Not all dogs are lucky enough to find their forever homes on the first try. Many of those poor pups end up in shelters, and sadly, some stories aren’t expected to have a happy ending.
The same almost happened to Gregory, a 2-year-old Beagle abandoned at a kill shelter in Ohio. He was scheduled for euthanization as he was deemed unadoptable due to a heartworm infection.
Luckily for Gregory, his life would have an unexpected turn just moments before everything was supposed to end.
A Last Minute Rescue
Joe and his wife, Schenley Hutson-Kirk, have dedicated their lives to rescuing pups in need.
Located near Findlay, Ohio, they have co-founded Hound Rescue and Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit organization that helps rescue dogs from “high-risk and kill shelters” and provides a new home to “unadoptable and senior” pups.
This is how they ran into Gregory just two days before he was scheduled to be put to sleep.
Not wasting a minute, Joe rescued Gregory, aiming to help him get a new chance at life and find a new forever home.
Gregory Was Filled With Gratitude
““Gregory” is one thankful and appreciative Beagle! He KNOWS he is SAFE! He is Heartworm Positive and will be going through treatment, but he knows he is in good hands! We will get him healthy and provide him all the love he so deserves and a wonderful future!! What a Great photo of Gregory and my Husband Joe on their way home from the shelter! This is what makes it all worthwhile! This is why we Rescue!” wrote Schenley Hutson Kirk in a Facebook post.
However, what really got people’s attention was one of the most heartwarming photos we have ever seen.
It showed Gregory, finally safe, in a car during a ride home, warmly embracing Joe’s hand, looking at his rescuer with love and gratitude in his eyes.
What an adorable dog he is!
The Battle Begins
While Gregory was rescued from the shelter, his battle was far from over. This brave pup was still struggling with heartworm, a scary parasite that can be deadly.
Fortunately, Joe and Schenley helped Gregory get the treatment he needed. They took him to the vet, who gave him injection treatment.
“We are asking for Prayers and Blessings for our little guy during these next few days and during his final steps to a complete recovery!” Schenley wrote, adding:
“He has done so well through it all and his tail never stops wagging! He is surely a remarkable little Beagle!! We love you Gregory!”
Together with injection treatment, Gregory was put in a strict crate rest, which wasn’t something he was happy about. Still, he obliged without too much fuss, as if he knew everything was for his own good.
And in a matter of months, Schenley confirmed good news: Gregory was negative for heartworms!
It’s amazing what a little special care and a lot of love can do for a dog.
A New Start At Life
As Gregory’s health improved, Joe and Schenley had only one thing to do: To help him find a forever home.
While it was obvious that Gregory warmed up to the couple, especially Joe, they knew he would do better in a different place.
“We generally house and care for 25 to 30 dogs at a time. Dogs that are available for pet adoption, as well as sanctuary dogs that will live out their lives being loved and cared for by us,” Schenley and Joe Kirk said for Bored Panda.
Keeping Gregory in such an environment just didn’t feel right.
Fortunately, with his sweet temperament (not to mention adorable photos!), it didn’t take long for Gregory to be adopted into a loving family.
Today, Gregory is enjoying his new life with his humans, as well as his new Beagle siblings, Scooter and Ginger.
The couple explained: “We are often asked how many dogs we have saved. The answer that always comes to mind is, “we have saved one more.” One more dog is safe and will have all of the love and respect that they are so deserving of. One more dog will be properly fed and receive needed veterinary care. One more dog will have a loving forever home. There is no better feeling and nothing in life that is more fulfilling.”
Wise words to live by!
We wish Gregory and his new owners all the best in life.
Vanja’s passion for writing started at an early age, which is why she pursued Journalism as her college degree. She can research any topic and find all the information before you bat an eye, which is a great thing for her job but a terrible one for her husband.
Even as a young child, she fell in love with everything fluffy – but dogs have a special place in her heart due to her childhood companion, a Corgie named Archie.
Motivated by her experiences and driven by a desire to give back to her four-legged companions, she spends her free time volunteering at a local dog shelter.