Texas Stray Answers Wisconsin Couple's Prayers

Found wandering along the country roads of Texas, this rescued pup would languish for months in a local shelter. That is, until, the pittie look-alike ultimately connected with the perfect adoptive family.

Named Tony by the shelter staff, the young dog was found by a good samaritan who contacted Bosque Animal Rescue Kennels, after finding Tony and what was assumed to be his brother, later named Tyson.

After being brought to safety, young Tony would then sit for six long months waiting for that special family to pick him out of all the other rescues. Now, the shelter feels the lack of interest may have been related to the two dogs' jet-black coats and pittie-type appearance- either of which could have sent up red flags to potential adopters.

I'm not sure I could walk through a dog shelter and not want to leave with all of them. And from an emotional standpoint, its tough to see a dog sitting behind bars, seemingly unloved. But from a practical standpoint, every day a shelter needs to care for a dog costs money. From food and veterinary care to covering the wages of those working to maintain kennels and provide administration. And most shelters are already pretty cash-strapped.

That's why ongoing support matters so much. The iHeartDogs Hero VIP Club helps fund rescue efforts, and, as a result, gives vulnerable dogs something they desperately need: time. Because while finding Tony a home was important, finding him the perfect home was imperative. And in this case, that would take months.

Let's cross states for a moment. Because around that same time, hundreds of miles north in Wisconsin, Dawn Clarke and her husband were mourning the loss of their 16-year-old dog named Blue who had passed away during their recent move from North Carolina. Also mourning the loss of his best friend was their other dog named Hope who, according to Clarke, went on a food strike, wouldn't play, and "just didn't enjoy anything." They knew she needed a friend and while they weren't sure they were ready to take on another dog just yet, the dog mom found herself talking to Blue. "I prayed and I talked to Blue a lot," she said. "I asked him to send us the dog that needed us. To pick out one and walk him through our gate."

Soon after, a Wisconsin rescue volunteer called about a dog who had recently arrived on one of BARK's freedom rides. This was the sign she had been waiting for and after calling to confirm they were interested, she and her husband watched as that wee Texan, Tony came walking through their gate.

The connection was instant. "When Ripp arrived at our home, it was love at first sight. For all of us," Dawn said. Just like that, Tony, the passed-over rescue dog, became Ripp, a cherished family companion who quickly discovered the couch, the bed, and every warm spot in between.

Interestingly enough, their other dog, Hope, who can be highly protective of her food and space, allowed the new dog to eat from her bowl on the very first night. And Clarke confirms that the two play tug-of-war and love to lounge in the sunshine together. "They truly are perfect," she says.

Ripp's story, like that of a tiny Texas puppy named Shrimp who traveled from beneath a shed to a forever home, proves rescue never happens in a single moment. Instead, it happens through countless acts of kindness, and through the supporters who give overlooked dogs the one thing they need most: time to be seen.