Worthy Dog Rescue

16/01/2025

PUPDATE - Tommy’s first day of Board & Train!

Tommy’s story began in South Carolina, where he was found running as a stray and taken to a rural county shelter. As a shy boy in need of confidence building, Tommy spent months at the shelter with no interest from adopters, and as a large black dog—a group that often gets overlooked—his chances of finding a home at the shelter were slim.

Thankfully, Tommy caught the attention of one of our dedicated foster moms, Laine, who volunteers at the shelter. Recognizing his potential, she offered to foster him. Tommy quickly and seamlessly integrated into her pack, and it didn’t take long for his sweet nature to shine through. He also displayed a natural talent for getting along with other dogs and clearly loved being part of a pack. However, it became evident that Tommy felt uneasy when left alone and lacked confidence in unfamiliar environments.

In late November, Tommy made the journey to the DC metro area and is now being fostered in Montgomery Village, MD—a much busier, semi-urban environment compared to his rural beginnings. With his foster mom away for the next 10 days on a cruise, we engaged one of our trusted trainers, Joel, from Sally's Way Dog Services, for a two-week board-and-train program.

The primary goals for Tommy’s training are to build his confidence, gradually introduce him to new experiences, and help him feel more at ease with crate time and being alone. Joel shared a video from Tommy’s first day of training, showing how he worked to build trust and make Tommy feel safe in their relationship. Facing new challenges together is already helping Tommy grow, and he’s off to a fantastic start!

15/01/2025

Meet Cash! This sweet Dachshund mix was found running as a stray by our favorite Fed Ex driver and animal advocate, Paula, in Kings Mountain, NC. She took him in, contacted the local shelter, and posted on social media, but no one was looking for this sweet boy. He was not neutered or microchipped, but quickly proved to be a confident, social little guy. We suspect he lived in a home and had some early socialization. Paula reached out to our team for assistance, and we are happy to help Good Samaritans who take action to help a dog in need.

Cash spent a month in his South Carolina foster home, living with another dog and enjoying regular visits from the grandkids while he completed his vetting. His foster mom described him as a social, active, and cuddly pup who meets new people with ease and thrives as part of a pack.

In early December, Cash came up to DC, where he’s now embracing city life with his new foster family. He quickly bonded with the young dog in his foster home, finding an instant playmate, and has adapted well to the city’s sights and sounds. His leash skills are still a work in progress, sometimes he’s cooperative, sometimes he has a mind of his own. With a little training, he’ll be strutting his stuff like a pro in no time.

FOSTER MOM UPDATE

“Cash is an active and loving dog. He’s happy all the time and always ready to play. He is such a wiggle butt, his whole back end wiggles when he gets excited. As a young pup, he needs to get his energy out or he will find his way into mischief. I make sure he has plenty of bones and bully sticks to keep him busy. He’s ready to go first thing in the morning after having breakfast. I put both dogs out in the yard, and they run and run and burn off that energy. They are both ready to relax when they come in.

When Cash first arrived, everything was new to him, but he picked up things really quickly. He has learned “No”, “Come”, and “Down” already. He is fully housebroken and will go to the door when he needs to go out or first wakes up from a nap. He was not a fan of the crate at first but has learned that when I put my shoes on, he gets a treat. I toss his treat into the crate, and he goes in. He’s fine until I get home. I tried to leave him out one day, and he chewed up some flip-flops, so I think he’s still a little too young to be trusted out on his own.

When Cash first arrived, everything was new to him, but he picks up things really quickly. He has learned “No”, “Come”, and “Down” already. He is fully housebroken and will go to the door when he needs to go out or first wakes up from a nap. He was not a fan of the crate at first but has learned that when I put my shoes on, he gets a treat. I toss his treat into the crate, and he goes in. He’s fine until I get home. I tried to leave him out one day, and he chewed up some flip-flops, so I think he’s still a little too young to be trusted out on his own.

Cash sleeps in his bed beside my bed every night and sleeps soundly through the night. He is always next to me when I’m sitting on the couch and is my shadow around the house. As far as getting out and about, he does well in the car but his leash skills are a work in progress. Some days he’s right on track, other days he has a mind of his own. I have to be very consistent when working with him. If he gets his way one day, he starts his next day by being stubborn. He needs someone that will hold him to the rules.”

