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Teddy was rescued from a puppy mill when he was 5-years-old. He was given to a rescue shelter where I volunteered. He was so terrified of people that he wouldn't let anyone near him.

DOG. PHOTO: PIXABAY/Сергей Корчанов

The shelter was doing an adoption event just a few days after they received Teddy, and they decided to take him. I was volunteering at the event, and I tried to get him out of the cage to go potty. He couldn't figure out how to get out of the cage or walk on a leash. I worked with him and got him to a point where he could do both.

He had only one person interested in him and it was a pregnant woman with a 3-year-old. I knew that would not be a good situation for him, so she was told no. We ended up taking him back to the shelter, and from that moment on whenever I would go there he would follow me around barking. He would whine and cry when I left, and after three days I was not able to leave him. He picked me to be his mom and I gladly accepted.

It was not an easy transition for him, as he had never been in a house, but with a lot of work, time, and love he eventually settled in. He had an untreated thyroid condition and had to have most of his teeth pulled. He had to wear undies as he never got over his marking instinct but he didn't mind.

PHOTO: LORI S. FROM MURRAY, UT

In July 2016 when he was 11, he was diagnosed with chronic heart failure and was given about a week to live. He was a fighter and made it until June 8, 2018, when his heart gave out. I had never had a puppy mill dog but I would gladly have another one. They are a lot of work but Teddy gave so much unconditional love - I think because he was happy to have been rescued. I miss him so much and am grateful he was mine!

Story submitted by Lori S. from Murray, Utah.

Teddy’s story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!