On June 13, 2011, I rescued Maddie. That day, Maddie was completely broken. And sadly... I'm not referring to her poor physical condition.
Yes, Maddie was very sick. She was suffering from a severe case of demodectic mange, which had forced her to live in agonizing pain for most of her life. In addition, her body was covered in hundreds of ticks, and she also had eye and ear issues. But that wasn't what struck me most about Maddie...
I was most struck by Maddie's spirit. Maddie's heart was completely broken.
And mine was, too.
Little Maddie had been beaten down by the cruelty of the world. For months, she'd waited... on the side of a busy highway... for someone --anyone-- to help her.
And for months... no one stopped for her.
Eventually, Maddie lost all hope... and she waited to die. By the time help finally arrived, Maddie's spirit was already dead.
Maddie's road to recovery wasn't easy. She was in a great deal of physical pain... but it was the ever-so real pain in her heart that caused her to cry out in sadness much of her early days with me...
But I showered her with affection, and soon, Maddie learned to trust. She learned to smile, to play, and to dance. She learned from me, and she taught me, too. Together, our hearts became whole.
Today, Maddie is a tribute to the transforming power of love. Love alone healed Maddie. Sure, mange baths and meds healed her skin. But love healed Maddie's heart... so that her spirit could return.
And wow... what an incredible spirit this girl has...
Maddie loves love. Maddie loves other dogs. Maddie loves playtime, and breakfast time, and toy time. Maddie loves yards for running, and couches for napping. She loves hugs, kisses, and special snuggles.
Today... Maddie loves life.
So now, my greatest wish is to give my Maddie Moo the family she deserves. And even though my heart will break to pieces when she leaves me for her forever home... the time has come to make her final wish come true...
Maddie is spayed, up-to-date on vaccinations, and heartworm negative. In addition, she's housebroken and extremely well-behaved. I've rehabilitated a lot of pups, but I'm honestly blown away by the amazing dog Maddie has become. In truth, she's perfect.Most of her life, Maddie waited on the side of the road for someone to help her... for someone to give her a chance to be special. Now, Maddie waits again... for someone to take her home.
Please... help me make Maddie's dream of a family come true. Show her that she's truly special by sharing her story. On June 13, she needed me, and I was there for her. Now, she needs you. Please don't let her down.
If you're interested in adopting my Maddie,
CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE ONLINE ADOPTION APP!
I'd adopt her if possible. Being all the way in Texas is the only problem. I hope she finds a good home!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sharing for her! Such beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteTransport is available to an amazing home! I should've mentioned that: I can arrange transport to anywhere in the country, no problem :)
ReplyDeleteSo, if anyone is interested in adopting my Maddie (or any of my babies)-- regardless of your location-- please fill out the adoption application and we can go from there :)
OMG I can't stop crying. Thank you God for bringing Ashley into this poor baby's life. And Please God, find her a good and loving home. She deserves it so much! Thank you Ashley for what you did for her. There SHOULD be more people out there doing this type of work. I'm too old and have too many dogs already so I can't adopt anymore, but someone please find it in your heart to take Maddie. She will NEVER forget what was done for her, after the horrible past she had.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference you have made in Maddie's life. I have 7 dogs and 5 cats that we rescued and if I had more room for her to run and play, I would take her. She does look like a real sweetheart!!!
ReplyDeleteshe is absolutely beautiful inside and out (just like you)! That happy dog face brought tears to my eyes :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story it is beautiful if i didnt have 5 rescues my self i would gladly bring her home i took a pitt in two weeks ago and after a vet visit have found out she is pregnant and will have to wait too spay her to make matters worse she was beat with some sort of bat or pipe and has a bad back so all my attention is on her right now im not very proud to be a human sometimes when i see the things they do too helpless animals but then i read stories like this one and it gives me hope thank you again
ReplyDeleteI cried when I read Maddie's story. I would love to have her. She is beautiful inside, and out thanks to you, Ashley. However, I live in a apartment that does not allow Pitts. I owned one for 14 years before she passed, and then we moved here. she was the greatest fur baby ever.So if anyone out there is even on the fence about this little girl Maddie my advice to you is go for it. She will enrich your life ten fold.You won't know how you ever got along without her.
ReplyDeleteIf this story does not touch anybody's heart I don't know what will. Ashley you have my deepest admiration for the wonderful things you do for these unfortunate pets. I hope God will continue to shower you with His bountiful blessings. My wish is for all these pets to get the good home and the love they so deserve. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We have 3 pets (one adopted dog and a cat our son brought back from Afghanistan) now... the most our town allows us to have so as much as we would love to take any of them our hands are tied. However we will try and help in any way we can. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteHELLO TEXAS!!! DID YOU SEE??? THEY'LL GET HER TO YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, her transformation is utterly amazing and so heartwarming. Love you for that! Someone go get her, she is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThat smile speaks Volumes!!! I am sorry that I currently have a very full house, but whomever gets this little love will be very lucky indeed. What a beautiful little soul.