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Cash needs an active home, and would love to have a pup buddy to play with.He’s excellent with kids and will make a great family dog. Apply today!

aodpt.worthydog.org

Breed: Dachshund Mix
Age: 1 year old
Weight: 25 lbs
Other: Good with dogs, kids, men, women...Cats unknown

14/01/2025

Meet Otter! Otter is the puppy of Oliver, who was rescued just two weeks ago from a heartbreaking situation—living tied to a tree and exposed to the elements. Otter’s mom faced the same neglect, tied out in the yard unspayed and unprotected. Sadly, this led to puppies, including Otter.

Fortunately, Otter was able to nurse with his mom for at least six weeks before they were separated, and his mom was given away. While we’re heartbroken that we couldn’t rescue his mom, we’re fully committed to finding Otter the loving home he deserves.

Now 8 to 9 weeks old, Otter is thriving in his foster home with a mom, dad, two dogs, and multiple cats. His foster mom is a vet tech, so he accompanies her to work during the day, and has become a favorite among the staff. He’s in the perfect environment for a young pup, getting plenty of socialization and exposure to new experiences.

Foster mom update:

“Otter is becoming more active, he loves playing but he does take several longish naps throughout the day. He is very social, he loves playing with my two dogs and enjoys playdates with a couple of my friends’ puppies too. He does well meeting new people and loves attention. We are working on potty training and it’s a learning process. He does well in his crate overnight and when he is with me at work we do frequent potty breaks, but he is still too young to be trusted. We regularly visit my mom’s house where there are kids 6, 13, and 15 years old and he loves them. He’ll make a great family dog.”

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: AmStaff/Bully Mix
Age: 8 to 9 weeks
Weight: 10lbs
Other: Social, confident puppy good with dogs, cats and kids

13/01/2025

We’re so happy to share this adoption update on Tater! Originally scheduled to arrive on transport this past weekend to meet his new family, the trip was delayed by a week due to bad weather in the South. Megan, his soon-to-be mom, couldn’t wait to welcome him and introduce him to her two boys.

With plans to be out of town next weekend—and not wanting to miss the joy of her kids meeting their very first family dog—Megan and her sister decided to take matters into their own hands. After giving the ice a day to thaw, they hopped into their SUV and set off on a road trip to South Carolina to bring Tater home!

The introduction happened last night and was a complete surprise to both boys. Megan shared this update:

“I just wanted to let you know that Tate is settling in just fine and it’s just the best puppy imaginable. It was a complete surprise to our boys. I absolutely knew my younger son would be excited, but my older son has been desperately wanting a fish so I wasn’t sure how he would react. He has just been ecstatic and wants to be involved in every single thing Tate does. Thank you again so much for bringing him into our lives.”

Happy Monday!

11/01/2025

Good Morning!

As you wake up to feed your pups and grab your coffee, we’re thrilled to share that Oliver is safe, warm, and living indoors for the very first time in his young life. Previously, Oliver was tied to a tree with no shelter, living a life of isolation and hardship. Thanks to concerned neighbors and our rescue, he was surrendered and given the chance at a better life.

This marks the first week of Oliver’s new life. He’s now safe and settling into his foster home, where he’ll spend the coming weeks adjusting to home life, regaining his health, and slowly getting to know the other dogs in his new environment.

His foster mom, Lou, shares: “Oliver is the sweetest and wants to cuddle all the time! He’s loving being inside the house, nice and warm, instead of outside in these freezing temperatures with snow and sleet falling.”

09/01/2025

Little Miss Callie is still waiting for a family to love….

Callie is a special pup in many ways. She’s social, loving, playful, and was born blind. Living without sight is all she’s ever known and it doesn’t deter her. She has blossomed into a self-sufficient and social pup who loves her people and pup pack. She lives a full life and is a happy dog who will bring joy and positive energy into your home.

