Worthy Dog Rescue

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Worthy Dog Rescue WDR is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping outdoor dogs in distress Established in 2017

PUPDATE!!! Duke was rescued by Good Samaritan who saw a social media post from his owner threatening to shoot him if som...
08/08/2024

PUPDATE!!! Duke was rescued by Good Samaritan who saw a social media post from his owner threatening to shoot him if someone didn’t come get him because he had eaten one of their chickens. When they went to retrieve Duke they found him being kept in a tiny crate, emaciated, with inflamed skin and large patches of his coat missing.

On intake, Duke weighed only 38lbs and was miserable from his skin infections. We are pleased to share that after six weeks in his foster home, he weighed in at 60lbs today! After multiple rounds of medications, shots, and regular medicated baths, his skin inflammation and redness are gone and his hair is growing back in.

His foster mom, Nancy, reports: “Duke has gotten more comfortable with the cats, he doesn’t pace around the house as much as he did at the beginning, and I’m amazed how many commands he knows: ‘wait’ when he’s being fed, ‘sit,’ ‘lay down,’ and ‘stay.’ He actually seems happy now :grinning:. He’s started playing with toys, or mostly he likes to drag all the toys out of the toybox to survey his treasures. He still sleeps all night in his crate without a peep.”

Good boy, Duke! ❤🙌

PUPDATE! Our sweet Shepherd mix, Belle, was released from the hospital yesterday and spent her first night in the comfo...
07/08/2024

PUPDATE! Our sweet Shepherd mix, Belle, was released from the hospital yesterday and spent her first night in the comfort and safety of her foster home. We suspect this is probably the first night of peace she's had in a very long time, if ever. She's recovering from a broken hip after being hit by a car. She's getting around pretty well, and while she does hold her leg up, she can put weight on it when necessary. Pain meds are helping. She was good on the car ride home but understandably a little cautious in her new environment but not terrified. She approached her foster mom for treats and was very gentle in taking them — she even gave a few tail wags!

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to her care. We were sincerely overwhelmed by your generosity and support. We are so thankful to have a community that cares and enables us to save dogs like Belle. You are making a difference.

UPDATE - https://www.facebook.com/WorthyDogRescue/posts/pfbid02Mka7VSNH6eabyZhVR2JNpBGta55ZXNjgyX5JupMRooG3Nqfm4SqmttdvT...
05/08/2024

UPDATE - https://www.facebook.com/WorthyDogRescue/posts/pfbid02Mka7VSNH6eabyZhVR2JNpBGta55ZXNjgyX5JupMRooG3Nqfm4SqmttdvT4cqjaPzl

Meet Belle. This poor dog deserves so much better than she’s had. Belle is the victim of cruel, ignorant owners who chained her to the bumper of a car, unspayed, and unprotected from the elements or predators. They wouldn’t provide her with consistent meals or fresh water and no vet care. She’s severely underweight and has had multiple litters over the years living outside in heat with little room to move and no chance to escape. Another mama dog was also chained on the property and gave birth to a litter of puppies under an abandoned car, and one of Belle’s puppies was chained to a tree next to her.

A local animal advocate, Melissa, became aware of the dire situation and was able to get the mama dog with her new litter out first…the puppies were only 3 days old. She then worked to secure the release of Belle and her puppy. A man from the community, Dave, was able to befriend the owner, who agreed to release both dogs to rescue. It’s important to know that chaining is allowed in this county and there are few laws in place to protect animals and even less enforcement.

The most frustrating part of this story is that we were supposed to get Belle almost a month ago. Her puppy was freed and went to another rescue and then at the last minute, they refused to release Belle to our care. It was heartbreaking but we left the door open for them to contact us for help.

Over the past month, Belle’s owner decided to unchain her and let her run free. She was hit by a car last week, likely while foraging for food. She has a fractured hip and a broken tail that has to be amputated, and she's likely to be heartworm positive too. This poor pup has lived outside in the terrible heat in incredible pain for the past week until they finally decided to get help for her.

We are sad for Belle today but know she’s on the path to a better life. She's getting the medical care and pain management she needs and will be staying at the hospital overnight as she starts a long road to full recovery. If you'd like to donate towards Belle's care, giving is easy through this post, through Venmo , or our website at https://worthydog.org/donate/

ADOPTION UPDATE! Checking in to share a few of our recent adoptions. Congratulations to Tanner, Erin, and their new fami...
04/08/2024

ADOPTION UPDATE! Checking in to share a few of our recent adoptions. Congratulations to Tanner, Erin, and their new families who chose to rescue and save a dog in need. 🙌👏🙌👏

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TANNER was surrendered to the rescue after his owner moved out and left him behind. We quickly learned Tanner had excellent doggie social skills and loved to play. We hoped to find an active home with a puppy buddy for him — and we did! When Erin applied for Tanner, we knew we had found the right fit. Erin works for a dog walking/pet sitting service and has a very flexible schedule. She has a teen son to help with walks and playtime and a young active pup, Toulouse, who needed a playmate. Erin checked in with this update:

“The boys are doing very well. There was a little jealousy when Tanner first came home but that only lasted a day or two, and they’ve been playing Wrestlemania nonstop since then and have become best of friends. We do have to separate the two of them for bedtime because they will still be going strong at midnight. Tanner now sleeps with my son and Toulouse is in my room. It’s hard to get the two of them to stay still for long.”

