Pit Bull Leo, rescued from NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring, now brings happiness to a cancer ward and probationary center.

Despite his training as a killer, Leo is a sweetheart as he visits his friends on the ward.

“He is wonderful, and all the patients love Leo,” said Paula Reed, the facility’s oncology director. “They really love his eyes and gentleness.”

I remember crying over the poor dogs who were seized from Vick’s property with a terrible past and little hope for a future after the story broke. Hearing about their rehabilitation makes my heart feel full. Thank you to all the rescuers who gave these unfortunate souls a second chance.

Read the full story here: Beaten-down dog from Vick case has his day.

As you read through this article you might notice a Muslim tinge to it. For example, notice that the writer starts off saying that the dogs might bite or attack their handlers? Bite by accident, sure. Attack, I seriously doubt it.

And isn’t it convenient that the Iraqis are okay with Salukis because they find them useful but all other dogs are considered unclean? Now I think Salukis are gorgeous but is there anything different about them to make them religiously acceptable? I doubt it. I suspect this is just a case of religious justification and that culturally Iraqis don’t like dogs.

So what does this mean when Muslims in other parts of the world claim their religious beliefs require they not interact with dogs, as in the case of Taxis or schools with guide dog protected children? It tells me, once again, that their distaste for dogs is just that, a cultural or personal dislike, and not a real religious issue.

Thanks to John D. for barking in this article from Yahoo News.

In Iraq, a Marine’s best friend is a dog with 42 teeth
By Raviya H. Ismail, McClatchy Newspapers
Thu May 22

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Although getting bitten or attacked by their partners is an occupational hazard, Marines on the al Asad airbase northwest of Baghdad say theirs is the most coveted job in the military.

After all, they’re paired up with what Westerners— although not all Muslims— consider man’s best friend. This sprawling base’s K-9 teams, which consist of one dog and one Marine, are a mainstay in Iraq’s once restive Sunni Muslim Anbar province.

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Big barks for Shilo and big barks for Destiny’s parents who had the good sense to let their toddler live with and be protected by Shilo! So often I hear parents say that they’re afraid to let their children live with a dog for fear the kids will get hurt by the dog. Shilo proves that children are MUCH safer with dogs than without them.

Thanks to OttawaCitizen.com for this article.

Dog praised as little lost girl’s ’saviour’
Girl went looking for father, spent night in woods near Bancroft
David Gonczol, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Wednesday, May 07, 2008

When two-and-a-half-year-old Destiny King visits her aunt’s farm in Coe Hill, Ont., near Bancroft, the farm’s collie, Shilo, follows her everywhere.

So when Destiny wandered into the bush that surrounds the farm Monday evening, looking for her father, who was fixing fences, Shilo was right behind her.

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I read a lot of blogs but few of them are as raw and powerful as K9 Pride. K9 Pride is “dedicated to working dog teams protecting us worldwide.” If you aren’t moved by the emotional power of this blog then check your pulse; you may be dead.

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Thanks to The Star Online for this good news.

Dog saves woman from watery death

SEREMBAN: A dog seeing that its elderly owner was in danger of drowning, when flash floods struck Kampung Ulu Temiang yesterday, did the only thing it could do. It didn’t stop barking until help came along.

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Yay for Rex! big barks!!!

Thanks to the Telegraph for this article.

Dog comes to the rescue of baby kangaroo
01/04/2008

A dog has rescued a tiny baby kangaroo, gently carrying it to safety in its mouth after the joey’s mother was killed by car.

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Big barks for Amba and Bugsy!!!!

Thanks to Stuff.co.nz for this article.

Dogs rescue woman hurt in fall
By MATT CALMAN - The Dominion Post | Tuesday, 01 April 2008

An Upper Hutt woman survived a fall on to rocks and a night in the open before passing dogs found her.

The woman, 44, slipped and fell below the Bridge Rd reservoir, north of Upper Hutt, after heading to the dam for a walk late on Sunday.

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Big barks for Lurch!!!

Thanks to AOL News for this article.

Dog Honored for Donating Blood
AP
Posted: 2008-02-19

HOWELL, Mich. (Feb. 19) - He’s donated blood 20 times and is being honored by the Livingston County chapter of the American Red Cross.

Lurch, a 200-pound English Mastiff, is being honored by his local American Red Cross chapter in Michigan. The 2-year-old has donated blood 20 times, helping dozens of dogs.

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Thanks to Regina Frau for barking in this true tearjerker of a story from ABCActionNews.com.

Dog walks 70 miles through war zone to find his master

Last Update: 2/12

IRAQ — Their friendship began half way across the world in Iraq, when St. Petersburg native Major Brian Dennis encountered a mixed breed dog in Anbar Province. The dog had been savagely abused and his ears cut off.

The marine decided to call him Nubbs.

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What sad news! You Rainbow Bridge Dogs might want to look for Heroes Bella and Maddie to help them make the transition.

Thanks to Jon for barking in this news from Yahoo News!

Dogs give up their lives to save family
Tue Feb 12

WINONA, Minn. - Bella, a 3-year-old golden retriever/collie mix who was once rescued as an abused puppy, returned the favor to her owners by alerting them to a house fire. With help from Maddie, a 6-month-old golden retriever, Bella helped get Sue Feuling and her 9-year-old daughter, Mckenzie, out of the house last week. The dogs didn’t make it.

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