the lagoon near Larchet’s house when she was only a month old.

“She’s really a water dog,” Larchet told The Dodo.

There are around 100 sharks who live in this lagoon near Larchet’s house. So when Lili swims in the water there, she’s surrounded by them. While many dog parents would be terrified to see their dog swimming amongst sharks, Larchet knows that the sharks Lili swims with are nurse sharks, who are actually very docile creatures.

“We call them sea puppies because [they’re] like dogs, actually … They are very nice,” Larchet said.

Larchet likes to joke that when Lili swims around with her shark friends, it’s sea puppies meeting earth puppies.

Over the years Lili has been swimming in the lagoon, there’s one shark in particular she’s grown especially close with. His name is Sharky, and he and Lili visit each other almost every day. Larchet and Lili are able to recognize Sharky because he has a special marking on one of his fins.

Lili and Sharky like to explore their lagoon together. They enjoy splashing around in the warm, clear water.

“He comes to say hello every time she sees him,” Larchet said.

Even though Lili and Larchet are best friends themselves, Larchet is more than happy to share her Lili with Sharky. And even though Larchet watches Lili hang out with her shark friends all the time, it never gets old seeing them spend time together.

“[When] I see her swimming with Sharky, [I’m] so happy,” Larchet said.

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It is a lovely story!

A dog as a camera animal

This is a lovely story from The Dodo.

I saw this article in the August 23rd issue of The Dodo magazine and it appealed to me.

So I wanted to share it with you all.

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Couple Hires Dog To Film Their Wedding — And The Results Are Simply Perfect

Such a great idea ❤️

By Alana Francis-Crow

Published on Aug 23, 2024

Ellie Woods’ family dog Bobby has always been an important part of her love story with her wife Georgie Woods. When Ellie brought Georgie home for the first time, the family member she was most anxious for Georgie to meet was Bobby.

When the couple got engaged and started planning their wedding, they decided it would be fun to try to document the wedding from Bobby’s unique perspective. So right before the ceremony started, they attached a GoPro to Bobby’s back and then set him loose.

For some dogs, walking around with a camera on their back might take some getting used to — but not for Bobby. He immediately felt comfortable.

“He loves being the center of attention,” Georgie told The Dodo. “He just loved it.”

Georgie and Ellie said having Bobby at their wedding was incredibly meaningful for them.

@SASHALEEPHOTOGRAPHY


“Animals are really important to queer couples,” Ellie said. “[I]t was so important to have him … as part of our big day.

When the newlyweds sat down to watch the footage Bobby had captured, what they saw surprised and delighted them. The GoPro had caught Bobby stealing hors d’oeuvres and even walking in on Georgie’s sister in the bathroom. While Bobby is an expert videographer, he is still a dog, after all.

Of course, Bobby’s camera recorded much more than shenanigans. Georgie and Ellie loved watching themselves walk down the aisle together from Bobby’s perspective.

“It captured some really special moments,” Ellie said. “[W]e couldn’t be happier for how it came out because it’s just so organic and such an interesting, different perspective.”

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Dogs are just incredible. As much as I have already said that, time and time again there comes a story that just reinforces that previous sentence.

A tragic rescue, with a difference!

All of them were white puppies, and …

This was a story that recently was shown on The Dodo site.

Too many dogs, and cats, are abandoned on a regular basis. But read on and see why this rescue was extra special.

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Rescue Finds A Box Of Puppies Abandoned On Their Property — And Then They Realize Why.

Can you guess their secret?🕵️

By Caitlin Jill Anders, Published on Aug 15, 2024

When staff members and volunteers at Saving Hope Rescue noticed a box had been dumped on their property, their hearts sank. As they got closer, they saw the box had “puppies her” written on the side of it and had a feeling they knew who was inside.

Saving Hope Rescue

When they opened the box, the rescuers came face-to-face with a whole pile of all-white puppies. Even though their rescue was already at capacity, they knew they couldn’t turn their backs on the sweet little family. They put out a call for help to the community in order to get some support and began to get the pups settled in.

Saving Hope Rescue

As everyone at the rescue started getting to know the abandoned puppies, they realized that the pups had been hiding something: Apparently, they were all visually and hearing impaired to some degree.

“At first, they were all deemed blind and deaf,” Lauren Anton of Saving Hope Rescue told The Dodo. “Eventually, as time went by and they developed some more, we discovered that some puppies are more impaired than others.”

Saving Hope Rescue

It’s possible that this was the reason the puppies were abandoned in the first place, but it’s hard to know for sure. Either way, it didn’t change anything for the puppies’ rescuers. Even if they might need a little extra help, they were still members of the Saving Hope family.

As the puppies grew, their unique personalities began to shine through, and their rescuers were also able to start getting an accurate picture of their different abilities.