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ERIN was rescued with her mom and siblings from a bad situation in Chester, SC. The dogs were all living outside in a pen and due to excessive rain, their pen became submerged in water and debris. Their owner didn’t have the means to fix the situation or properly care for them, so she called Animal Control for help. All the dogs were removed from the property and multiple rescues stepped up to take them in.

Erin was only 6 months old when she was rescued. She was a little timid, but that’s to be expected from a pup that has only known life in a pen. Erin is a submissive pup who is very connected to her humans and has great doggie social skills. We wanted an established, confident pup in her new home and an active family ready for puppy mode. Brittany and Josh applied for another Chi mix pup that was already adopted, but they waited patiently for the right, kid-friendly pup for their family. Britanny shared this update:

“Erin is doing great! She has been enjoying lots of walks, exploring, playtime, naps, and bones. She is already a great listener, and so playful. She is such a sweetheart and already feels like a member of the family! Max was a little hesitant but is warming up to her quickly. They walk well together, often sharing the same smells, and even relax on the couch near each other. They haven’t started playing together yet, even though Erin tries to, but they do play well side-by-side. They are doing a good job sharing toys and bones. The boys have been such a great help with her (helping to walk and feed her and of course play and cuddle her) and she loves everyone but has attached more to me (Max is very attached to my husband, Josh). She hasn’t had any accidents and sleeps all through the night. She does like to bark and often she and Max get each other going, so we have a well-guarded house! Needless to say, we love her so much! ❤❤❤She is such a sweetheart. Thank you so much for all your help."

PUPDATE! Miss Freckles was rescued by a couple of Good Samaritans, who were staying in a local Airbnb in Texas. They saw...
01/08/2024

PUPDATE! Miss Freckles was rescued by a couple of Good Samaritans, who were staying in a local Airbnb in Texas. They saw Freckles and her small senior buddy outside of a vacant home being kept in a yard with no shelter, food, or water in the Texas heat. Both dogs looked thin and depleted. They monitored the situation for a week and realized they had been abandoned. Thankfully, they took action, loading both dogs into their car and bringing them home to SC. They contacted Worthy Dog to help with Miss Freckles, and a local rescue took the little senior pup in.

Over the past six weeks, we’ve seen Freckles come out of her shell and really start to trust. She’s very sweet, submissive pup. She was a little hand-shy at first, but as she feels safe and loved you can see her become more relaxed. She’s discovered toys and loves to play fetch in the yard. She has good house manners and is both housetrained and crate-trained. She’s done well being left at home with the pack or contained with a baby gate...she’ll just nap until you come back.

We’ve learned that Freckles loves to go on walks and sunbathe in the backyard. She’s chill inside the home but will perk up for a walk. She’s more upbeat when paired with another dog and slows down when it's just her. She has been known to chase a squirrel from time to time and is a strong pup who needs a capable handler. Otherwise, she has pretty good leash-walking skills and really enjoys getting out to explore. She also loves car rides and will jump right in when you're ready to go.

Freckles is being fostered in a home with a mom, dad, and 4 other large dogs. She does well as part of a pack and, like many dogs, needs a few days to get her bearings. The first day she was snappy if one of the dogs rushed up to her too quickly, but after a few days, she was wrestling with the resident puppy and doing pack walks with the older dogs. She has a high tolerance for the puppy and is a submissive dog with more moderate/laidback energy.

If you are ready to add a sweet, laidback Bully girl to your home and pack, apply today!

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: APBT/Bully Mix
Age: 3 years
Weight: 62lbs
Other: Good with dogs, kids - NO CATS

Need a little puppy energy and cuteness in your life? Guinness is your guy!This adorable scruffy puppy was surrendered t...
31/07/2024

Need a little puppy energy and cuteness in your life? Guinness is your guy!

This adorable scruffy puppy was surrendered to us by his owner with his sister, Peaches, and their mom, Bunny. Bunny and Peaches have already been adopted and now it’s Guiness’s turn.

Guinness is currently living with a foster mom and dad, two teen girls, multiple adult dogs, and cats, where he is getting love, structure, and valuable socialization time. He’s a little guy at only 7.5 lbs but is on track to be bigger than his mom who weighed 9.5 lbs. We expect him to be 12 to 14 pounds fully grown.

He came to his foster home needing to learn basic manners as all puppies do. He is getting structure and routine in his foster home and is calmer now and even taking naps. He's still all-puppy - curious, playful, eager for attention, and very wiggly about it. He’s learning to be calm for pets and affection, working on his crate and house training, and getting lots of socialization time with his pack. Guinness plays well with other dogs, and while he likes to roughhouse play, he's also respectful when he’s corrected by his pack elders.

This sweet boy needs an active home and family ready for puppy mode. Guinness would love an established, playful dog to learn from in his new home. If you have a puppy-friendly schedule and are ready to potty train and teach basic obedience skills, Apply today!

Guinness will be coming to N. VA on 8/10 ready to go home.

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: Yorkie/Cairn Terrier Mix
Age: 14 weeks old
Weight: 7 lbs
Other: Good with dogs, cats, and kids over 7+ years

Why you should ADOPT POLLY:✔So cute…Ears!✔Playful spirit and zest for life✔Will make you laugh✔Champion snuggle bug✔Grea...
30/07/2024

Why you should ADOPT POLLY:

✔So cute…Ears!
✔Playful spirit and zest for life
✔Will make you laugh
✔Champion snuggle bug
✔Great dog buddy and playmate
✔Perfect size
✔Just look at this dog!

