Top 10 happy pet stories
We share a lot of stories about the animals at Best Friends (as well as those with our partners) because each pet is special and has a unique story. Out of the hundreds of stories shared on our website and on social media in the past year, we’ve collected those that were the most popular, most shared and most liked.
If you missed these stories about dogs (and one cat) the first time around, you can catch them now. And if you liked them the first time, you can relive the happiness all over again.
Top 10 most popular stories from the past year
1. A dog named Boy
A Texas family’s tragic year turns hopeful knowing that their dog is safe after Hurricane Harvey.
Boy is more than a pet to his family. When Hurricane Harvey separated the sweet brown-and-white pit bull terrier from the Bonillas, it was devastating on a deeper level than just missing their dog. Read the story
2. Priceless Picasso
Best Friends Network partner spotlight: Why everyone is falling in love with two dogs saved by Luvable Dog Rescue.
Not long ago, Picasso and Pablo were on a shelter's kill list. The two dogs are brothers and one has a smile like no other. But a network partner organization took them in and changed their lives forever. Read the story
3. Wags to riches
Patrick Stewart fosters a pit bull for Wags and Walks, and it’s utterly adorable.
Actor Patrick Stewart has a new leading lady and the couple’s love story is burning up the screen. Read the story
4. Dog and her puppies safe after Hurricane Harvey
A mother and her litter of puppies find shelter.
Received with warm, loving arms, this wonderful mama is doing a great job caring for her babies, and finally is getting some much-needed rest. Read the story
5. Dog reunited with family after hurricane
Marmaduke got out of his yard just as the flooding hit.
Diana Brown and her family have lost a lot in the past two weeks — but not their goofy, gangly brindle pup. Read the story
6. Hurricane Harvey brings together heroes for pets
Men and women in uniform volunteer to help pets after disaster.
“What’s been fantastic about the men and women in uniform is that they’re ready and willing to do whatever is needed. And they’re often coming off long shifts at difficult jobs, but they’re happy to go an hour longer for the animals.” Read the story
7. Senior German shepherd receives the gift of a new home
After ending up in a Los Angeles shelter, Sienna faces fears and gets a great new family.
From frightened and fearful to safe and secure in a forever home, senior dog Sienna overcame her fears and landed the perfect family, with help from her caregivers at Best Friends in Los Angeles. Read the story
8. Homer’s odyssey
One of the Sanctuary’s longest residing cats finally gets a home.
After nearly two decades of waiting, a cat at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary has finally found a home. Read the story
9. Love letter to a dog
She was once unwanted and then faced challenges finding the right home. But now the dog named Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln is loved beyond belief.
Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln’s adoption story is the kind of pure happiness that makes you want to keep striving to Save Them All. This sweet dog, adopted from Best Friends in New York, is loved beyond belief. Read the story
10. Two older dogs, one perfect home
Adopting two senior shih tzus is the best decision these New Yorkers have ever made.
“We are absolutely not getting a dog today,” said David Johnston to Danny Costa.
David must have really meant what he said, because they didn’t adopt a dog that day. They adopted two. Read the story
Keep the good news coming all year long by joining Best Friends
Photos by Erica Danger, Molly Wald, Lori Fusaro, Stacey Axelrod, Best Friends staff and courtesy of Luvable Dog Rescue, Wags and Walks, and Luke Hogan