Callie is a special pup in many ways. She’s social, loving, playful, and was born blind. Living without sight is all she’s ever known and it doesn’t deter her. She has blossomed into a self-sufficient and social pup who loves her people and is as sweet as she can be. She lives a full life and is a happy dog who will bring joy and positive energy into your home.

Callie is excellent with other dogs (large and small) and loves being part of a pack. She's currently living with three dogs and has done well with every dog we've introduced her to. She finds comfort in other dogs and would do best with a dog buddy in her new home. We checked in with her foster mom, Leah, for an update:

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“Callie is very confident once she gets her bearings straight. She learned the layout of our home quickly. She explored to learn where everything was - especially the kitchen! The only times I've seen her be hesitant is when she is outdoors in a new spot for the first time - all of the smells and noises can be a little intimidating…so she just needs time to learn her turf.

She integrated into our home very quickly. She found the toys - she likes tuggy ones, Nylabones, and the stuffed toys that make the crinkle sounds - but her absolute favorite toys were my slippers. They had little pouf balls on them and she enjoyed ripping the balls off (which was totally okay they were cheapies off Amazon).

Callie is playful and would love a canine playmate in her new home. She’s also very snuggly and likes to cuddle on the couch with you. She loves my husband, Chris, and has charmed our most resistant dog, Molly. Callie loves to explore our backyard and is good about going potty outside now. She can hold it through the night and will use a p*e pad for backup. She can do short steps and we have trained to use our 4 front steps into the house and then the doggie steps to the couch.

Honestly, you sometimes forget she's blind because she doesn't act impaired. She is a really happy-go-lucky dog with lots of love to give.”

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Everyone who meets Callie loves her…Apply today to learn more! been to a neurologist and is on medication that helps control the symptoms of her condition. The meds have worked incredibly well. We can’t change the fact that she’s blind, but otherwise, she is symptom-free. Dogs like Callie can live a healthy, happy full life and that’s what we expect for her.

Everyone who meets Callie, loves her. Apply today to learn more about this fabulous pup!

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: Terrier/Chi mix
Age: 1-1.5 year old
Weight: 16lbs
Location: Alexandria, VA
Other: Social, friendly, good with dogs both large and small

08/01/2025

PUPDATE!

Charlie and his brother Clyde were surrendered to our rescue by the only family they had ever known. Sadly, these two senior dogs had been kept in a basement, receiving little care or engagement. When they arrived, both were in dire need of dental work, suffering from pain and infection. Thankfully, they have now been fully vetted and are on the mend. Charlie and Clyde are currently thriving in separate foster homes, where they are receiving the love and attention they’ve always deserved—and they’re flourishing!.

Charlie is an easygoing and affectionate boy who is very connected to his people. While he may be a senior, he still has some pep in his step, especially when it’s time for meals or heading out on a walk. Every now and then, Charlie lets his playful side shine, zipping up and down the hallway with joyful zoomies. He thrives on being part of a family and will greet you with boundless enthusiasm and love every time you come home. All Charlie wants is to belong and share his heart with his forever people.

Charlie is currently being fostered by Tonia, who is retired, and her Maltese mix, Riley. He integrated seamlessly into his foster home, quickly adapting to his new surroundings. We recently checked in with Tonia for an update on how Charlie is doing:

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“Charlie is super sweet, super easy, and super loving. He listens well, and has such a sweet personality. He’s a social little guy who loves everyone. Anyone would be lucky to have him and he deserves the best

He’s great with all humans and loves men as well as women…which is not as common in rescue dogs. I’d love to see a male in his new home. He’s also good with every dog he meets and would benefit from another laid back buddy in his new home. I think he would be ok as an only dog as long as he gets a lot of attention.

As a senior boy, he really needs someone with a flexible schedule, work from home or retired would be ideal. When I’m home, we do regualr potty breaks. He’s had few accidents and he sleeps through the night without issue. Charlie does not need a fenced yard. He'll bark, but it's rare. So a condo, apartment, townhome, whatever, would be fine.”

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Charlie is a sweet and calm pup who deserves to live out his golden years in a loving home. He has good house manners, makes a good pup companion, and loves to cuddle. Apply today!

