Happy Tails and Ever Afters
Every good love story deserves to be told... and we wanna hear yours!
If you rescued your best friend or they rescued you... send your story and photos to us and we'll share your story with other rescuers.
If you rescued your best friend or they rescued you... send your story and photos to us and we'll share your story with other rescuers.
From Lost Soul to Missing Piece...
"My girlfriend and I adopted ten month old Shea from Bridges to Safety Animal Rescue. We always wanted a dog and we finally found our missing piece. She is like our little child. Coming home to her each day is something we both look forward to because she greets us with tons of kisses and is so excited to see us. She loves to go on long walks, is friendly with other dogs, and is very social and outgoing with people and children. In such a short period of time, she has grown very attached to us and has formed an even stronger bond with us. She has adjusted well to her new home and she loves us just as much as we love her. Shea is very spoiled and has many toys which she tears apart. We're constantly buying her new toys because she is very playful and energetic, but we don’t mind. She is the perfect dog for us and we couldn’t be happier. Thanks to Bridges to Safety Animal Rescue for choosing us as Shea's forever parents. She brings us joy and happiness and we can’t wait to watch her grow with us." -Irving & Cassie
Halloween Treat
"We rescued Sammy on Halloween weekend 2012. When I read his story and talked to his foster mom, Liz, I knew that Sammy would be a perfect fit in our home! We have two other dogs - a German Shepherd and a Corgi - but Sammy fit right into our little family! He's been with us over five months now - and it's as if he has always been here! He's the most loving dog -and has never met a stranger! The other two pups adore him - and he adores them! Thank you to Bridges to Safety for rescuing him from a certain death... and thank you to Liz for saving him and taking him into her home for fostering! Oh yea, he also loves 'his' couch and 'his' bed (which is really OUR bed, but he lets us sleep there at night). What an angel ... Thank you for all that you do!"
Riley Rossi
Rossi Family ~ "Adding Riley to our life has added joy and laughter, lots of laughter to our home His puppy energy is not always easy to manage, but is well worth it as he gives us back lots of unconditional love. We are glad Bridges rescued him and thankful to give him a forever home!"
Heartache to Pure Love
"My husband and I came across our Zoebella unexpectedly during an outing to PETCO. At the time, we were out shopping for cat food for our 18 year old Siamese cat Shamrock, but we were also mourning the loss of the love of our life, our 1 1/2 year old dog Peyton. Peyton was our first "baby" together, and we adopted her at a time when we didn't think having a real baby would be possible. After her June adoption, we found out in September that we were pregnant with our first child. The weeks turned into months, and we learned that we would be bringing a beautiful baby girl into the world to grow up with Peyton. As my stomach grew bigger, my Peyton grew more attached to it and my coworkers and I often laughed at my monthly "belly pictures" that Peyton never missed out on. We had our baby in May, and everything seemed to be perfect. Peyton loved our daughter Dani and would do anything for her. I joked that she was my babysitter...any time I left my daughter napping in her pack n play, Peyton stood guard. Life and our family couldn't be any better.
On the night of October 7th, my daughter and I ran out to Walmart, while Peyton and my husband were home. As I was busy loading up the baby, the stroller, and the bags into my car, my husband managed to call me 3 times in 5 minutes. Once we were all settled into my truck, I called him back thinking he wanted me to pick something else up. As it turns out, the call would forever change our family dynamic. Our Peyton was dead. I didn't quite understand the phone call through his screaming and crying, and I couldn't comprehend how my beautiful 1 1/2 year old dog passed away. I wasn't gone long. How did this happen? As I sat in the Walmart parking lot sobbing hysterically with my newborn daughter in her car seat in the back, I finally managed to get out of him that our dog was run over by a speeding car in front of our home, and passed away on impact while my husband and a passing jogger witnessed the whole thing. It happened very quickly, and there was no chance of her getting out of the car's way. He was driving too fast. He came out of nowhere and our furbaby was gone just like that.
To make a long story short, we sobbed nonstop for days. It feels like we've lost a child. I told my husband that I was done having any more dogs. The pain was tremendous for both of us, and I quickly realized that while I had the baby to keep me busy through my broken heart, my husband lost the friend that followed him everywhere around the house. I was still against a new dog despite this, and if I did change my mind, it wouldn't been any time soon. On the following Sunday, during our visit to PETCO, it just so happened that there was an adoption event taking place. As we were walking by, we came across a puppy named Tiger. The minute we saw her kind eyes, something changed in me. I saw a puppy that really needed a home, and kind eyes that reminded me of my Peyton. Maybe this was a sign. I looked at my husband, looking at this puppy with pure love. I knew he saw what I saw in this puppy's eyes. I decided to ask the girl walking her some questions (still not entirely convinced), while I stared at my husband, now on his knees, getting licked to pieces by this puppy. It didn't take long for this sweetheart to win me over (minutes in fact LOL). We filled out the papers, and the rest was history.
We decided to name her Zoebella (beautiful life) in loving memory of Peyton, who had given us a beautiful life in her 1 1/2 short years on this earth. We were now able to save this puppy that needed us, and give her all of the love and happiness that she deserves. She has helped us heal in so many ways. Our picture says a lot about how well she fits into our lives, and we love her endlessly and look forward to watching her and my daughter grow together and remain the best of friends."