We will never understand why some dogs get overlooked….This sweet girl has truly blossomed in her foster home and deserves a happy ending. She had an unfair start in life, but her natural joy is unmatched. She loves her foster parents and her pack, romping in the yard, and playing with toys, and she is a champion snuggler! We checked in with her foster mom, Shaleia, for an update:

“Polly has come such a long way during her time with us! It has been a pleasure to watch her grow into the confident, loving, and playful dog that she is. She is no longer fearful of car rides or outings to town and really enjoys going on walks, especially if there are lots of new smells to explore. We usually walk her solo because she has a higher energy level than our other two and appreciates a much longer walk. On these solo walks she is one of the easiest dogs on leash I’ve ever handled, she is not reactive at all and doesn’t pull.

Polly loves other dogs and has gained confidence from being part of a pack. She fell in love with our two dogs right away, but it did take us humans some time to earn her trust. Watching her now you wouldn’t believe it! She is very affectionate and loves to cuddle and give kisses. It melts my heart when she comes up to me and pushes her head and shoulder into my chest for a hug. While Polly warmed up to me first, she loves to snuggle and play with my husband and 11-year-old too.

Her two favorite things in life are toys and treats. She can easily entertain herself with a new toy but gets so much joy out of playing tug and keep-away with her people. She loves to chase a ball - and she is fast - but it wouldn’t be fair to call it ‘fetch’ since you have to do some work to get it back, lol. It’s fun to watch Polly play, she is a real athlete and fearlessly leaps and twists to catch her toys. And when it’s time for a treat, Polly can hardly contain her joy and shows off her tap dancing skills.”

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We are looking for a loving, patient family for Polly who will give her time to settle in and adjust to her new surroundings. Once she's comfortable, you'll see her happy-go-lucky nature: she loves to be the center of attention. We think she’d be best in a quieter neighborhood vs. a city or condo setting.

If she gets the opportunity, this sweet girl will charm you, and we can promise she will make you smile and laugh every day.

Please SHARE to help get the word out!

adopt.worthydog.org

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Breed: Terrier Mix
Age: ~4 years
Weight: 35lbs
Other: Great with dogs and best with a dog buddy

Over the weekend, our volunteer, Humera, and her rescue dog, Ava, represented Worthy Dog Rescue at a community event in ...
29/07/2024

Over the weekend, our volunteer, Humera, and her rescue dog, Ava, represented Worthy Dog Rescue at a community event in Alexandria. The Pet Lovers & Resource Fair was sponsored by United Community, Opportunity Neighborhood, and Sequoyah Condominiums. She was able to discuss our mission and the many opportunities to volunteer. It was a fun-filled day with pups, treats, and community building! And of course, Ava charmed everyone as a rescue ambassador.

We are thankful to all our volunteers who give their time to educate their community and take action to improve the lives of dogs. If you've ever thought about volunteering, there are lots of ways to get involved. Just fill out the form on our site or reach out here and we will be in touch: https://worthydog.org/volunteer/sign-up/

Congratulations to our sweet and sassy senior, Peanut, and her new family: Victoria, Jon, and their Chi mix, Pebble.Pean...
28/07/2024

Congratulations to our sweet and sassy senior, Peanut, and her new family: Victoria, Jon, and their Chi mix, Pebble.

Peanut came to the rescue in a roundabout way. She was being given away on social media by her owner and we reached out to take her in, but the owner gave her away before we could take custody. A day later, we got another message from a team member who recognized Peanut’s picture on a local lost and found site… She was 30 minutes away from her new "home" and we were able to secure her from the couple who found her. We quickly learned that she had a lot of s***k and an incredibly good nature. She’s charming!

Victoria and Jon lost their senior pup earlier this year and were set on adopting a senior dog and finding a great companion for Pebble. When they first met Peanut it was an instant connection. Peanut had an upcoming vet appointment to recheck some skin and ear issues so we decided to wait for the all-clear before she went home. When Victoria came to pick her up, Peanut instantly recognized her and was very excited to see her. She hopped right in her car ready to start her new life.

We checked in with Victoria for a quick update:

“Peanut is doing great and is just perfect! We are so lucky and forever thankful to you and her fosters. The pups are doing well, and she is bringing some much-needed energy to the home! It’s been an adjustment for Pebble, but he has already warmed up to her quite a bit in just a couple days! We are taking the introduction slow and steady but I bet they’ll be best buddies in no time :)”

Success!

Reintroducing Krispy aka Christie. This sweet girl was found wandering on the side of the road in Chester, SC pregnant a...
26/07/2024

Reintroducing Krispy aka Christie.

This sweet girl was found wandering on the side of the road in Chester, SC pregnant and foraging for food. Thankfully, a kind person took her in and posted on social media for help. Thankfully, a foster home was available and Christie gave birth just days later to three healthy puppies (Snap, Crackle, and Pop) in the warmth and comfort of a foster home. Christie was a great mom to her pups and they have all been adopted...now it's her turn. ❤️❤️❤️

Christie is only 5 to 6 years old but came from a very neglectful life. She had no prior vet care, likely lived outside, and had dental issues that were causing her pain. The good news is she's completed her heartworm treatment, spay surgery, and had an extensive dental. She’s been living a happy, secure, pain-free life in her foster home for the past few months and is flourishing.