Saving Hope Rescue

“Mate is a good example of the slightly impaired puppies,” Anton said. “We don’t know how much she can see and hear, for sure, but we do know that she can hear being called, knows when we shake the food bag, and will approach people when called to come over … Koala, on the other hand, is much more impaired … We aren’t sure how much he can see. Maybe just shadows.”

Everyone is doing their best to get to know the puppies and their individual needs so they’ll know how to best help them as they grow. One thing is for sure though, the puppies are happy and thriving.

Saving Hope Rescue

“Over the last few weeks, they’ve gone from sleepy babies to rambunctious puppies,” Anton said. “They’re constantly playing and wrestling with each other. They’ve learned that human pets and snuggles feel nice, and they love to sleep in our arms.”

These puppies may have been abandoned, but now they’re getting the second chance they deserve.

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That is a beautiful story. Lauren and the staff are to be congratulated on doing what they did, and that was giving these puppies a new lease of life.

A Story of a Remarkable Rescue

Thanks to the Dodo for this.

I just love articles about dogs being rescued. Such as this one:

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Tiny Dog Trapped In Canal For Days Almost Loses Hope Of Being Found

“[T]here was no way in except to climb down …”

By Ashley Ortiz, Published on May 28, 2024.

It was a sunny spring day in Compton, California, when a group of residents spotted something white bolt across an unused canal. It’s not uncommon to find discarded items strewn along the canal, known as Compton Creek, but this was the first time they’d seen a dog trapped inside.

Situated tens of feet below ground level, the worried onlookers were unsure how a tiny pup made it into the canal in the first place.

“[T]here was no way in except to climb down,” Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29 dog rescue, wrote on Facebook.

Instagram – La Fine Street Repair

The Good Samaritans rushed to help the pup, later named Sammy, but he was too scared to let anyone get close.

“There were people who went to try to get the dog, but they were unable to secure [him],” Kristina Ross, one of Sammy’s original helpers, wrote in a Facebook comment.

Facebook – Kristina Ross

Ross posted footage of Sammy sprinting down the canal on Facebook and pleaded for someone to save him. After three days of failed attempts, they contacted Logan’s Legacy, and Hall was eager to help.

Hall soon arrived with a humane dog trap in hand. As she figured out a way to lower herself into the canal to set up the trap, another pair of Good Samaritans descended.

“I [saw] the post today and jumped down the sewer with a rope,” one of the Good Samaritans wrote on Instagram. “[I] felt the need to rescue this poor baby.”

Instagram – La Fine Street Repair

The pair trudged through muddy sewer water and trash to reach Sammy. As dangerous and uncomfortable as wading through the canal was, they knew that Sammy’s experience was even worse.

Hall watched as the men tried to catch Sammy multiple times. On their final attempt, one of the guys, Nelson, successfully cornered Sammy and threw a net around him to stop him from bolting again.

Nelson then carefully gathered up the net with Sammy still in it, and his partner lifted the pup out of the canal. They handed Sammy over to Hall, who gave the dog a big, triumphant hug before loading him up in her car.

“He literally melted in my arms,” Hall wrote. “He knew he was finally safe.”

Suzette Hall

Ross, the woman who had originally posted about Sammy, offered to foster him for the night. The grateful pup slept through the night in a cozy bed before heading to the veterinary clinic the next day, where he was immediately treated for a rotten tooth and an injured paw.

The tiny dog was soon on the mend, but his rescuers still couldn’t believe what he’d been through.

“I can’t imagine how scared he was down here in that big, huge canal, all by himself,” Hall wrote on Facebook. “He’s in recovery and doing just fine.”

Suzette Hall

While Sammy recovered at the vet clinic, he stole the heart of one of the vet techs caring for him. Instantly smitten with the pup, the loving vet tech decided to give him the best forever home he could’ve ever dreamed of.

“She said, ‘We have fallen in love … can we please adopt him?’” Hall wrote on Facebook. “[It’s] just so meant to be. He is beyond loved and getting spoiled.”

Suzette Hall

Over a month after his rescue, Sammy is thriving in his new home alongside his equally tiny Chihuahua sibling. His days are filled with cozy beds, walks with his family and play sessions with his doting sibling — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

For his rescuers, it seems like Sammy’s journey through the canal was just yesterday. But for Sammy, his days of feeling alone and scared are far in the past. Now, he only knows love.

To help pups like Sammy get the care they need, you can donate to Logan’s Legacy 29 here.

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I have included the link to Logan’s Legacy 29 just in case you wanted to help Sammy as well. We have made a small donation.

This is the most perfect outcome one can imagine. Beautiful Sammy!

A story about a small dog

A dog that begs workers to save her.

There is no shortage of glorious stories about dogs, and thank goodness for that! Recently I saw an article on The Dodo about a dog and I wanted to share it with you.

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Dog Dumped In Desert Finds Construction Site — Then Begs Workers To Save Her

“She wanted to be noticed, she wanted help …”

By Ashley Ortiz, Published on May 17, 2024

When Jeanean Gillespie clocked into work at a construction site earlier this month, she expected to see the usual handful of people around. Her office, located on an uninhabited stretch of desert, managed the new housing developments being built — and no one, other than her team of workers, was authorized to be there.

