Beagle Can’t Contain His Gratitude After Man Rescues Him From A Deadly Shelter
Gregory the Beagle had already run out of time at the shelter when Joe Kirk stepped in and changed everything. The rescue gave the two-year-old dog a second chance, and the photos that followed show just how much that moment meant.
Gregory had been facing euthanasia because of heartworm disease, but Joe took him home before that could happen. From there, the story turned into a simple, heartwarming reminder of how much one rescue can matter.
And Gregory’s reaction made the whole thing even sweeter.
Two year old Gregory the Beagle and Joe Kirk after leaving the shelter
Joe saved this beautiful dog two days before he was to be euthanized. Joe and his wife Schenley Hutson-Kirk are co-founders of a non-profit organization based near Findlay, Ohio, called Hound Rescue and Sanctuary. This organization helps dogs who are considered unadoptable find homes and avoid euthanasia.
Feeling the love
“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 with all the love he so deserves and a wonderful future!!” Schenley recounted on Facebook.
Safe at last
“We generally house and care for 25 to 30 dogs at a time, consisting of dogs that are available for adoption as well as sanctuary dogs that will live out their lives being loved and cared for by us,” Schenley and Joe Kirk said. “After saving Gregory from the euthanasia list at the shelter, we provided him with the veterinary care and heartworm treatment he required.”
“After successfully completing his treatment, Gregory was adopted into his forever home. He now has a wonderful family that loves him very much, and he is enjoying a very happy life. Gregory’s family also has another Beagle, and he and Gregory have become best pals.”
“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,” the couple explained.
Gregory was going to be euthanized because he had heartworm disease
This is caused by worms measuring up to a foot long in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, decreased appetite, reluctance to exercise, a mild persistent cough, a swollen abdomen, and heart failure.
That rescue came just in time.
The facts about shelters
2.7 million out of 7.6 million pets in shelters across the United States are euthanized for various reasons each year. These reasons include contagious illnesses or overly aggressive behavior, although many are simply due to overpopulation. Adopt a dog to help reduce these numbers.
Here is what others had to say about this story.
People had plenty to say about Gregory’s story.
He truly is.
If more people adopted these dogs, euthanasia would be a thing of the past.
That’s the kind of comment this rescue brings out.
This is just like the man who rescued a dog one hour before scheduled euthanasia, with the clock running out.
Indeed they do
That’s the real question.
He really did look thankful
Gregory’s face says a lot without saying anything at all.
I can understand why you would love them. This one is beautiful.
Thank you for saving that dog and giving him a good home.
That gratitude is hard to miss.
It really is a look of happiness.
Your thoughts!
What do you think of this story? Do you know of any similar stories?
Some rescues just hit differently.
After 2,381 days, see the beagle finally adopted and how it changed everything: a dog astonished after being adopted.
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