Latest news with #BrotherWolf
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Chained Dog's World Was a 6-Foot Circle—Then Someone Showed Her Love
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A starved dog from North Carolina has found a new lease on life after being rescued from severe neglect. In a Facebook post shared on Tuesday, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue shared the story of Alicia, a 1-year-old pup who was found chained outside and severely underweight by a local shelter, and then surrendered to them after testing positive for heartworm. "Many rural shelters simply don't have the resources for this kind of care, so they turn to us for help," Rebeka García, a spokesperson for Brother Wolf, told Newsweek. The post goes on to describe the heartbreaking conditions in which she was found, sad and forgotten, tied up with a rusted chain in a six-foot circle with nothing but an empty bowl in front of her. "We welcomed Alicia with open arms, and despite all she had endured, she amazed us with her gentle, affectionate nature. We started her on a healthy feeding plan to help her gain weight and placed her in a loving foster home, where she experienced soft blankets and toys for the first time," Garcia continued. From left, Alicia can be seen before and after being rescued from severe neglect and adopted. From left, Alicia can be seen before and after being rescued from severe neglect and adopted. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Once Alicia was brought back to health, she was adopted into a loving home where she's now completely pampered and treated like a princess. "These days, she enjoys sunbathing, cozy blankets, and all the love she deserves," Garcia added. While Alicia got her happy ending, many shelter dogs are not as lucky as her. Of the almost 3 million dogs that entered U.S. shelters in 2024, only about 2 million were adopted, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Approximately 554,000 were returned to their owners, and of the remaining pups who weren't lucky enough to get a new home, around 334,000 were euthanized, and 524,000 were transferred to other organizations. Over 30 states impose "holding periods" on shelters, a minimum amount of time required to hold a pet before re-homing or euthanizing them, to allow the pet's owners, if any, enough time to contact the shelter and reclaim their animal, according to the Animal Legal and Historical Center. Often this period lasts between five and seven days, however, it can be as short as 48 to 72 hours in some cases. The post received over 700 interactions on Facebook, and internet users can't cope with her incredibly glow up since she's in her new home. One user, Greenwich Free Press, said: "Love this! Dogs on chains should be illegal in every state." Gina Stawicki wrote: "Looks like a young pup who has easily forgiven and just wants some love. Happy that she has found her forever home now." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Chained dog lived in a ‘six-foot circle.' Then ‘forgotten' pup got second chance
A chained dog lived in a 'six-foot circle' — then the 'forgotten' pup got a second chance. After Alicia received much-needed medical care, she was adopted into a 'loving' home, a North Carolina animal shelter worker told McClatchy News in a phone interview. 'We're all so happy for her,' said Rebeka Garcia, a spokesperson for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. 'From the moment she came in, she really put herself in our hearts. Even though she's been through everything that she's been through, every time she sees a new person: best friend, immediately. She'll run up and press her whole body against you for pets and then run off with a wagging tail to say 'hi' to the next person.' The Asheville-based rescue shared Alicia's story on social media May 19, about two months after her heartwarming adoption. Her journey at the shelter started after she experienced a rough patch. 'Her world was a six-foot circle,' the shelter wrote on Facebook. 'A rusted chain. An empty bowl. A collar that once fit snugly — now sagging from the weight of neglect. Alicia was forgotten. Alone. Day after day, night after night. A cruel existence.' An animal control team found Alicia 'extremely emaciated' before she was surrendered to a shelter in February. When she was transferred to Brother Wolf, she started heartworm treatment and a plan to gain weight, Garcia said. Despite Alicia's past, the roughly 1-year-old pup showed off her sweet and friendly personality. 'She looked at us with soft, grateful eyes,' the rescue wrote. 'And she leaned in — gently — asking for a hug. That's when we learned Alicia doesn't just want love. She wants to be held like a baby. She freely gives kisses like she's making up for all the ones she never got.' Eventually, Alicia's online profile caught the eye of a couple. They adopted her the same day she became available in late March, leaving shelter workers 'thrilled,' according to Garcia. After the adoption, Garcia said the family has reported their pup is a 'lover and a goofball' who's having a smooth adjustment to her new home.
Miami Herald
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Dog owner had ‘dying wish' for beloved pups. Heartwarming adoption made it real
A dog owner had a 'dying wish' for his beloved pups — then an emotional adoption made his dream a reality. 'Please keep them together. Don't let them lose each other,' the owner said, according to a North Carolina animal shelter's April 30 Facebook post. After sharing the man's touching plea on social media, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue revealed one week later that his two dogs were both adopted into a new home. 'We are over the moon Dutch and Pepper were adopted together,' Brooke Fornea, a spokesperson for the Asheville shelter, told McClatchy News in a May 9 email. 'It's always our hope that bonded animals stay side by side, and seeing them head off to their next chapter as a duo was incredibly heartwarming for everyone involved.' Dutch and Pepper are sticking together after arriving at Brother Wolf in February. The shelter had required that they be adopted into the same home after losing their owner, McClatchy News reported. 'I think he, more than anybody, knew how much they relied on each other,' Fornea said in a May 1 phone interview. 'And he knew it was going to be really hard on them to lose him. They're really loved and social dogs, so you can tell that they spent a lot of time around people that were really kind to them.' As they waited for a second chance, the canine best friends were known for being 'playful, affectionate, and always up for a snuggle.' They're small, older dogs who tend to stick around each other, according to Fornea and social media posts. Then on May 7, the shelter in a Facebook post shared the good news that the two pups wouldn't be separated. They were matched with the 'kindest mom' and are settling into her home. 'We've already heard from their new mom, and the update couldn't be sweeter — Dutch and Pepper are settling in beautifully, soaking up all the love, snuggling on the bed, and making themselves right at home,' Fornea wrote.