Her foster mom, Renee, and her dog buddy, Ryder, are taking good care of her. Christie and Ryder got along well from the first meeting and had an easy integration. Christie is still figuring out how to play and will go up to Ryder and prance around, but is a little intimidated by his larger size. They run together in the yard and enjoy pack walks and she looks to him for guidance. Christie has great doggie social skills and has done well meeting other family dogs. She loves being part of a pack and is more of a follower than a leader.

Christie's overall energy is laidback. She gets excited when it’s time to eat, when she sees you first thing in the morning, and when you come home. Other than that she’s pretty mellow and loves to snuggle. We feel another established and calm dog in the home would be the best fit for her. She followed Ryder’s lead from day one and they’ve become good friends. They snuggle together on the couch and in bed at night and she finds comfort in his companionship.

Christie is crate-trained and housetrained and will go to the door when she needs to go out. She has been doing short leash walks and seems to enjoy getting out and about. She rides well in the car now and recently did a 4-hour road trip with Renee and slept most of the way. She also has pretty good social skills and has done well meeting friends and family who visit. It takes her a few minutes to trust, but then she’s fine. She loves Renee’s grandkids and will snuggle with them when they visit.

We feel the best home for Christie has a patient owner, a calm environment, and an established dog buddy for companionship. She is skittish around loud noises, so she’s probably not a city dog. She has such a sweet, gentle personality and will make an excellent companion for some lucky owner. Apply today!

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: Chihuahua Mix
Age: 5 to 6 years old
Weight: 13lbs
Other: Great with dogs and kids. Needs a calm home and dog buddy.

ADOPTION SUCCESS X 2!We're celebrating the recent adoptions of Pebbles (Chi) and Ember (Shep Mix) and congratulating the...
25/07/2024

ADOPTION SUCCESS X 2!

We're celebrating the recent adoptions of Pebbles (Chi) and Ember (Shep Mix) and congratulating their new families. We wish you many happy, healthy years to come!

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Pebbles went from being an unwanted dog who was being kept outside and given no vet care, to a pampered city dog. She now has two attentive parents, Angelica and Adolfo, who have the flexibility to work from home and lots of time to spoil her. She has a new Chihuahua sister, Pepa, and a cute fenced yard to romp and play in.

“Pebbles is doing great and blending right in. She sleeps soundly through the night and the two dogs are getting along. They’ve been more curious and then uninterested in each other lol. We went for a walk this morning to introduce her to the neighborhood. She has great energy, has been playing fetch, and is already in guard mode in the house. We’re already getting warm greetings and seeing a very playful little dog. She’s eating well, has already chosen her nap spots throughout the day, and loves exploring her new home and neighborhood. We love her! “

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Ember, now Sami, was born into shelter life in rural South Carolina without a lot of prospects. Thanks to our volunteers, she’s now living her best life in Henrico, VA with Diana and Jose. She has two work-from-home parents who are committed to puppy mode, and a bestie in her big sister, Rylee. Diana checked in with this update:

"Sami Charlotte Cruz" is fitting in and adapting really well to our family. Sami's favorite things are chasing a ball in the yard, playing tug-a-war, eating ice cubes, and trying to eat mulch (YUCK). She LOVES her big sister Rylee and wants to walk, play, and snuggle with her. Rylee is pretty tolerant but thinks zoomies and puppy play are for outside! Sami is learning the house routine quickly and LOVES her daily walking adventures. But most of all...she loves a good soft blanket to curl up on. Sami's favorite spot to snooze and relax is the couch corner and happily snuggles up to her humans to sleep too.”

Meet Ivy. This sweet girl was just rescued from an unstable situation. She was surrendered to the rescue by her owner, w...
23/07/2024

Meet Ivy. This sweet girl was just rescued from an unstable situation. She was surrendered to the rescue by her owner, who loves her but is an addict and can not properly care for her or himself. Ivy has been living tied to a tree outside a dilapidated trailer with no power or running water. An animal advocate in the community became aware of the situation and wanted to help her. Initially, we supplied food and fresh water for Ivy and planned to provide a source of shelter, but as we became more aware of the situation, we knew we had to get her out.

Ivy’s owner was leaving her tied out unspayed, unprotected, and was often gone for long periods. Dogs are roaming in the community that could harm her and she would not be able to get away. She also recently had a litter of puppies, and we are unsure what happened to them. The owner needed some convincing to let her go, but with an upcoming court appearance and prior record, there's a chance he could be incarcerated. He made the unselfish decision to do what is best for her, and today is the first day of her new life.

Ivy has already been to the vet today and is feeling better. She is still postpartum and was covered in fleas, has some superficial bite wounds that are still healing, and has fly bites on her ears. Thankfully she was negative for heartworm and appears to be in general good health. She will be spending her first night in her foster home, safe and protected, and possibly experiencing the first peaceful sleep she’s ever known.

Meet Guinness! This adorable scruffy puppy was surrendered to us by his owner. Guinness was the result of irresponsible ...
22/07/2024

Meet Guinness! This adorable scruffy puppy was surrendered to us by his owner. Guinness was the result of irresponsible owners who did not spay their pet to protect her from getting pregnant. We don’t know his owner’s intentions, but their inaction led to another litter of unwanted puppies coming into the world. The owner gave four of the puppies away, but we were able to secure Guinness, his sister, Peaches, and their mom, Bunny. Bunny and Peaches have already been adopted and now it’s Guiness’s turn.

