That’s probably a pretty tough question, isn’t it?
After all, there have been more than 170 dogs to choose from! But for many of us, one M.A.I.N. dog seems to stick in our minds over the others. Who was that dog for you? We’re going to close out this incredible year, by remembering those who’s images, videos and stories have stuck with us longer than others.
Please share your most inspirational dog of 2012 with us and let us know why they meant so much to you.
Use the Comments section below…
- Here are some from our Facebook page!
Lindsey Schlicht: Of course my own M.A.I.N. puppy inspires me most but aside from her, I’d have to say Jessie has most deeply touched me, I think of her everyday!
Jeremy Bryner: Do I honestly have to answer this? Java!!! Of course! I was showing my mom his video yesterday and could barely hold back tears. It’s so hard to watch him suffer at the hands of others when I love him the way I do. Every dog that comes through MAIN has his/her own special story but my answer will as be my beautiful lil Java. Kona and Emma are close behind him though!
Kim Nickells: Sapphire touched my heart and inspired me so much! She is my very, very favorite, although there have been many this year. M.A.I.N., you are inspirational! Thank you.
Libby Thompson: The three MAIN dogs this year that especially got to me were Gilligan, Penelope and sweet Jessie most of all. That photo of her sprawled full length across her foster mom is so endearing and she is so grateful for all you and her foster family have done for her.
Skarlot Mike: UMMM all of them touched my heart and gave me hopes as you at MAIN did.
Trisha Ann Fleischer: I think for me it was Rosie…..her sad haunting photo at county with her head hung low behind bars, so hopeless and suffering from mange…this image really captured and summed up your mission in one picture…..that image will ALWAYS stick with me when i think of the amazing work you do….why you all do what you do every day!
Heather Haltmeyer: My sweet Magoo is one of the most inspirational dogs I’ve met with M.A.I.N. this year! Despite not having any eyes, he is such a happy dog- his tail truly is ALWAYS wagging. He doesn’t mind other dogs at all and happily trots along with my pack. He gets around amazingly well and if he happens to bump into something, he just backs up and tries again.
He really enjoys the “little” things in life- I swear, he stops and smiles if he’s outside and a breeze runs through the air, ruffling his fur. He’s always sniffing something out (or trying to steal my food, haha).
A lot of people’s first inclination is to feel sorry for Magoo when they see a pic of him with no eyes and ask me how he can get around, amazed when I say “he gets around great!” I have to chuckle, because I suppose I take for granted just how amazing he really is, seeing him day in and day out. He has such a joyful, happy spirit and I’m so happy he found his way to us this year.
Denise Lane Johnston: Of course, mine will be Paige (the one I couldn’t foster & she would have been my first) — I still miss not seeing her.
Storm Johnson: Kona….her video was extra heartbreaking that sweet face so covered in ticks. Fell in love with her.
Trisha Ann Fleischer: As inspiring as EVERY MAIN dog is…..I sit here and cannot help but cry as I think about how precious and amazing WE all feel they are and how they have changed OUR lives… but at the same time am reminded that someone left them to suffer in pain, neglected them, or left them to be PTS at MCACC …how far they have all come and how many people they have changed through their transformations!
Shannon Evans: They are ALL amazing but Pepper…. I will never in a million years forget her… I wish I could have her!!!
Debbie Angell-Thomas: the stories i have read are all heart felt but i have to say Pepper’s story was extra special..
Sheila M Hauber: My most inspirational is our Jesse girl but my first love is Brewster. Even though I couldn’t foster him, it is because of him that I discovered MAIN and be a part their fabulous foster network. Plus I got to help name him! Of course Ginger and Paige will always have a special place in my heart too. Every single MAIN dog is an inspiration to me though. To be able to come back from abuse, neglect or injury and still love, accept love and live life to the fullest. There isn’t anything more inspirational.
Michelle Lilly: PEPPER! YES! ….and Capone…. L-O-L! JK, he was only a MAIN dog for like a minute!
Suzanne Singer: That would have to be Monty! He was moved around like a musical chair and was still the sweetest boy ever!!!
Kim Mason: so many to choose from…..Flaco would definitely be one, along with Benny and Rosie but most recently, my heart has belonged to Paige and Sawyer. As long as my bank account can keep up with it, we will be just fine.
Mark Zimmer: The first dog that grabbed my heart was the white dog back in the Spring. I forget her name but I cried like a baby when she passed. Of course my Reilly captured my heart and I adopted her. I would also go with Sapphire. She was as wretched as it gets w mange.
