Every morning, Honey the dog had the same routine.
She would run to the fence between her yard and her neighbor’s house, waiting patiently for the 94-year-old woman who lived next door. Without fail, the woman—Edna—would greet her with treats, gentle pets, and a few quiet moments of friendship.
This tiny abandoned dog was sick and would have died helplessly of an illness if DAR Animal Rescue hadn’t found her by chance. They were on their way to deliver a dog to foster care when they spotted her in the middle of the road in the middle of nowhere.
The little dog came over to Ermioni wagging her tail. She would let the rescuer pet her but didn’t want to be picked up. But after some gentle coaxing and food, Ermioni hesitantly picked the dog up.
She was brought to a vet and although she looked healthy she was covered with ticks. And when the vet took a closer look she saw swelling on her underbelly. It was pyometra! Had she been left on the streets and untreated she would have died of infection.
But this happy girl has a second chance thanks to being spotted completely by accident.
Inside one Fulton County courtroom, there’s a member of the court who welcomes visitors without judgment and greets them with compassion and a friendly tail wag. Meet Icee, the court dog.
Icee knows all about second chances. Before becoming a comforting presence in the courtroom, she experienced firsthand what violence can do to a life. She ended up in a shelter after being abused, neglected, and shot in the leg.
“But she went through the Canine Cellmates program, and she has a really good life now,” Judge Emily Richardson said. “She’s been abused and neglected; she has a bullet in her leg; she’s had a rough go round.”
Icee’s life began to change when she entered the Canine Cellmates program, which pairs defendents and inmates in the Fulton County Jail with rescued shelter dogs from Fulton County Animal Services. Through the program, defendants train the dogs to help them become adoptable, while also learning patience, compassion, and responsibility themselves.
Canine Cellmates
After Icee graduated from the program, she was adopted by Judge Richardson, who now brings her to the courtroom in Fulton County’s Behavioural Health Court.
Icee’s presence there has a powerful effect.
“If they can come in more relaxed, more engaged, better able to communicate with me, they’re going to be more successful in the program in the long run,” Judge Richardson said.
The idea behind Canine Cellmates is that the healing goes both ways. Susan Jacobs-Meadows, who founded the program, says dogs have a unique way of helping people rediscover empathy and connection, saying, “They see the good inside us and they love us for it, even when we can’t love ourselves.”
Judge Richardson agrees. “We all have the ability to make changes, to improve and to become the best version of ourselves and then hopefully start a new chapter in our lives,” she told Kens 5 News.
Today, Icee spends her days offering quiet comfort to people navigating the justice system. The rescue dog helps calm defendants and brings hope into a place where stress often rules.
Icee’s journey is a powerful reminder that second chances aren’t just for people — they’re for every life willing to heal, grow, and trust again.
For six long months, Matthew Osborne didn’t know if he would ever see his best friend again.
Matthew and his dog Harley were constant companions, traveling together in Matthew’s semi-truck. But this past August, their routine was shattered when Matthew was involved in a serious crash in New Brunswick, Canada. The impact was catastrophic.
Harley in Matthew’s truck before the crash. Photo: Matthew Osborne / Facebook
Matthew suffered multiple broken bones. He nearly lost a foot and required surgery to have a plate inserted in his face. Harley was thrown through the windshield. Miraculously, they both survived but in the chaos and fear, Harley ran off into the surrounding wilderness.
Matthew’s truck after the crash. Photo: Matthew Osborne / Facebook
Matthew was rushed to hospital in New Brunswick before being transferred closer to home in Nova Scotia. His recovery was grueling.
“It’s been a long road,” he told CTV News. “For the first few weeks, I couldn’t even move from the injuries in hospital. I went from that to a wheelchair, then to a walker, then to a cane.”
While Matthew focused on healing, his family and members of the New Brunswick community focused on one mission: bringing Harley home.
A Cedar Rapids homeless man’s dying last wish was to see his dog, Yurtie, one last time. It was a simple request, but one that meant the world to Kevin McClain in his final days.
People involved with the man’s last wish describe it as something they’ll never forget. Yurtie used to live with 57 year old Kelvin in his car. Unfortunately, Kevin became ill with lung cancer.
In this photo, Kevin holds Yurtie during their final reunion on May 11 at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.
Volunteers and Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control described Yurt as inconsolable when he was brought to the shelter. Kevin died a few days after this meeting, and Yurtie how lives with a new family.
Family come in all different shapes and sizes and are always there for you when you need them the most.
When Alex and her family first spotted Wilf on the streets of Cypress the lemon Beagle was thin, dirty and scabby. He was in bad shape but his tail was wagging happily after getting food and petted by them. Alex and her family broke down in tears at Wilf’s condition but Alex’s dad quickly made a decision. “My dad said to my mom, ‘Come on, go get the car.’ Let’s take him home,'” she says in the video of his rescue.