Guinness is currently living with a foster mom and dad, two teen girls, multiple adult dogs, and cats, where he is getting love, structure, and valuable socialization time. He’s a little guy at only 7 lbs but is on track to be bigger than his mom, Bunny, who weighed 9.5 lbs. We expect him to be 12 to 14 pounds fully grown.

He came to his foster home as a ball of energy and needed to learn basic manners but is getting a puppy boot camp in his foster home and showing improvement quickly. He’s calmer now and even taking naps, he's eager for attention and is very wiggly about it. He’s learning he needs to be calm for pets and affection, working on his crate and house training, and getting lots of socialization time with his pack. We’ve already learned that Guinness plays well with other dogs, and while he likes to roughhouse play, he's also respectful when he’s corrected by his pack elders.

This sweet boy needs a family ready for puppy mode and some small dog experience is preferred. Guinness would love a social, adult dog to learn from in his new home and he does well as part of a pack. Guinness has started his vetting and will be coming to N. VA on 8/10 ready to go home.

If you have a puppy-friendly schedule and are ready to potty train and teach basic obedience skills to a young, tiny puppy, Apply today!

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: Yorkie/Cairn Terrier Mix
Age: 13 weeks old
Weight: 7 lbs
Other: Good with dog, cats, kids over 7+ years
Other: Good with dogs, cats, and kids

Meet Stevie. This adorable Lab mix puppy was rescued from a neglectful home. She was being kept in a tiny crate living u...
20/07/2024

Meet Stevie. This adorable Lab mix puppy was rescued from a neglectful home. She was being kept in a tiny crate living under a deck behind her owner’s mobile home enduring the intense heat of the South Carolina summer. A neighbor became concerned for her welfare as she had no access to fresh water or regular meals and was very thin. Her owner would leave Stevie alone for days so the neighbor started feeding her and bringing fresh water, and while Animal Control was contacted multiple times, action was never taken. Thankfully, Stevie was released to our rescue and is now enjoying the love and comfort of her foster home.

Stevie is currently being fostered as an only dog, but has proven to have good doggie social skills and would love a pup buddy in her new home. She has regular playdates with the neighbor's older dogs, and she is respectful of boundaries and a gentle player who adjusts to the other dog’s energy and style. Stevie is crate-trained and amazingly doesn’t have a negative association with the crate. Her foster mom has made sure to associate it with special treats (frozen peanut butter Kongs) when she goes in.

Overall, Stevie is a sweet, innocent puppy who is very snuggly. She likes to lay on her foster mom’s lap to cuddle and follows her everywhere. While she had an unfortunate early life experience, that has not impacted her social skills at all. She loves meeting new people and dogs and is so trainable — she’s smart and food-motivated. Her favorites include cheese, peanut butter, antlers, soft treats, and scrambled eggs. She already knows “sit”, has good leash skills, and is a social pup you can take everywhere. Stevie is also an active puppy who loves to play and needs a family ready for puppy mode. She needs toys and regular engagement to keep her out of trouble, and like all puppies, will benefit from structure and routine.

Stevie aims to please her person and is very obedient. She’s a puppy who just needs time to learn the rules and what’s expected. She still has some puppy mouthiness and is working on potty training, but is mostly there. She needs regular, consistent potty breaks and you can’t fully trust her with free-roam privileges in the home just yet. Her foster mom takes her on multiple walks a day and she has good leash-walking skills. She does well interacting with other dogs on leash and is curious and enthusiastic to meet them.

This sweet pup was lucky to be rescued so young and has a long, happy life ahead of her. She’s a gem of a pup and we can’t wait to see her flourish in her new home.

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: Lab Mix
Age: 6 months
Weight: 39lbs
Other: Great with dogs and all humans!

Meet Izzy. This sweet young pup was abandoned by her owner in Lake Wylie, SC. They decided they no longer wanted her and...
19/07/2024

Meet Izzy. This sweet young pup was abandoned by her owner in Lake Wylie, SC. They decided they no longer wanted her and just dropped her off in a neighborhood and left her there defenseless to fend for herself. Some tenants in the community started feeding her but when they were evicted and had to leave, Izzy was once again on her own. A Good Samaritan saw her lying on the deck of the empty home waiting for their return and reached out to Worthy Dog for help. This sweet girl deserves so much better, and our team is already working hard to give that to her.

Izzy is in a foster home with a mom and dad, three dogs, and two cats. She was immediately accepted into the pack and has good doggy energy. She respects her pack and shares food/attention well. She also connects to her human quickly, and once she settles in, she's very much a lap dog. Izzy is crate-trained and quickly learned to use the doggy door. She has good house manners and has already earned free roam privileges in the home. She's done well meeting visitors to her foster home and loves people — it takes her a minute to warm up but once she does, she’s all about the pets.

Izzy has been through a lot of change over the last few months and was anxious when she first arrived at her foster home. She whined for a day or two when left alone, needing time to trust her new environment...but who can blame her. Like many Terriers, she can be vocal at times, so we don't feel she's a great fit for a condo or apartment and would benefit from having a dog buddy or two in her new home. She does settle in and work through things, but being part of a pack helps with her confidence and makes her less anxious.

Izzy has a natural joy for life. She is super sweet and cuddly, loves to give kisses, and loves her toys. She has a moderate energy level and is a happy little dog who will make a great companion.