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: Maltese
Age: ~ 11 yo
Weight: 10.5 lbs
Other: Great with dogs, cats, and all humans

06/01/2025

Some of our WDR pups are enjoying their snow day…

Sweet Sklyar looks so pretty in her winter hat. The snow does not faze her, and she’s ready for life’s new adventures and hoping to attract a special family to love.

Handsome Luke apparently loves the cold and the snow, too. Every day, he likes to hang out and lie on the top of a hill in his neighborhood to watch all the other dogs pass by during their walks — the master overseeing his kingdom. Today was no different; he just laid in the snow, and his lovely foster parents accommodated him. He’s one lucky boy!

Duke and WDR alum Gus loved the snow and started playing first thing this morning. Duke’s foster mom notes that Gus has to take brief breaks to re-energize after ongoing wrestle and chase matches with Duke, who is 4x his size 😂

Show us your pup's snow day pics in the comments!

06/01/2025

Polly enjoying an early morning romp in the fresh powder...

06/01/2025

As hard as it is to believe that someone would leave their dog outside in this frigid, deadly weather, it happens every day in some communities. Please be aware of the animals in your area. As the caretakers/domesticators of these animals, we have the obligation to protect them, and its the right thing to do.

TAKE ACTION – If you see a dog being left outside in these freezing temperatures, the exposure can be deadly. Please call your local Animal Control, Police, or Sheriff’s Department, an animal shelter, or the Humane Society to report it and get help. If you have a relationship with the owner, sometimes reaching out with an offer to help can have impact too.

Leaving a dog outdoors in this weather is animal cruelty and it's against the law. Every state has laws prohibiting animal cruelty, but a law is only as good as its enforcement, and that's why animals rely on us to protect them by reporting animal abuse.

Here are some local numbers to call:

- Alexandria Animal Control – tel:(703)838-4444
- Arlington County Animal Control – tel:(703)931-9241
- Fairfax County Animal Control – tel:(703)691-2131
- Loudoun County Animal Control – tel:(703)777-0406
- DC Animal Care and Control - tel:(202)576-6664
- Montgomery County Animal Services – tel:(240)773-5900
- PG County Animal Control - tel:(301)780-7200
- Anne Arundel County Animal Control - tel:(410)222-8900

If your county is not listed above, search online to find your local animal control or local shelter.

PLEASE SHARE!

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-
do-if-you-see-pet-left-out-cold?

It can be a crime to leave pets outside in extreme temperatures without food and shelter.

05/01/2025

PUPDATE! Scout is checking in to let everyone know he’s still as awesome as ever—and still looking for his forever home! This sweet boy is a total love bug and the perfect medium-sized pup with just the right amount of energy. He’s active and ready for walks or adventures when you are but equally happy to curl up next to you on the couch as a champion snuggler. Scout is a social butterfly who meets new people and other dogs with ease. He’s also a pro at car rides, making him the perfect sidekick for all of life’s adventures.

Scout is currently being fostered in a home with several other dogs and even cats, and he fits right in as part of the pack. This well-mannered boy is crate-trained, house-trained, and has never had an accident in his foster home. Although he’s comfortable in a crate, Scout quickly earned his foster mom’s trust to have free roam of the house—and he’s proven to be a perfect gentleman. What a good boy!

We checked in with Scout’s foster mom for an update:

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“Scout is such a happy, loving dog. He hit it off with my dogs right from the start, and they love chasing squirrels in the yard together. Scout is a fan of toys and has a blast playing fetch with my grandkids when they visit. He’s full of energy during playtime, often getting the zoomies and exuding pure joy. But when it’s just us, Scout is calm, relaxed, and perfectly content to enjoy some cozy couch time.

Scout has never met a stranger and is a very friendly pup. He’ll make a great companion or family dog in a home with older kids. He may jump in excitement when he meets you, but we are working on a firm “no”, “down” and sit. He’s doing well with his commands. He knows how to be calm inside and likes to sit and watch me work during the day.

I would say Scout’s favorite thing is snuggling with his human followed by food. The closer he is to me, the happier he is. He loves to sit beside me but would sit in my lap always if I’d let him. He usually sleeps on the couch or watches for me at the front window. He’s very adaptable and just wants to be part of the mix.”

