Pet Rescue Stories

Joni Dick is a bit of a pro when it comes to adding animals to a household. The owner of four rescued animals, her most recent addition is Willow, a one-year old Lynx point Siamese mix. She took in the kitten when she was a month old and in a vulnerable situation.

“Willow came to me when she was just four weeks old,” she said. “The weather was bitter cold in February 2019 when a good Samaritan brought her and three adult females to the Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control shelter.”

Dick fostered Willow and tended to her heath needs. But perhaps what was most important was the emotional factor.

“I also gave her tons of love and a warm home to live in while she recovered,” Dick said.” She became best friends with our 40-pound dog Nellie and even helped socialize several foster kittens who have come to me since then. It didn’t take long for us to realize she needed to stay with us.”

Like Dick, Christina Ognenoff’s rescued animal adds another dimension to her household. Her 11-year old rescue Ruby is a German Shepherd/Lab mix she took home in 2008. Her motive for adopting was to be a part of the solution.

“I knew I wanted to adopt a dog because there are so many pets that end up in shelters for whatever reason — perfectly wonderful animals that somehow found themselves without homes or people to love them,” she said. “She was one of my favorites at the shelter,” she said. “At that time, her name was Honor. Some dogs struggle more than others in a shelter. She was starting to shut down, so I decided to foster her and get her into a less stressful environment. She never left.”

However, the transition didn’t come without its share of challenges. For one, being a working dog breed, Ruby was craving mental stimulation. It was important for Ognenoff to keep her out of trouble, so training was essential. Ruby found an outlet as a therapy dog and it proved to be a good fit.

“She received her CGC (Canine Good Citizenship) and then became a certified therapy dog through Alliance of Therapy Dogs,” she said. “We volunteer with Three Rivers Visiting Dogs and go to Lutheran Hospital and Parkview. My shelter dog has a job giving back to the community.”

Like the two other women, Stacy Erickson-Pesetksi is a shelter volunteer and has been smitten by a rescue of her own. Juno is a 7-year old Shih Tzu mix, adopted from the Allen County SPCA in September 2014.

“She was about two at the time and very skinny and scared,” she said. “I had a special place in my heart for her when we met her because she just looked like she wanted people to love.”

Pesektski decided to take a chance on her and they’ve been a tight-knit family ever since. And now Pesetksi is paying it forward in a way.

“The love she has given our family inspired me to be an SPCA volunteer, as well,” she said. “I was so grateful for all the love she received before she got to us that I knew I wanted to help other shelter dogs find their forever home too.” a

By Lauren Caggiano

Sometimes, animals come into our lives and we’re forever changed. Three local women agree and share their stories of rescuing their four-legged friends.