So when she saw two tiny eyes peering at her through her office doorway that morning, she jumped. The tiny pup had seemingly shown up out of nowhere, and she was desperate for someone to see her.

Suzette Hall

“She wanted to be noticed, she wanted help,” Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29, wrote on Facebook. “Thank goodness my dear, dear friend, Jeanean Gillespie, worked there.”

Gillespie’s heart dropped when she realized the little dog, later named Sage, was all alone in the dangerous desert. With bobcats and coyotes lurking nearby, Gillespie knew time was of the essence to save Sage.

The compassionate worker tried repeatedly to capture Sage, but the scared pup ran away every time. After a few failed attempts, Gillespie called Hall for backup and placed food and water by the door for her in the meantime.

Suzette Hall

Sage was frightened by her new friends, but she still felt safe in their care. As they came up with a rescue plan, Sage figured out how to get as close as possible to them while still keeping her distance.

“She would sleep outside the office doors at night,” Hall wrote. “They all tried to help her, but she wouldn’t let anyone get close.”

Suzette Hall

Gillespie tried gaining Sage’s trust each day and eventually lured her inside the office. Hall arrived soon after, and the experienced rescuer recognized Sage’s demeanor instantly.

“When I got there, she was so scared, but she wanted to surrender so bad,” Hall said. “She was exhausted.”

Suzette Hall

Hall calmed the skittish dog and successfully scooped her up shortly after arriving. As scared as Sage was, she instantly felt comforted in Hall’s arms.

“[W]ithin minutes, she melted safely into my arms,” Hall wrote. “She knew she was safe from loneliness …”

Suzette Hall

Gillespie waved goodbye to the resilient pup as Hall loaded her into the car and drove off to Camino Pet Hospital. After days of surviving on her own in the desert, Sage got some much-needed rest.

“She fell fast asleep on the drive back,” Hall said. “She closed both eyes for the first time in days. She was rescued and she knew it.”

Suzette Hall

It’s been a couple of weeks since Sage’s rescue, and the survivor pup is still recovering from the ordeal. Aside from needing a growth removed, a dental cleaning and a spay, Sage is overall healthy. But her spirit is still broken.

“Poor Sage is not feeling well … her blood work came back normal, but she is just so sad,” Hall told The Dodo. “She needs love. She is just longing for it.”

Suzette Hall

Sage is scheduled for surgery soon, and Hall hopes to find her an amazing family once she’s feeling better. Until then, she’ll keep showering Sage with the love she’s always deserved.

“She’s such a sweet baby,” Hall said.

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I just love stories like this one. Sweet, sweet Sage!

Dogs in many ways are just like us humans. Scared of being alone and rejected but always deserving of love. Perfect!

A new dog!

Another compelling story.

Yet another fantastic story of a dog being transformed, courtesy of The Dodo.

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Dog Is Completely Transformed After Groomers Give Her An Emergency Makeover

She’s unrecognizable.

By Stephen Messenger, Published on April 5, 2024

Recently, staff at the Wyandotte Animal Shelter in Michigan took in a dog whose condition was described as among the worst they’d ever seen. Pixie, as the dog is named, had fur so overgrown and matted that she could hardly move.

Gazing upon Pixie, one might never guess that an adorable dog existed beneath it.

Wyandotte Animal Shelter

According to staff at the shelter, Pixie was surrendered by her owner, who, regrettably, had neglected to give her the care and attention she needed — leading to her severely unkempt condition. Ultimately, though, his decision to surrender her is what Pixie needed most.

“He had a hard time letting her go but surrendered her to us so we could ensure she would go to someone who could give her the life she deserved,” the shelter wrote.

With that, Pixie’s world was about to change forever — and it would have to start with a much-needed haircut.

Wyandotte Animal Shelter

Staff at the shelter reached out to The Downriver Grooming Co. for what would be an emergency grooming session to help Pixie escape from her matted prison.

“[They got] her in within minutes of our call, and for [three] hours they spent freeing her from that matted fur,” the shelter wrote.

Wyandotte Animal Shelter

After all was said and done, the real Pixie had emerged.

She was totally unrecognizable from her former self.

Wyandotte Animal Shelter

“This little girl was only 5.5 pounds, but she seemed twice her size due to the matted fur,” the shelter wrote, adding that she was in remarkably good health, despite her ordeal beneath that overgrown coat.

Pixie’s world had changed for the better — but it wouldn’t be long until it improved even more.

Wyandotte Animal Shelter

Within days of Pixie’s transformation, thanks to the kindness of those who’d helped her, the little dog got the second chance she so desperately needed.

“Pixie was adopted,” a spokesperson for the Wyandotte Animal Shelter told The Dodo. “Her new family reports that she is doing very well in her new home.”

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We all need second chances from time to time, humans and dogs.