A Rescue Story... Duke and Duchess Find Forever Love!

It always warms my heart to hear incredible stories of dogs that had a rough start but didn't let that hold them back from having a fantastic life!  I recently had the opportunity to work with two such dogs and their dedicated, supportive human parents who give them every chance to bring out their best selves.  Meet Duchess and Duke...

​Their litter and parents were found abandoned and malnourished in a yard in South Carolina.   Both Duchess and Duke had developed a severe case of Demodectic Mange and parasites as a result of their environment.  Finally, they found solace when Howlin4Spirit Companion Animal Rescue in Rutherfordton, North Carolina took the pups and their parents into their care.

Chris and Monica Byrd each had family dogs growing up, but in their 20 years together, they had not found an opportunity to adopt fur babies of their own due to career obligations. Moving to West Point, NY offered them the perfect environment, time and resources to devote to nurturing a wonderful relationship with their canine babies.   And so they contacted Howlin4Spirit when they found Duchess and Duke's pictures online.

They both recall the day they met Duke and Duchess as one of the happiest of their lives.  It took over a year to treat the mange, but that didn't stop Chris and Monica from giving these babies all the love they deserved and the care they needed!  Both dogs are now happy, healthy and beautiful!  Duchess graduated from obedience class with Dad's help, and Duke is a "momma's boy" to the core.  The entire Byrd pack enjoys hiking all around West Point (and the rest of the Hudson Valley), followed by long naps cuddling up on the couch or bed.  They are now moving their lives back south a bit to Washington, D.C. and look forward to finding new hiking spots in our nation's capital city!  I wish them all the best and know Chris and Monica will continue to help Duchess and Duke bring out their best selves on all their new adventures!

If you have an amazing rescue story to share, don't be shy - send it to us at [email protected]!