12 Heart Warming Dog Rescue Stories

Otis’ Bond

Close-up image of Otis with tongue sticking out.
CREDIT: NCCR

In the summer of 2015, a dog named Otis went missing from his home in the small town of Sylva, North Carolina. His owners, Steve and Cindy, searched tirelessly for him but had no luck finding their beloved pet. After weeks of searching, they began to lose hope.

Meanwhile, a group of hikers were making their way through the dense forest near the town when they heard a faint barking sound in the distance. The hikers followed the sound and eventually stumbled upon Otis, who had been lost in the wilderness for more than a month.

Otis was emaciated, dehydrated, and had suffered several injuries during his time in the wild. The hikers immediately contacted the local animal rescue organization, who came to Otis’s aid. They took him to a nearby veterinarian, where he was treated for his injuries and nursed back to health.

Despite his traumatic experience, Otis quickly regained his strength and returned to his loving family, who were overjoyed to have him back. Steve and Cindy were overwhelmed with gratitude to the hikers who had found Otis and the animal rescue organization who had saved his life. Otis’s story touched the hearts of people around the world, and he even received a Hero Dog award from the American Humane Society for his incredible survival and resilience.

Please continue reading the next page for more inspiring dog rescue stories.