Karen Allison: Well you know, of course, I HAVE to say my own M.A.I.N. adoptee, Paddington. I sit here with my own dear Paddington in my lap, I must admit he inspires me to want to give back when you have an opening. When I watch the video of his rescue with his little sad eyes, his throat ripped open, and to think someone let him go, breaks my heart. He is the happiest dog I have ever owned and I’m thankful for him. I’d also have to say Magoo and Kona..
Cara Cornell: Would have to say the every MAIN dog is awesome, you guys really are amazing, but would have to say Flower is the one that stuck with me and of course Noel. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for all you do.
Claire Johnson: I tell you what, that Lucky is a freaking ROCK STAR. Somebody needs to take that boy home : )
Joelle Stonebraker: Jessie…….her raw video was so incredibly heartbreaking, but look at her now! I love that girl.
Trisha Ann Fleischer: Bleu was my “first” Main dog I got my hands on….I got to bathe that kiddo….what a sweet pea!
Nancy Varner: For me, it had to be Cosmo that tore at my heart..
Pauline Long: Every one of them are inspirational – but if I had to choose… it would probably be Jessie…
Yael Kusne: My choice too– Pepper was my little love.
Michelle Lilly: GILLIGAN! For sure!
Courtney Steinberg: Cosmo obviously my first main dog. But he stole my heart. Lucky for being so awesome and brave and hanging in there for so long….and who can forget Toby?
Faith Hope: Love Harry, and of course my crazy Lacy and her many wrinkles and giant lips. Having her right front leg with two broken bones, the left side of her pelvis broken, her entropion on both eyes, under weight, in heat and yet nothing but sweet through it all
Paige Miller Peters: Diesel– not a day goes by that i dont think about him and the way his eyes looked at me as he was so gratful for someone loving him. When he came to us, he literally had looked like he had given up physically and mentally. Not even a turn of his head when we would enter the room and just would look at you fearful when you try to pet him. It only took about a week for him to mentally transform into the loving, sweet dog he is now. His skin condition took much longer to heal and still is a work in progress. i will never forget Diesel and the time he spent in our home. I feel like we both are forever changed and he truely inspired me in many ways. He taught me that you never give up on any animal, even if he think they have given up themselves. He will forever be in my heart!!!
Kim Leubner: Aww!! Harry! I just cried reading his name. Ugh!! He deserved so much more than the hand he was dealt in life!! That was the hardest foster and I only had him 2 nights. And of course my heart belongs to Rosie girl!
Paulette Herrman: I was told “NO MORE DOGS”, so “fostering” an injured puppy seemed like the best alternative for me, and, really, how much trouble could a one pound, one ounce chihuahua be? Eventually It was time to find little Latte (now Lily) a furever home. To my surprise, the retired Sr. Special Agent decided THREE wasn’t so bad after all. Latte’s life started with pain and abandonment ….. Something she NEVER has to worry about ever again!!! Thanks M.A.I.N.!!!!!
Eva Gephart: My most inspirational dog would be my very first foster Rose (who we call Rosie). When Leslie brought her to our home that weekend night my hart was beating so fast I was so happy to see her. Her tail was wagging and was ready to give kisses all was forgiven from her past and she was ready to start her new life with no grudge. Her first night I gave her a ball and she slept with it in her mouth on a nice comfy bed all curled up in a ball. It was hot but she was a bag of bones and was cold so she wore a sweatshirt and blankets until her hair grew and some meat to cover her bones. No matter where we take her or who meets her she greets them with a huge butt wiggle and a sloppy kiss. She shows me everyday is a new day a new adventure and a new opportunity to learn forgive and live.
Tobie Denney: My most inspirational dog would have to be Norman our little old blind man. I did the original transport and fostered for a few days until Leslie was able to take him and eventually in a long term foster with Gayla. I was fortunate to have another opportunity to foster Norman at the end of his life which was way to soon for me. This little boy was such a joy and happy to be wherever he landed. He lived the last part of his life with such grace and joy he will always have a very special place in my heart even though our time with him was short, I know his time was MAIN was happy and I know he knows how much he was loved…..RIP sweet boy.
Mark Zimmer: My most inspirational dog has to be Sapphire. I transported this poor little wretched mange covered pit-mix puppy to BAH. She was so tiny, and her face and paws were so swollen that they were pink. Here face was swollen so much that her eyes were almost shut. She layed on a coverless dog bed in the back of my Element and when I got to BAH she had scratched so much she had opened up her sores. But when I opened up the door she raised her little head and wagged her tail…she just knew she was just so happy that someone was going to take care of her. To see her today is amazing. This is why we do what we do.