ReplyDelete... I remember the day you posted those first photos of Maddie ... I looked at all the photos and cried ... how ... how ... how ... can people be so cruel ... I will never, ever understand ... but, I knew deep down, that if anyone could fix, poor, sick and beat down Maddie ... it was you ... I waited patiently for the next set of photos, and could see such a beautiful transformation happening ... love really does heal ... I, too, have seen it happen ... then came the photo last week, the photo I had been waiting for ... she has a brand new, beautiful 'healed heart', and brand new lease on life ... thanks to you ...
ReplyDelete... and today the 'blog' ... you never fail to make me cry ... but, today, they are 'happy tears' ... she is beautiful ... just beautiful ... and today, my prayer is, that someone will see, just how wonderful she is, and will give her the family and life that she has always deserved ... but didn't have ... til you ... thank you for being you ... there is no one on this earth, like you ... you truly are an Angel ...
... Godspeed Maddie ...
(I wish I could take her ... but my hands and home are full, with 6 rescued and adopted dogs ... please forgive me ... but I am praying for her and sharing her, on my page)
I remember the day you first took Maddie home, those pictures broke my heart! She WAS broken and just waiting to die. Love truly did heal her!! She looks so vibrant and happy, I am AMAZED at her transformation. I hope that someone sees her beauty (both inside and out), the spirit in her eyes and opens their hearts and gives her a forever home!! I do not have the room or I would most definitely adopt this girl.(well, the city ordinance is why I cannot adopt another dog-GRRR) I pray to God that she finds her home and have many years of love that she so rightly deserves!! God Bless you Ashley for nursing another fur-baby back to health and showing her what love really can do!
ReplyDeleteThank God for folks like you, Ashley. What would the world be like if not for you? Good job on Maddie. Please keep up the good work and keep rescuing. I live in Denver, can't have pitties here, but anyone can see what a magic act you have performed on this little girl.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much for what you've done for this sweet angel!! <3
ReplyDeleteMs. Ashley, you are a miracle worker. I said a prayer for Maddie today, for God to please help her find a forever home and I think He's listening since He help her find an angel like you to heal her so she will be ready for her forever family. I'd adopt her but we live in an apartment with 2 dogs already! So praying, she finds a home..please people take her and give her all the love she deserves.
ReplyDeleteYou're an angel. You give life.
ReplyDeleteAshely, what a heartbreaking, heart warming & amazing story!!! Oh how sweet she looks inside & out!!!! I hope God blesses Maddie the same way you have! She so deserves it!!!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how she was doing. She is amazing. So are you for taking her in and healing her health, heart, and spirit. Again, this is truly inspiring
ReplyDeleteI remember so clearly the day you posted her first photos... I wept then with sadness, and with thankfulness that she found you, her human angel. What an amazing transformation - the sadness and discharge in her eyes replaced by a bright sparkle. LIFE and LOVE. From Eric Wesley, Amber Lou and me, 4 paws up for Maddie, and another small donation coming your way- keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteAmazing Ashley..simply amazing. I, like others, remember Maddie's first post, and am blown away by how happy and beautiful she looks,.
ReplyDeleteAshley, God Bless you for the work that you do-you truly are an angel for the animals. Why can't Maddie stay with you? She clearly looks extremely happy & secure. After all she's been through, she deserves the best loving home-I feel in my heart she needs to be permanently yours. I'm sure you foster all the time and see all kinds of situations- but she truly is special. If you are unable to adopt her, please please please heavily screen any potential adopters! This beautiful girl has come too far to not end up w/a Loving FOREVER home. She DESERVES nothing short of endless love & devotion!l
ReplyDeleteBy God Ashley, you made a grown man cry. You are truly an angel to these animals. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteOmg, that is such an amazing story. I am so happy there are people out there like you to help animals. I am a huge animal lover, and it just breaks my heart the stories i hear. i would love to take in every animal that came along but i definitely don't have a big enough home for that. I've always dreamed of having a house in the country with a lot of land and build a big kennel out back so i could help strays. i hope one day my dream comes true some day. i would love to help animals. I really hope this beautiful loving dog finds a great home. i wish i could adopt her but unfortunately i live in a apt and not enough money. she needs a big yard to run in.
ReplyDeleteNothing short of a miracle. How love can heal a broken spirit & heart. You are such a wonderful young woman & so inspiring. I'm afraid I have to agree..I think she was destined for you.
ReplyDeleteThat transformation is truly amazing!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat may be the most amazing transformation ever! She looks so sweet, so beautiful! Thank you, Ashley.
ReplyDeletePS all - we can't expect Ashley to take them all! Please share & let's try to find a wonderful home. Sarah
Oh Ashley! I remember seeing her picture that first day and bawling my eyes out. Now I'm crying again - this time because she has come so damn far! What an amazing dog. I can not wait to see who will be lucky enough to take this sweet girl home. She deserves the best.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and all that you do! She is BEAUTIFUL.
ReplyDeleteMy app has been filled out. Please let this sweet little girl come live and love with us . We are looking for that WOW dog and she is it . Please give us the chance to show her what home means. Thanks for all you are doing.
ReplyDeleteHey.I am "My app has been filled out". I read my Maddie's full story. I cried again. She is in my heart forever now.
ReplyDelete