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We believe Scout would thrive in a calm yet active home. While he’s a little hesitant around loud urban noises during walks, with more exposure, his confidence will continue to grow. Scout would absolutely love having a doggy playmate in his new home but is also confident and adaptable enough to be the only dog.

adopt.worthydog.org

Breed: Terrier Mix
Age: ~ 5 years old
Weight: 22lbs
Other: Social boy good with all people - dogs and cats too!
Location: Pomfret, MD

04/01/2025

Celebrating Biscuit’s 2-year Adoptiversary

Biscuit came to us from a Cumberland County, NC shelter in 2022. He was surrendered by his owner with a terrible skin condition that had gotten out of control, and they didn’t have the resources to treat him. He was very anxious at the shelter, and it was not a great environment to give him the medical care he needed, so they reached out to our rescue for help. We quickly realized that Biscuit was a charmer, and while he was a budding senior, he was full of life and energy.

Biscuit was in our care for 10 months before Tara and Brian applied for him. They were knowledgeable, committed owners, and their prior pup had similar anxiety issues. It was a perfect match. Biscuit is now a sassy city dog living in Georgetown, which shows how well older dogs can adapt to change. Tara checked in with a two-year update:

“Although Biscuit quickly became a part of our home, he has continued to make great progress in terms of comfort and trust. He will always carry a bit of anxiety, particularly about trips to the vet, and he is incredibly smart. Most of the time, we love and appreciate this, as his ability to recognize words and emotions is uncanny. However, he is also smart enough to recognize when we're taking him to the vet, and he has employed an escalating series of resistance techniques. Fortunately, he also now trusts us to the point where we're able to trim his nails ourselves, so he's back to just an annual vet visit. He’s also great on city walks and gets along great with Lola. Car rides are still an issue for Biscuit, but we’ve noticed improvements. We plan to work on that more in 2025 with him.

We wanted to adopt a dog who loves to play and cuddle, and we couldn't have asked for a better friend than Biscuit on both counts. He loves to fetch and to play tug and keep-away with his toys. He loves to sleep on the bed at night and usually manages to worm his way in between us during the night before waking us up with kisses. For all of his complexity and anxiety, he's a smart and sweet boy who's perfect for our home!”

❤️❤️❤️

02/01/2025

Looking for a positive focus for the new year? Why not try fostering a dog in need? Twix and Solo are among the dogs coming to the DC metro area who need fosters. Open to foster-to-adopt too!

Twix is a social, goofy, fun-loving boy who enjoys the companionship of other dogs and loves to play. He’s housetrained and crate-trained and has started mastering basic commands. He rides great in the car and meets new people and other dogs well. He has decent leash skills; he may pull a bit but improves with practice. He’s still a young pup who can get into mischief if bored or left to his own devices, so he needs some structure. He would do best in an active home and would love a pup buddy to play with. He’s also a big fan of belly rubs and snuggles on the couch.

Breed: Bully/Bulldog mix
Age: ~ 1 to 1.5 years old
Weight: ~ 46 lbs
Other: Good with dogs, all humans, NO CATS

Solo has a very sweet nature and is a calm, easygoing, and adaptable dog. She’s currently living as an only dog but would do well with another calm dog. She adores human companionship and relishes the comforts of home. The moment she arrived in her current foster home, she sauntered down the hall and jumped in her foster mom’s bed, now her favorite spot and safe space. She loves snuggling under blankets and will happily curl up beside you for a cuddle. She’s housetrained, has no chewing or destructive behavior, and can be trusted at home alone. She has decent leash skills and will do best in a calm, quiet house.

Breed: Beagle mix
Age: 6 to 7 years old
Weight: 37 lbs (needs to lose a pound or two)
Other: Good with dogs, loves people, older kids/calm home

Adopt or Foster-to-adopt apply here - adopt.worthydog.org

Foster - https://worthydog.org/volunteer/foster-application/

01/01/2025

Check out this fantastic portrait of WDR alum Lainey and her new brother, Leroy, by artist Jon Clingenp*el. Jon always does such an incredible job.

