Rescue Dogs' Before And After Photos Prove Love Is All You Need

These Rescue Dogs' Before And After Photos Prove Love Is All You Need
|

A little love can sure go a long way.

Take these 14 rescue dogs that were abused, neglected and even left for dead. They could've easily lost their fights, but thanks to some caring rescuers and loving homes, these pups went from down and out to on top of the world.

Chicago's Trio Animal Foundation (TAF) helps shelters, rescue groups and individuals pay the medical bills of homeless animals. The group is named after Trio, a little pup who, after being used as a bait dog, had her leg bitten off when she was just 4 weeks old. Although she was given a 10 percent chance to live, Trio beat the odds and made a miraculous recovery.

Now, TAF President Sue Naiden is giving more dogs another chance:

Many of the animals in TAF's program have never had a good day [their] whole life. They come in scared, confused, defeated and look as if they are resigned to a life of misery. When they are finally bathed, vetted and given the respect and love that they have always deserved, a light re-kindles in their eyes and their spirit comes alive. A dog that is given a second chance in like none other... after all that they have been through, their will to survive and ability to love and trust, again, should be an inspiration to us all.

She shared just a few of the dogs' amazing stories with The Huffington Post.

Dozer

Dozer was shot. He lived under a porch for days before he got medical help. His wound became severely infected, and he had heartworm. After two months of hospitalization and several surgeries, Dozer recovered and was adopted by one of the veterinarian technicians who cared for him. He is now living a wonderful life.

Albert

Albert is a sweet senior who was surrendered by his owner. After recovering from a skin infection, allergies and heartworm, he was adopted, thanks to help from the Young at Heart Pet Rescue.

Trinity

Trinity was found living outside by a heap of trash. A good Samaritan contacted the TAF for help. It took several weeks for her to recover from pneumonia, but she was eventually adopted by a loving family. The pup now has three collie brothers.

Frolik

Scared little Frolik knew he was given a second chance when he trotted out of an open access shelter with TAF. After some medical attention and love, he was adopted, and his second chance was realized.

Bickell

Bickell was found at a shelter with 100 bite wounds and a torn lip. He had eaten the bristles of a broom and required surgery. He made a recovery after some TLC.

Little G

Little G was turned over to a shelter after an accident. He had to have one of his front legs amputated. Naiden fostered the adorable little Chihuahua after his surgery, and he has since been used to help other dogs in the program heal from their wounds.

Buttercup

Six years after being rescued from a shelter, Buttercup was left at a kill shelter to die. TAF rescued her, treated her infection and put her up for adoption. She was adopted by a family with two children who have autism. "She loves them and has provided them with comfort and stability in return for a great home," Naiden said.

Rosie

TAF found Rosie, a senior dog, sickly and alone at a shelter. After a rough road through pneumonia and advanced heartworm, she made a full recovery and was adopted by a loving new family.

Whimsy

Whimsy was found cowered in the corner of a cage at a local animal shelter. After being treated for a respiratory infection and spayed, the pup was taken in by a couple who had fallen love with her sweet face.

Bravo

Bravo was found lying in a cage at an open-access shelter. "He was in pain and had given up on life," Naiden described. He was hours from being euthanized. TAF rescued him, only to discover he had infections, along with missing and cracked teeth. "Even though we knew it was a long shot, we wanted to give Bravo every chance possible to make it," Naiden wrote. Luckily, he made a recovery and was adopted.

Abigail

Abigail, a sickly pitbull pup, was rescued from a shelter in memory of Trio, who passed away in November 2011. She recovered from illnesses and was adopted by a forever family who named her Hazel. "[I]t is absolutely wonderful to see her with the beautiful family that loves her unconditionally," Naiden said.

Livy

Livy was a breeding dog, kept outside and used only to make her owner money. After being taken to a shelter, she beat death when TAF rescued her the day before she was euthanized. Now, she has a loving new mom whom she can shower with kisses.

Red

Red was found "cowering" and "shaking uncontrollably" in a shelter cage. He was obese and unable to stand or sit comfortably. After weeks of help from the TAF, Red met the perfect new mom and got his happily ever after.