Colleen Olson Hicks: Many of you won’t remember Bleu but when pulled she was so swollen they thought she was a male. I think she was in the 1st dozen pulled by MAIN. Most Inspirational – yeap for me she is it! Loves Cats, Dogs and people…Shes amazing:)
Lisa Menzie: Finn arrived at our house after being rescued off the E-list at west with a horrible case of mange. He was about 2 months old, his eyes were almost swollen shut, he couldn’t walk, and most of his fur had been replaced with thick scabbed wounds which bled and oozed as the mites burrowed through his skin. He had to be miserable, and he had the right to hate and distrust all humans – but all he wanted was love! I could track him, through the house, by following the blood specks on the floor. I know it hurt, but he would sit patiently in the bathtub when I would given him his mange baths – often making him bleed worse, in the beginning.
He loved his pack too – learning to be housebroken by watching the other dogs, playing bitey face – waiting with joy and a furious tail wag every morning when it was time for his pills. His hair grew back soft as velvet, and he had a song in his heart. Everyone is his friend, and we are better people because of him!
Amber Winner: Sapphire was an amazing foster! Incredibly smart, loyal and loving. She loved to play, splash around in the pool and cuddle in your arms as she went to sleep. It was amazing watching her fur grow in, it was like one day I woke up and had a totally different looking dog. Although her life started out terrible, she did not let it slow her down. In the end, all she wanted was love and that’s exactly what she got! The second you would meet Sapphire you would be totally in love with her! It was her special gift she is such a sweet girl…. I’m so happy she has found a fur-ever home that will love her always!
Kathleen Hurley Moren: The Journey for Flaco – rescued by MAIN and fostered by me….his video still brings me to tears. Flaco is a very special guy who has such a survival spirit, and is sweet, adoring, and very loyal as well as incredibly smart and well behaved. Love this sweetie : )
Flower is a great choice D. Loiselle! She is doing great in her foster home currently. We just added a new video of her trotting along happily, headed to the dog park- check it out on her page if you haven’t already! 🙂
I also miss the collage Don did. I used to look at his pics all the time.
Angela, I wish we could have seen Archie’s before and after, too.. I felt so sorry for that little guy… Such a sweet kid here and so polite with the other dogs. Thanks for remembering Archie.
Angela, Cathy has always been our resident “Collage Queen”!! lol.. Are you sure you aren’t thinking of her work? She still adds them whenever we have photos!
Thanks Angela…Don & I picked up Archie late one night after the shelter closed…we had high hopes for that kid as we drove him to the safety of Don’s house. His collage was very powerful, very sad. I love putting this stories together in collages, like Don does in video. His little face will never leave my heart. Thank you for following his story…~Cathy
awe, I wish there was a “Like” button on here, Cathy!
Thanks for showing Archie love Don 🙂 ~Cathy
Sorry for the mistake. I was talking about the ones of him and Penelope on a bed as nap buddies, and the one where he was looking so good before the pneumonia set in. The videos are all awesome too. I wish there was more I could do here from Washington state. M.A.I.N. and all of the volunteers, fosters, and BAH give so many animals a chance who would otherwise not have one. After the update saying he as doing ok after a week I was so hopeful. Now I try and find comfort he isn’t in pain anymore.
Awww, YAY!! Thank you for posting Diana!!! Give that big girl xoxo from me. Are you in our adopter group on fb? ~Cathy
Dianna, so happy to hear Sapphire is doing well! I miss that girl- she is really something special. Are you on FB? Can we add you to our FB adopter’s page so you can post pics/updates on Sapphire? We would all love to see how she is doing! 🙂 -Heather
No I am not on the adopter’s page but if you add me I will add pictures of Sapphire – AKA Snappy – Although Sully will be in all of them as well. Wherever one is, the other is close by 🙂
Oh, I get it.. Yes, they were fast friends!
That’s such great news, Diana… Snappy/Sapphire is an amazing success story! That POOR puppy, and now look at her!
the rescuers, that pull and save.. network and share, donate and beg for more. without them these sweet creatures would perish.
the transporters, they take these babies from a life of suffering to one of care and hope.
the volunteers, that pet and love, nurture, instill hope, sit beside them as they recover, sit beside them as their suffering ends and they cross the bridge.
the staff, each person plays a part in the recovery.. each job helps save lifes.
the fosters, you give these babies a safe haven to heal wounds deeper than flesh. without you, their flesh would heal but their souls would not; you teach them to trust again.
i am inspired by each four-legged creature.. but only because of the work and dedication of the two-legged ones.
thank you for bringing hope.. humbly,
from baby =^..^= beaubeau =^..^= buddy ^..^ and i
Suzy, that’s a beautiful post.. Thank you so much! Happy New Year to you & your furbabies!!