Laura was one of five lucky raffle winners in November’s Portraits for Pups fundraiser. She shared two of her favorite pictures of her duo with him to capture, and he did a portrait to surprise her husband for Christmas. We think he did an incredible job.

Laura checked in with this update:

“Lainey got a brother back in June. She always had so much fun when we had play dates (which were hard to come by), so we decided to adopt Leroy. He is about 6 mos older and 5 lbs heavier than Lainey, and they are best friends.

Jon did an absolutely wonderful job capturing their spirits and happiness in his work. I can’t wait to give the picture to my husband for Christmas. He’s going to love it.
Thank you for all the wonderful work that Worthy Dog Rescue does the help these wonderful dogs. Our lives would not be complete without our pups.”

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We so appreciate Jon and the other four artists who donated their time and talent to help us raise money to save more pups in need.

To see more of Jon’s incredible work and get your own pup portrait, check him out on IG

https://www.instagram.com/jonathanryanart/

Happy New Year!!!

Jon Clingenp*el

31/12/2024

THANK YOU!!!!

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to thank you for your continued support. We are fortunate to have an incredible community of volunteers, adopters, and donors committed to our mission to give neglected and forgotten dogs a better life. This year, our team rescued, rehabilitated, and found loving homes for over 100 dogs. We also provided $14,000 in critical vet care to deserving dog owners of limited means through our Community Vet Care Fund, our largest annual contribution since the fund’s creation.

The Community Vet Care Fund, a testament to the impact of your support, was established in 2018 to provide urgent medical care and support local spay/neuter clinics in the underprivileged areas of the Carolinas we serve. We spayed and neutered over 60 dogs this year, a small but significant step in addressing the issue of animal overpopulation in the South. While rescues and shelters are doing their best, the scale of this problem remains overwhelming.

At Worthy Dog, we believe in a comprehensive approach to animal welfare. We understand that every dog we can keep in its home, make healthy, or prevent from having puppies is another life saved. This philosophy guides us as we provide help wherever we see a need and have the resources to act.

As you consider your end-of-year donations, please keep small but effective nonprofits like Worthy Dog Rescue and the pups you can help us save in mind. Your contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of these dogs.

We are an all-volunteer organization, so every dollar you donate will go directly to serving worthy dogs.

Giving is easy via:

Venmo -
Paypal - [email protected]
Website - https://worthydog.org/donate

30/12/2024

Back in March, we posted a story about the life of a chained dog. Oliver and another dog, likely his sister, were tied out in the pouring rain for weeks. They were confined and isolated and lived miserable existences. Concerned neighbors contacted the police and animal control numerous times, but no action was taken to help these dogs, and there were no consequences for their owner’s cruel treatment.

The dogs started escaping from their tethers and were even taken in by animal control, but their owner reclaimed them. Sadly, the female ended up pregnant and had to deliver her pups outside while tethered, and neither she nor her puppies were given any medical care. We don’t know how many puppies she had, but two remained as of last week.

The owner of these four dogs recently abandoned them and left them for her brother to deal with. The brother didn’t want the dogs and offered them a neighbor who contacted our rescue for help. We were all set to pick up the female with her puppies last week but discovered the brother had already given the female adult and her female puppy away - unspayed and unprotected. We don’t even want to think about what will happen to them but we offered our assistance if they are returned.

Thankfully, the brother still had Oliver, so we took him into our care yesterday and a partner rescue took the remaining puppy. Oliver was living in a mud-filled pen and was not in great shape. He is underweight, has pressure sores from being penned on hard surfaces, raw skin from lying in his urine, and lick granuloma on his front paws from boredom. He’s staying with our friends at Bowzee Wowzee to decompress and will be fully vetted and neutered later this week. His journey to a new life has now begun…

These stories are common and always tragic. Worthy Dog’s mission is to save outdoor dogs like Oliver who don’t have a voice. As you consider your end-of-the-year donations, please keep Worthy Dog and all the future pups we can save in mind.

Giving is easy via:

✔️Venmo -
✔️Paypal - [email protected]
✔️Website - https://worthydog.org/donate

Thank you!