Hippo

Hippo was found at an open access shelter when she was just 12 weeks old. Her ears had been cut off, and she had a secondary skin infection, an upper respiratory infection and a fungal infection. But after months of antibiotics, medicated dips, fungal and pain medications, Hippo has made a full recovery and will be going to her forever home this week.

Check out the Trio Animal Foundation for more information. And visit Project Rescue Chicago, the group that made it possible for many of the dogs to be pulled from open access shelters.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Animals Who Need Hugs
(01 of19)
Open Image Modal
In this Feb. 9, 2012 photo, Meghan Caffery, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialist, hugs Izzy, an agricultural detector beagle whose nose is highly sensitive to food odors, at John F. Kennedy Airport's Terminal 4 in New York.(AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
(02 of19)
Open Image Modal
A woman hugs her dog during a memorial outside the Aurora Municipal Center July 22, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado.(Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images)
(03 of19)
Open Image Modal
A horse embraces a young girl in a picturesque hug.(Image via Imgur)
(04 of19)
Open Image Modal
17-year-old evacuee Shoko Igarashi, hugs her dog who will have to be looked after by friends while she goes into a shelter in Koriyama in Fukushima prefecture, 60km west of Fukushima nuclear power plant on March 23, 2011.(Photo credit GO TAKAYAMA/AFP/Getty Images)
(05 of19)
Open Image Modal
"Well i was takin a nice little stroll through the park when i came across a sloth trying to cross the road! When i picked him up he spread his arms out wide to give me a hug! from then on i knew that we would be the best of buddies for ever and ever... all the days of my life!!"- Lucy in Phoenix, Arizona(Shared by The Humane Society of the U.S.)(Image via Flickr)
(06 of19)
Open Image Modal
A woman cuddles her rabbit after an obstacle course of the first European rabbit hopping championships, which Lada Sipova-Krecova of Czech Republic won, on October 30, 2011 in Wollerau, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
(07 of19)
Open Image Modal
Douglas, who was rescued by Animal Place, loves getting hugs.(Image via Flickr)
(08 of19)
Open Image Modal
A dog puts a paw around his human friend in an adorable embrace. (Image via Flickr)
(09 of19)
Open Image Modal
Vincent the cat visits his owner, who broke her hip, in the hospital.(Image via Imgur)
(10 of19)
Open Image Modal
Spain's Queen Sofia hugs a 7-month-old panda cub during her visit to Madrid's Zoo on March 29, 2011 in Madrid. (Photo credit JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
(11 of19)
Open Image Modal
A young girl hugs her new puppy who appears content in the warm embrace.(Image via Imgur)
(12 of19)
Open Image Modal
A 26-year-old chimpanzee named Pipo embraces veterinarian Eduardo Sacasa at the National Zoo, about 20 kms south of in Managua, on April 07, 2011.(Photo credit ELMER MARTINEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
(13 of19)
Open Image Modal
Moose, a Leonberger, and Dr. Joe embrace during the second annual 'Meet the Breeds' showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
(14 of19)
Open Image Modal
A nurse hugs Pisco, a 13-year-old therapy llama, during his visit to the Hospice of Saint John on September 1, 2009 in Lakewood, Colorado. The llama visits the hospice each month as part of an animal therapy program designed to increase happiness, decrease loneliness and calm terminally ill patients during the last stage of life.(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
(15 of19)
Open Image Modal
Eli the British Bulldog gets a cuddle from her owner Sue Leicity on Day one of Crufts, a four day dog competition, at the Birmingham NEC Arena on March 8, 2012 in Birmingham, England.(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
(16 of19)
Open Image Modal
A woman hugs one of her monkeys at her house in Havana on October 20, 2010. (Photo credit STR/AFP/Getty Images)
(17 of19)
Open Image Modal
Lucky the kangaroo just wants some love.(Image via Flickr)
(18 of19)
Open Image Modal
A Romanian woman embraces her dog during an animal rights protest in the front of the Romanian Parliament building in Bucharest on April 11, 2011.(Photo credit DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images)
(19 of19)
Open Image Modal
An elephant trainer and two elephants share a group hug at Auckland Zoo in New Zealand.(Image via Flickr)