Dog Stories

Emma Odekirk sitting on the ground with Valley the dog and a small brown puppy

Time, training, and love transform nervous dog

When Valley arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, she was anxious about most everything. Now, she’s teaching puppies how to be confident dogs.
She's transformed
Feature
Sego the dog sitting on a bench between Sandy and Richard Garrett

Helping a skittish dog learn to trust

Like some people, some dogs just need a bit more time than others to build trust. And that’s just what Sego found when he met Richard and Sandy Garrett.
Now he's blossoming in his new home
Feature
Doug the dog wearing his sunglasses

Faces of No-Kill: Bespectacled pup wins over family

Doug’s future is so bright he’s gotta wear shades.
His sunglasses serve both fashion and function
Video
Pocket the dog in a yard with a toy ball

Busting myths about fostering dogs

If you’re on the fence about fostering, let us dispel some of the misperceptions.
Help get dogs into homes
Best Friends Magazine
Kona the dog wearing a collar with mouth open in a smile

Calming care for a pup with special needs

When Kona arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, she spun in circles compulsively. Now, zoomies are the only spinning she’s doing in her new home.
Now she's back home
Feature
David Herrin and his service dog, Preciosa who is attempting to lick his face

From shelter pup to service dog

After getting a second chance, Preciosa would change one man’s life forever.
Now they're a team
Feature
Te Fiti the mama dog lying down nursing her puppies

Mom, puppies rescued after tornadoes touch down

Te Fiti overcame her own fears to keep her four pups healthy and safe.
Now she's found love
Video
People petting a large white dog

Why people love dogs — and they love us right back

Canine cognition expert Brian Hare, who’s featured in Netflix’s Inside the Mind of a Dog, explains just how unique our relationship with dogs is.
How dogs became ‘human’s best friend’
Feature
Julie Castle with her dog Sunny

Celebrating our best friends on International Dog Day

Let’s be as good a friend to dogs as they have been to us
Let's do something for them
Julie Castle Blog
Kody the dog in her wheelchair next to Ranko Fukuda

Pup wheels her way right into adopter’s heart

Kody didn’t let an injury that left her hind end paralyzed slow her roll or keep her from finding love. Now she’s zooming around in a home of her own.
Special home for special-needs dog
Feature
Jessie the dog wearing an Adopt Me vest, in the back of a vehicle with Pam

Faces of No-Kill: Dog feels at home on the range

Jessie went from a heartworm patient to a Las Vegas showgirl after a chance meeting with out-of-town guests.
Now her new life is beginning
Video
J.J. McMahon and Whitey the dog in front of a metal sculpture of a dog at the Roadhouse

Adventurous dog helps heal adopter’s broken heart

When J.J. McMahon was looking for a furry friend and adventure buddy, he adopted Whitey from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. He found so much more.
Now a star is born
Feature
Slim the dog running with a rope toy in his mouth

Flyball helps dog go from shy to super-fly

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, this once-shy dog learned new skills to become the fun-loving, confident pup he was always meant to be.
Harnessing the power of play
Feature
Lorie Comer holding and kissing a puppy

Meet ‘the puppy lady’

Lorie Comer has fostered 33 dogs and puppies in a matter of months, with no signs of slowing down.
Learn more about her
Feature
Brook the dog wearing a collar and tag

Faces of No-Kill: Pup steals his way into hearts and home

Call 911: Someone stole another heart — a furry, canine someone who didn’t let a serious medical condition get in the way of charming everyone he met.
Routine leads to his best life
Feature