When the family got back to their vacation home, they put out cushions and blankets and the dog slept for hours. They then pampered him a shower and took him to a vet who told them Wilf had shrapnel in his ear. His owners likely tried to shoot him and he ran away.
The family wanted to bring Wilf back to the UK to find him a home but they grew to love him so much they knew they couldn’t give him away. With help from Underdog International they managed to sort out the canine passport.
Wilf’s personality began to shine and he’s very naughty and cheeky and obsessed with teddy bears.
After 12 days of searching, this pet parent had lost hope he would ever see his dog again. But then he learned about this awesome tip and how this had helped reunite many lost dogs with their families. This is what he shared on reddit.
“On day 12 of searching for my dog in a heavily wooded area, distraught and hopeless, I ran into a couple of hunters. They said they lost the occasional dog on a hunt but always got them back. What they told me has helped many dogs and families be reunited. I’ve given their advice out a few times in the last couple days, so I thought if reddit has any lost dogs out there, this could help:
The dog owner(s) should take an article of clothing that has been worn at least all day, the longer the better, so the lost dog can pick up the scent.
Bring the article of clothing to the location where the dog was last seen and leave it there. Also, if the dog has a crate & familiar toy, you can bring those too (unless location undesirable for crate). You might also want to leave a note requesting item(s) not to be moved.
Leave a bowl of water there too, as the dog probably hasn’t had access to any. Do not bring food as this could attract other animals that the dog might avoid.
Come back the next day, or check intermittently if possible. Hopefully the dog will be waiting there.
I was skeptical and doubted my dog would be able to detect an article of clothing if he didn’t hear me calling his name as loud as possible all day for 12 days. But I returned the next day and sure enough found him sitting there!
I hope this helps someone out there who’s missing a best friend. Good luck “
Please share to help more families find their missing four-legged family members. I’ve seen this work a number of times.
Meet Marcus, a 6-year-old black Labrador Retriever who was originally destined to become a guide dog. Instead, he found a very different calling — one where he can simply be himself: a calm, lazy, and treat-loving Lab.
Marcus started life as a puppy in the training program at Guide Dogs NSW in Australia. He was smart and learned quickly, but after about six months it became clear that he just wasn’t quite cut out for the demanding work of a guide dog.
Trainers described him as “a bit slow” and even “a sloth with a low drive to work.”
His mom, oncologist Dr. Lina Pugliano, agrees. “I adore him but he’s honestly, the most laziest person,” she told The Guardian Australia.
Marcus was also known for dawdling during training and has such a love of snacks that he is now jokingly described as “a food addicted con man.” So when it became clear he wasn’t guide dog material, the organization decided it was time for a career change. Marcus would become a therapy dog instead, a role that turned out to be perfect for him.
Dr. Pugliano, who founded the cancer care and rehabilitation centre Cancer Fit, was thrilled to adopt him. Marcus is now adored by her children and family, and he accompanies her to work every weekday.
His “job” at Cancer Fit involves greeting patients, wandering around the gym and exercise machines, and offering quiet companionship to people going through cancer treatment and offering encouragement.
Of course, Marcus also tries to mooch treats whenever possible.
Marcus the therapy dog aka “food addicted con man.”
That habit got a little out of hand after many patients secretly slipped him snacks, and Marcus gained a bit too much weight. These days he’s on a healthier diet, and a poster at the gym warning people to avoid eye contact or be swayed by Marcus’ skill as a “food addicted con man” who uses “puppy eyes and affection” to get what he wants. Instead, everyone is instructed to give Marcus carrot chunks, cucumber sticks, apple slices, or strawberry tops.
Fortunately, Marcus doesn’t seem to mind.
His easygoing, friendly — and yes, slightly lazy — personality makes him the perfect therapy dog.
A small dog is being credited with helping save her elderly neighbor after she heard his cries for help.
Eighty-nine-year-old Mickey McKinney stepped outside his home in Mindemoya, Ontario, on a chilly February afternoon to move his snow blower when he slipped and fell. Unable to get back up, he began to grow cold and increasingly worried. He had a helpline alert in his pocket — but in the moment of panic, he forgot all about it. Instead, he started yelling for help.
Next door, Rosa the dog heard him.
Rosa began barking at the front door, which immediately caught her owner Linda Gilchrist’s attention. No one was there — and Rosa doesn’t usually bark without reason. Sensing something was wrong, Linda put on her boots, grabbed Rosa’s leash, and stepped outside. That’s when she heard Mickey calling for help.
Linda and another neighbor tried to lift Mickey back onto his feet but weren’t able to, so they called an ambulance. Thankfully, help arrived quickly.
Mickey, who served as a police officer for more than 30 years, said it’s the first time he’s ever been “the victim.” He now calls Rosa a “lifesaver” and brought his canine protector cookies the very next day.
Linda says Rosa often watches people outside and greets familiar faces with a wagging tail, but this was different. Her actions surprised even her owner.
“I’m totally amazed and very proud of her,” Linda told CTV News.
“