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: Rat Terrier Mix
Age: ~ 2 years old
Weight: 14lbs
Other: Good with dogs, kids, and cats....Not a condo dog

Loki is wondering why not one person has shown interest in him.....😢 He's a good boy who has blossomed in his foster hom...
16/07/2024

Loki is wondering why not one person has shown interest in him.....😢 He's a good boy who has blossomed in his foster home and deserves a family to love.

We are looking for a FOSTER OR ADOPTER for our handsome boy Loki.

Loki currently lives with his foster mom and dad, Lou and Scotty, and two large GSDs (one young and one senior) and has had regular meetings with the grandkids who visit. He’s very adaptable and does well as part of a pack. Loki is respectful of the senior dog and has found a playmate in the younger dog. He has a more passive/submissive nature around other dogs.

Loki is fully crate-trained and housetrained and while he’s active, he is calm in the house and enjoys cuddling on the couch. He's earned free roam privileges at night to stay out with the other dogs and has had no issues. Loki is also a great car rider and loves to go and do. He accompanied Lou and her granddaughter to get a haircut over the weekend and did great meeting all the employees — no barking. He also went to the pet store and everyone there fell in love with him, the customers and employees gave him lots of attention, and he ate it up!

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We checked in with Lou for an update:

"Loki is so cute you can't help but fall in love. He’s a young dog who does well with structure and routine. He’s learned how to sit on command, loves treats, and toys, and playing tug of war is his favorite thing.

He has a medium energy and while he enjoys playtime in the yard, he’s also learned to settle down and relax. He’s young but does not have the destructive tendencies of a puppy. He enjoys yard time and playing chase with the other dogs, but plays well by himself too. Loki is more measured in his playstyle vs. rough and tumble and will complement most dogs. He really is a good-natured boy.”

*****
We want to bring Loki to town to start his new life, and we are looking for a fun, active family for him. Loki will do fine as an only dog as long as he has an engaged owner to play with him. He would enjoy a dog buddy too.

Apply today! - adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: Lab/Husky Mix
Age: 11 - 12 months
Weight: 57 lbs
Other: Social boy - good with dogs and kids!

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PUPDATE! Duke is staying over the weekend at the vet hospital for support and observation. He is stable and feeling better, but he has some healing to do. We checked in with our Vet friends for an update on him..... "He’s very sweet. You can tell he wants to play and eat everything. He just walks over and pushes his head against anyone. He loves attention. Great dog." Better days are coming for this sweet boy.

Mary
Mary

Are you looking for a good-natured family dog who is great with kids, dogs, and cats? Then Mary is your pup. This loveable Lab is sweet, cuddly, and playful, and will make an incredible addition to any pack. Mary’s foster parents adore her and say she’s been an incredible houseguest. She has such a good nature and impeccable social skills with both humans and animals. Her foster parents have a dog walking/pet sitting business and can only foster very adaptable dogs. Mary integrated easily with her foster pack and has done well meeting all the client dogs, seeing them as new playmates and snuggle buddies. Mary is still a young pup at around 1.5 to 2 years old. She loves to be around people and makes friends quickly. She greets new people with a wagging tail, loves to snuggle, and will lean into you for pets. She is very gentle and has been around kids ages 1 to 10 years old. Her favorite things include romping around the yard, playing with a pup buddy, and cuddling with her humans. She's a big fan of treats too! We are looking for a fun, active home for this gorgeous Lab girl with a preference for a dog buddy in her home. Apply today! adopt.worthydog.org Breed: Black Lab Mix Age: ~ 1.5 yo Weight: ~ 57lbs Other: Super social pup - good with men, women, kids, dogs and cats too!

Looking for a super sweet, good natured family dog? Mary is your girl!

Meet Big Boy
Meet Big Boy

Meet Big Boy! This gorgeous Shepherd Mix has not had a lot of stability in his young life but he still has a very sweet and trusting nature. He’s a fun-loving, goofy boy who was adopted from a Charlotte shelter as a baby puppy and ended up a stray in a rural SC county shelter only months later. He was adopted again, still very much a puppy, then returned to the shelter a few months later by a family who was not the right fit for a young, active pup. He was failed by the system multiple times but through it all, he’s maintained a positive outlook on life’s adventures, loves people, and has excellent doggy social skills. Big Boy's luck changed when he caught the eye of one of our seasoned foster moms, Laine, who also volunteers at the shelter. She wanted to help him, and after seeing him in regular doggy play groups, felt he would fit in well with her pack. Big Boy has been in his foster home for 1.5 weeks, living with Laine, Gary, and their three GSDs. He's done well with his new pack and found a buddy and playmate in the youngest dog, Girl. Big Boy is housetrained and crate-trained and can jump a 4.5 ft baby gate without a second thought. He LOVES toys of all kinds, playing chase with Girl in the backyard, and frolicking in the resident kiddy pool. He can be vocal when he plays with the other dogs but it’s just his style. He likes to talk to them and knows to respect their boundaries. Big Boy has spurts of energy but can also be chill in the home…he’s more of a moderate-energy dog who loves to play. At first, Big Boy was a little anxious in his new home when Laine would leave him alone. He would whine and jump the baby gate to find her. But, after a week of settling in, he stays in the kitchen and plays with his toys, entertaining himself when she is in another room. Laine leaves him crated with a Kong when she leaves the home, and he does fine with that. Laine is starting to take him out on more walks and expose him to new things and so far he's don