Hannah is a 10 year old yellow lab that was dumped at MCACC. Her body had grown old and her hips weak. She had only one good eye and as we discovered later, laryngeal paralysis, a very treatable condition.
She was rescued by M.A.I.N. and in cooperation with Arizona Labrador & Giant Breed Rescue (ALGBR), she was treated and then New Hoped by ALGBR. It took several months to find a new home for Hannah, but finally the right person came along to give her the love and care she had EARNED! Time is a luxury when you find yourself at the shelter and for dogs like Hannah, time is never on your side. M.A.I.N. and ALGBR gave her the gift of time to help her find her forever home.
What is inspiring about this story is not only the fact that M.A.I.N. took an old girl like Hannah and gave her a second chance at life, but the cooperation between M.A.I.N. and ALGBR to work together to help one very deserving dog. To use each others talents and resources for a common goal: to save lives. That is what rescue is all about and that is why we will continue to do this until our own bones grow weak and our own eyesight fails us. Always for the dogs.
Rosie came to me in February of last year after being pulled by M.A.I.N. She was missing patches of fur all over her body from Mange and her shelter picture was so heartbreaking. From the moment I saw the picture, I knew I needed to do something. Shortly after she was rescued, I went to BAH to meet her while she waited in boarding for a foster home. After that first meeting, I knew I needed to offer her a place in our home, while she waited for her own furever home to come along.
Rosie stayed with us for almost four months, before being adopted. Saying that Rosie was the perfect dog is an understatement. I have never met such a loving and forgiving soul. And after all she had been through, it was just amazing to me that she was able to forgive so easily. She loved my dogs, my cat, and most of all my 1 year old daughter. My daughter and her were the best of friends. If they were both missing, I could usually find them out in the backyard together rolling in the grass or playing with toys. Rosie didn’t have a mean bone in her entire body.
The end of May came and a family with another dog and a young boy about my daughter’s age came along and adopted Rosie. It was one of the saddest and happiest days of my life. I was so excited for her to move on, but I still miss her each and every day. My daughter still talks about Rosie, as if she were one of our own dogs. I know that she is living a wonderful life and that is all I could have asked for!
Kim, I LOVE that story!!! Thanks for sharing it with everyone. I know it’s a hard thing to see these dogs move on to their furever home, and I know the amount of love it takes from us to let them go.. Thanks from everyone at MAIN for being such an amazing foster mom!
Ahh, Rosie! I’ll never forget all of our late night texts and chats about that little stinker and the story about how she greeted you at the door that day she was supposed to be separated in another area…oh the mystery, LOL! Thanks for being her foster angel Kim <3 ~Cathy
Audrea I was so happy when I heard that Hannah was adopted! ALGBR was so awesome to work with. I love it when those in the rescue community come together for a common goal – to save a life.
When I saw her at the shelter, so sad, with her one eye, it broke my heart. She was so precious and so confused as to why she was there. The eye had been surgically removed, so this girl had been someone’s pet. Was she lost or did her “family” just have no use for an old one-eyed dog anymore?
None of that mattered anymore when Hannah left the shelter, on her way to a new life. ~Kelly
Ah yes, sweet Hannah! I remember the day we took her to the park and then she got sick with a very high fever/coughing. I was so worried about her but luckily, she pulled through and went on to find her perfect home. So wonderful that ALGBR took her in! <3 -Heather
Awwwww Rosie is such an incredible before and after! Thanks for sharing Kim. ♥ Kelly
My most inspiring M.A.I.N. dog was Beau. I never met Beau because I live in WA, but his story is what started my journey and changed my life forever. I was planning a trip to Phoenix this spring, just to meet him and Kelly Noble, but we lost Beau last year. And I say we, because I too loved him and miss him and his crazy antics everyday. I am so very grateful that M.A.I.N. exists to help dogs like Beau, and all the others that you save everyday! I think about Beau daily, and today I am getting a tattoo to honor him and all the other lives we have lost. Again, just thank you for doing what you do and allowing a dog like Beau to live out their days with love and dignity. Now matter how many days that is <3.
What happened to belle the bait dog jan.2012 ?
Suzanne, Bell was with Urban Rescues and he sadly passed away. :-/