One of the 49 rescued Vicktory Dogs, Handsome Dan (and many of the others) has captured the hearts of animal lovers around the globe. Despite horrific circumstances, the Vicktory Dogs showed the world their amazing ability to endure and overcome – and most of all, forgive. Handsome Dan inspired his new family to create Handsome Dan's Rescue - an organization aimed at helping dogs that are most often overlooked at local shelters. With P.L.A.Y.'s mission to help animals in need, we were more than happy to provide their rescue with a Chill Pad grant from our Warm Bellies Initiative.
Because of the grant, Handsome Dan's rescue has been able to provide cozy pet beds for the foster dogs in their program, to help keep them comfy as they wait for their forever homes. They've also been able to give a small number of the Chill Pads to shelter dogs who have had a longer-than-normal stay at local shelters. One of their recent rescues is currently waiting for her forever family. Meet Theresa.
Theresa, an owner surrender, is a smart and loving four year old American Pit Bull Terrier. While her past is unknown, it was clear that shelter life was too much for Theresa and she started to withdraw and shut down. That’s what Handsome Dan’s Rescue stepped in.
Knowing that there was more to this pretty girl, they placed her in a foster home giving her the opportunity to really relax and show her true personality. "If I had not seen her at the shelter myself I would have never believed this beautiful girl was anything but happy. That tail that was tucked before now wags non-stop. She has so much love to share!" (Stephanie, Foster Mom)
Despite being a little shy at first, Theresa is very affectionate; she wakes up in the morning ready to shower her foster family with kisses. A calm girl, Theresa loves other dogs and is currently living with a male lab. He helps her overcome her fears when encountering new things, so a home with another dog would be great, but she isn’t picky - she just wants a family to love and snuggle. She is well trained, very smart and eager to please. For more information, visit her Petfinder page.
About Handsome Dan's Rescue:
Heather Gutshall, CPDT-KA, and Mark Stoutzenberger had been rescuing, training, and placing homeless dogs for many years, and founded Handsome Dan’s Rescue to help dogs who are most often overlooked at local animal shelters. (Handsome Dan is one of the 22 dogs who came to Best Friends Animal Society after the Michael Vick arrest.) HDR advocates the rescue of pit bull type dogs previously considered “unadoptable” from local shelters, and their placement through a network of volunteer foster homes. Many dogs have been rescued from severe abuse and neglect, including dog fighting. Because the dogs in the program often require extra care, including medical, training and sometimes rehabilitation, HDR is small by design. To learn more about Handsome Dan's rescue, visit their website and Facebook Page.
Through our Warm Bellies Intiative with the Petfinder Foundation, we've been able to help give hundreds of less fortunate pets, warmer bellies. To learn more about the program, visit www.PetPlay.com/warm-bellies/