Mary’s 12 days of Christmas puppies are getting more active and playful by the day. A few folks have inquired about our supply needs for the family so we created an Amazon wish list if you’d like to help- https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/DZ4AN00NOM8?ref_=wl_share ***** Pregnant mamma Mary was brought into a local shelter right before Christmas. The facility was at over capacity, so they set up a temporary spot in their bathroom and sent out pleas for help. The next morning they were greeted with 12 newborn puppies nursing from a very proud Mary. Worthy Dog was able to find a foster family, Ginny and John, to take in Mary and her 12 puppies until they are weaned and ready to be adopted. We are so thankful for their generosity and care for this family. Mary and the puppies have been with them over a month now and all are doing well.

Snow Day!
Snow Day!

WDR alum Casey may be a southern belle by birth, but she has embraced her inner snow dog… Did you take time out to play in the snow today?

Daisy’s first snow
Daisy’s first snow

Finally, a snow day in DC! Check out WDR alum Daisy (formerly Indie) experiencing her first snow. Daisy was rescued as a tiny puppy being offered up with her siblings to passersby at the local Walmart. Today, she’s almost a year old, 55lbs, and living her best life in a loving home and finding joy in the snow. Show us your snow pics if you got out to enjoy the day!

Joey Update!
Joey Update!

PUPDATE! What a difference a few days makes. This video makes us smile 🥰 Joey is only a few days post-op after a pretty extensive dental that required 13 extractions and multiple abscesses in his mouth to address. Today, he’s romping around with his new pack, and you can just see his joy. His foster mom reports that “Joey is feeling a lot better. He has much more energy and is prancing around. He is interested in treats with the others and even trotted a little while outside. I can definitely tell that he is feeling good today!”” This tiny little guy was found as a stray wandering on a dirt road only a few weeks ago. He was underweight, covered in fleas, had lost chunks of his coat, and had a mouth rife with infection. He was obviously in a lot of pain and was fortunate to find his way to rescue. Rescuing outside and neglected dogs is at the core of our mission, and these pups typically require significantly more medical care and rehabilitation time. Thank you to everyone who has donated to his care. The procedures cost $2,000, but we think it’s worth it and really appreciate your support. Giving is easy at worthydog.org/donate or Venmo at @worthydogrescue

It's showtime....Merry Christmas!

Congratulations!
Congratulations!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported our Portraits for Pups fundraiser and to the 5 fabulous and generous artists who donated their time and talent to help our senior girl, Grace, get the life-changing cataract surgery she needs to restore her sight. We raised an incredible $8,237 and are excited to announce our five big winners!!!! * Alana H.- Artist: Angela Alexander - IG: @angelaalexanderart * Reagan Y. - Artist: Jon Clingenpeel - IG: @jonathanryanart * Terri B. - Artist: Emily Oliver - IG: @olivine_fox_artwork * Elijah K. - Artist: Ginny Kinsey - ginnykinsey.com * Thomas B. - Artist: Annemarie Kuhns - IG: @lovepluslino We will reach out to all the lucky winners directly to connect you with your artist. Thank you to everyone who participated, and if you didn't win and would still like a portrait of your pup, contact these exceptional dog-loving artists!

Don’t tell Chandler Bing that he’s being entertained by a cat toy…He’s all in.

Penned Dogs
Penned Dogs

This adorable family includes a mom, dad, adolescent son, and three 7-week-old puppies who were living outside in a filthy pen with dirty water and had no vet care. This is another example of owners not choosing to spay/neuter their pets, and, as a result, a new litter of puppies needs rescue. The family tried to surrender these dogs to their county shelter, but they were at full capacity. A local animal advocate became aware of their situation and reached out to us for help. We are happy to share that the family has surrednered the adult dogs too, so they can have a better life. Worthy Dog is taking in all three adults and one puppy, and we partnered with a SC-based puppy rescue to help with the puppies and get them into foster homes quickly. Fortunately, we got them all out right before the temperatures dropped. The puppies are only 7 weeks old and so tiny (2-3 lbs), so they are more vulnerable to the elements and none of these dogs have had any vet care…so we are starting from scratch. Welcome Truman (dad), Oliver (mom), Howie (adolescent), and Chandler Bing (puppy) to Worthy Dog Rescue. Updates to follow as we get them settled in.

Dolly Goes Home!
Dolly Goes Home!

ADOPTION SUCCESS! This morning, we are celebrating the adoption of our adorable Beagle girl, Dolly. This is a true rags-to-riches story, and we are so happy for Dolly and her new family. Dolly was rescued by one of our SC foster moms, Johanna, who saw her posted as a free giveaway on a page called “One Man’s Junk.” She was concerned for her welfare and reached out to learn more. Apparently, Dolly had wandered up to this family’s home as a stray. They contacted Animal Control for help and were told they were full and would have to euthanize her, so they posted her on this site to find a home. Johanna contacted us to see if we could take Dolly in and offered to foster her, which changed the course of Dolly’s life. Dolly was very thin, covered in fleas, and had inflamed skin. She would need stability and some TLC to recover and was fortunate to have two great foster families help with her journey home. When she came to the DC metro area, she was still rehabilitating and needed someone to help her acclimate. She needed work on leash skills and meeting new dogs, and exposure to all the unfamiliar noises and activity of a more active area. She lucked out to have Jeff and Carissa as her foster family, who invested a lot of love, effort, and time into getting her ready to go home. Yesterday, Dolly met her new family and it was a surprise for the kids. Her parents did an early meeting while the kids were in school and secretly ordered supplies this week in preparation for her arrival. She now has a mom, dad, and two kids who adore her, with a big yard to romp around in. She is going to have a full, happy life and never be abandoned again. Dolly’s new dad, Ryan, sent us this update: “The kids are over the moon. Dolly had an amazing day. She ran and played in our yard, and while not technically off leash (I kept her 5 foot leash attached) she ran for a good half an hour playing fetch and then slept for an hour. She’s currently snuggled between the happiest

