Here are some touching stories of rescued animals who have become mascots for the groups that rescued them, spreading messages of better treatment of animals.
BurnieHouston Humane Society
In 1996, two teens tied Burnie to a tree, doused her with gasoline and set her on fire. A police officer caught them in the act and took Burnie to HHS.
Throughout her treatments for third-degree burns and rehabilitation, Burnie remained loving to everyone. She now visits schools, appears at special events, promotes Animals' Kingdom merchandise and writes her own column in the HHS Companion newsletter.
FlashHouston Humane Society
Flash was discovered in a field near the HHS administrative building. He had likely been dumped on the doorstep during the night and dragged himself into the field out of fear.
The Chihuahua had no use of his hind legs because of an old injury. There was concern about how the 3-year-old would adjust to the wheelchair made for him. However, the instant he was belted in, he took off in a flash.
DixieCitizens for Animal Protection
The Chihuahua was 4 months old when she was abandoned at the CAP shelter along with her brother.
Dixie's brother was adopted immediately. A veterinarian technician, worried that Dixie might be getting sick, asked a reluctant Trisha Royal, CAP's community outreach director, if she would foster her.
A match was made. Royal found Dixie loved children and was a hit at CAP events.
Eight-year-old Dixie holds the title of ambassador of humane education, and her portrait is displayed on one of the CAP vehicles.
SteelyHouston SPCA
The Houston SPCA does not have an official mascot, but there are beloved office cats.
The oldest is Steely, a one-eyed diabetic cat, who was rescued in 1993 during San Jacinto River flooding. A staff member doing boat rescues plucked him from a piece of plywood floating down the river.
Steely has the administrative offices to himself. The other cats, shy Guinness, Jasper, three-legged Zoe and one-eyed Pretty Baby, live in the annex offices.
TwoferAnimals Always Believe in You
Kay Pass, founder of AABY, calls Twofer a cat-terrier. The dog lived with a group of feral cats at Kingwood College before being rescued. While living with the cats, Twofer picked up some feline habits such as washing his face with his paws.
Pass and her husband found the dog at Twyla's Friends rescue and adoption group. They were looking for a second pet to join their family, which included their Doberman, Posha, who was lonely after the death of another household pup.
When the little dog got Posha's approval, he was called Twofer because he was two dogs in one: a playmate for Posha and a companion for the humans.
Twofer, estimated to be 14 years old, serves as one of AABY's ambassadogs.
ZoeAABY
When Karen K. Boughton decided to get a playmate for Roxie, a King Charles cavalier, she heard about a cavalier puppy farm about two hours from Kingwood.
Boughton saw Lady Amanda, who had just weaned a litter of pups and was no longer considered useful at the puppy farm.
The thin dog had lumps of fur and bald spots because she had been shaved to make cleanup easier. What should have been long silky ears were cut short at the base. Her vocal cords had been cut to muffle her bark, and her breath was horrendous.
The breeders wanted $500 for the lonely pup, which Boughton paid to give 5-year-old Lady Amanda a loving home and new name: Zoe.
This year Zoe and her playmate, Roxie, are covergirls for AABY's Super Star Pets of Kingwood calendar.
MonsterHeart of Gold Reptile Rescue
Monster arrived at Heart of Gold Reptile Rescue about 12 years ago after he bit his owner in the forearm and left a wound that required 60 stitches.
Gina Disteldorf got a call from a vet saying that if she did not take Monster, the iguana was going to be put down. It took about two months for Disteldorf to calm the attacking Monster.
Monster was used in education talks, but he has been retired. He's 19 1/2 years old; the iguana life span is 15-20 years.
He still eats and gets around, but he is definitely getting senile, according to Disteldorf.
AthenaFriends for Life
After living with the same family for 12 years, Athena was taken to the shelter because the family's toddlers were kicking and hitting her. Athena had stopped eating, and she had an eye infection. Other shelters wouldn't take her because she was too old to be adoptable.
After the infected eye was removed, Athena began to trust the staff.
Athena was adopted by an attentive artist, but Athena didn't appreciate sharing space with catty siblings. One of the artist's kittyless friends took Athena to live a quiet life nearby.