On the night of October 7th, my daughter and I ran out to Walmart, while Peyton and my husband were home. As I was busy loading up the baby, the stroller, and the bags into my car, my husband managed to call me 3 times in 5 minutes. Once we were all settled into my truck, I called him back thinking he wanted me to pick something else up. As it turns out, the call would forever change our family dynamic. Our Peyton was dead. I didn't quite understand the phone call through his screaming and crying, and I couldn't comprehend how my beautiful 1 1/2 year old dog passed away. I wasn't gone long. How did this happen? As I sat in the Walmart parking lot sobbing hysterically with my newborn daughter in her car seat in the back, I finally managed to get out of him that our dog was run over by a speeding car in front of our home, and passed away on impact while my husband and a passing jogger witnessed the whole thing. It happened very quickly, and there was no chance of her getting out of the car's way. He was driving too fast. He came out of nowhere and our furbaby was gone just like that.
To make a long story short, we sobbed nonstop for days. It feels like we've lost a child. I told my husband that I was done having any more dogs. The pain was tremendous for both of us, and I quickly realized that while I had the baby to keep me busy through my broken heart, my husband lost the friend that followed him everywhere around the house. I was still against a new dog despite this, and if I did change my mind, it wouldn't been any time soon. On the following Sunday, during our visit to PETCO, it just so happened that there was an adoption event taking place. As we were walking by, we came across a puppy named Tiger. The minute we saw her kind eyes, something changed in me. I saw a puppy that really needed a home, and kind eyes that reminded me of my Peyton. Maybe this was a sign. I looked at my husband, looking at this puppy with pure love. I knew he saw what I saw in this puppy's eyes. I decided to ask the girl walking her some questions (still not entirely convinced), while I stared at my husband, now on his knees, getting licked to pieces by this puppy. It didn't take long for this sweetheart to win me over (minutes in fact LOL). We filled out the papers, and the rest was history.
We decided to name her Zoebella (beautiful life) in loving memory of Peyton, who had given us a beautiful life in her 1 1/2 short years on this earth. We were now able to save this puppy that needed us, and give her all of the love and happiness that she deserves. She has helped us heal in so many ways. Our picture says a lot about how well she fits into our lives, and we love her endlessly and look forward to watching her and my daughter grow together and remain the best of friends."
That's Amore!
"Back at the end of October, our family suddenly lost our boxer pup at the young age of just 5 1/2. We were devastated. A million thoughts rushed through my mind about whether or not I wanted another dog. A part of me could not imagine loving another pup as much as I loved our boxer but immediately, I could not take the emptiness of the home without a puppy to love. Our pets are members of our family and now our family felt incomplete. I reached out to Bridges to safety since my sister had a great experience adopting from them and asked Danielle if she knew of any pups coming in. They happened to have hound mixes coming in in just a couple of weeks. I was a little nervous (and guilty) about getting another dog so soon....did I grieve enough? I saw the pictures though and managed to convince my husband and we were set. I couldn't wait. I also realized that with or without a new pup, I'd still be grieving my boxer for a long time, probably forever. As soon as we met the puppies to pick the right one, our pup picked us. He wrapped his paws around my husband's neck when he picked him up! No question about it that he was the right one for us. We named him Santino, as we are an Italian family. He's such a great pup and really took to us right away. He loves kisses and cuddles which is perfect because so do all of us. He loves to play with my two little girls and I love the greetings I get every morning when I get up and when I get home from work. He is also great company for my husband since he is always up late. Santino just cuddles up next to him on the couch and peacefully snoozes. Thank you Bridges to Safety for connecting us with the perfect new member of our family!"
Everybody Loves a Jersey Girl
"Hello!
I am sending an update for my parents of Lexi (formerly Olive). My parents adopted her back in August when they saw her at an event at Petco in Toms River. They absolutely adore her. It was definitely love at first sight, and they are the perfect match. She is just the absolute sweetest girl. She loves to snuggle, play with her toys, and run around in her huge backyard. She's got the life here and we are so happy to have been able to give her the home she deserves. Thanks for all you do!! Here's a picture from Christmas."
- Mike, Patti, & Lexi
I am sending an update for my parents of Lexi (formerly Olive). My parents adopted her back in August when they saw her at an event at Petco in Toms River. They absolutely adore her. It was definitely love at first sight, and they are the perfect match. She is just the absolute sweetest girl. She loves to snuggle, play with her toys, and run around in her huge backyard. She's got the life here and we are so happy to have been able to give her the home she deserves. Thanks for all you do!! Here's a picture from Christmas."
- Mike, Patti, & Lexi
Reese and Rolo Together Again
Kratos (formerly Reese) and Charlie (formerly Rolo) are two of Snickers puppies that made their way to NJ in March 2014. They were recently reunited, thanks to their wonderful parents, for a play date on 24 October 2015. The parents said they were like old buddies...a testament to wonderful families.
Mason... from starving pound puppy to 85 pound hunk 'o love! His smile says it all... A D O P T!