Polly
Polly

We want to share the other side of Polly…This girl is a happy, playful, and loving pup with a zest for life. With her foster family, Polly is wide open and always wants to be part of any activity. Her favorite hobbies are wrestling matches with her pack, racing around the backyard, playing with toys, going for walks, and long snuggling on the couch. Everything she does, she does with enthusiasm — she really is a very sweet girl who just needs a patient adopter to give her time to settle in and trust. Polly has come such a long way since we first took her in. This sweet girl was the victim of our broken justice system that treats dogs as property and affords them few rights or protections. Polly was confiscated as a baby puppy and grew up in the shelter, isolated from most people and the outside world for two years while the court system worked through its process and considered her evidence. She was robbed of her first two years and didn’t get the same typical exposures that most family dogs and even dogs in the shelter have and learn from. Polly has been with two foster families over the past year who have worked with her to help her acclimate to home life and work through her fears. She has gained confidence in facing new things, and her initial fear response is less intense. She’s improved with visitors coming to the home and loves having doggie play dates. The Polly you see in this video is the one adopters on a first-time meetup don’t see. Polly has been consistently overlooked because she’s timid about meeting new people. At a meetup, she will probably shy away and may even bark at first…she’s just uncertain, never aggressive. Our challenge is finding an adopter who can see past her initial timid nature and wants to help her realize her full potential. We know there is a kind-hearted person out there who is ready to invest a little time and love into this sweet Bully girl. In return, they will get an amazing dog who brings joyful energy to

Dolly says “Oppressive heat, no problem.” She’s still getting her steps in!

Dolly says “Oppressive heat, no problem.” She’s still getting her steps in! Learn more about this sweet Beagle girl - https://bit.ly/3q66rrv Breed: Beagle Mix Age: 10-11 mos Weight: 30lbs Other....sugar sweet and lots of fun!

Paco is home!
Paco is home!

ADOPTION SUCCESS! Paco lost his home after his family had a new baby. He was with them for almost two years, but they had concerns about him being nippy and unpredictable around the baby. We asked if they had reached out to a trainer for professional support to try to work through the issues. They had not…Some dogs need time and structure to adapt to an infant. Not only does the baby change the home dynamic, but they often mean tired and distracted parents too. We believe that Paco deserved the benefit of formal training, but were happy to help him find his forever home. Paco hit the jackpot when he was adopted last month by Amy & Will, and has a new best buddy named Winston in his family pack. The two pups were fast friends and make great use of their gorgeous yard overlooking the water. Paco has a dad who works from home now and he gets lots of love and attention. Amy checked in with this cute update. "Hi! Thank you! Paco is so loved here….We really couldn’t be happier. It already felt like he was our little guy on the ride home. He is doing so well. He has been eating great and adjusted so much easier than expected. He hasn’t tested the water yet, but he likes the boat! He is doing so well. It took him a few days to warm up to my husband, Will, but now they are tight lol. We took him to a park yesterday and he was great with everyone.. No growling and was just tail-wagging all day. We love him so so much…Thank you for everything!"

Paco is home!
Paco is home!

ADOPTION SUCCESS! Paco lost his home after his family had a new baby. He was with them for almost two years, but they had concerns about him being nippy and unpredictable around the baby. We asked if they had reached out to a trainer for professional support to try to work through the issues. They had not…Some dogs need time and structure to adapt to an infant. Not only does the baby change the home dynamic, but they often mean tired and distracted parents too. We believe that Paco deserved the benefit of formal training, but were happy to help him find his forever home. Paco hit the jackpot when he was adopted last month by Amy & Will, and has a new best buddy named Winston in his family pack. The two pups were fast friends and make great use of their gorgeous yard overlooking the water. Paco has a dad who works from home now and he gets lots of love and attention. Amy checked in with this cute update. "Hi! Thank you! Paco is so loved here….We really couldn’t be happier. It already felt like he was our little guy on the ride home. He is doing so well. He has been eating great and adjusted so much easier than expected. He hasn’t tested the water yet, but he likes the boat! He is doing so well. It took him a few days to warm up to my husband, Will, but now they are tight lol. We took him to a park yesterday and he was great with everyone.. No growling and was just tail-wagging all day. We love him so so much…Thank you for everything!"

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Every dog is a worthy dog.

Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping dogs in distress, especially those living on chains, in pens, or in neglectful and abusive situations. Our mission is to provide a better life for these dogs through rescue and rehabilitation, outreach and education in the communities we serve, and addressing the root causes of animal overpopulation. We take a comprehensive approach to improving animal welfare because every dog we can keep in its home, make healthy, or prevent from having puppies is another dog saved.