These 42 Before and After Rescue Dog Pictures Will Make Your Heart Swell

Annie was scheduled to be euthanized at the Downey Animal Shelter after her previous owners left her there in terrible shape. California-based Chews Life Dog Rescue stepped in, giving her a new life for nearly two years before she was adopted by a family in Marina Del Rey. Now, this lucky pup is all smiles as she goes for strolls on the beach and plays fetch.

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Matilda was supposedly used for breeding and fighting before being sold on Craigslist along with her five puppies. She (and her babies) were saved by Chews Life, but unlike her pups, it took Matilda over a year to be adopted. She has since lost an eye to glaucoma but that doesn't stop her from happily cuddling with her adopter and playing with her stuffed toys.

Nealy, a.k.a. Boo, was saved by Florida-based CARES Rescue discovered in the street near one of the group's meet and greet events. A lot of grooming and some TLC turned her into a whole new pup. Now she is living the sweet life in Tampa, Florida.

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Stubin was taken to a kill shelter after being dumped in a crate on the side of the road with a cataract in one of his eyes. After being passed up for adoption, CARES took him in and fixed him up for his forever home. Now he goes to sleep every night on a soft bed thanks to his loving family.

Lincoln, another CARES rescue, was homeless, hungry and infested with fleas and ticks before he was adopted into his forever home. He's found happiness in a daily routine of chasing squirrels, getting belly rubs and snack time at his grandma and grandpa's house. He also can't get enough of his fave Christmas gift, a dog toy named "Birdie."

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Eliza was found in Austin when she was four years old with matted fur so severe that she had to be sedated when the groomers shaved it all away. Thanks to the Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin/San Antonio, nearly three pounds of debris and fur was removed from her ears but infections caused by all the debris left her deaf. Eliza was adopted by an Austin-based attorney who has been taking her on long walks and training her with sign language.

Thorse Dog Rescue saved Guppy's life from a kill shelter after he was found blind and wandering the streets in Florida. He was believed to be about 15 years old at the time, but Sheridan and Bryan Thorse Pierard refused to give up on their Guppy. Slowly but surely, he started making progress. These days Guppy can eat on his own and loves relaxing in his mom's arms as she sings and rocks him back and forth. His rescuers want to stress the importance of caring for older animals who are often overlooked for adoption.

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When Cookie was surrendered to Hamilton Animal Control in Ontario, she had a skin infection and was severely malnourished. Vets believe she was a puppy mill dog who had several litters before she was taken in by the Ladybird Animal Sanctuary. Her parents call her a "foster fail" because they couldn't bear to give her up after so many sleepless nights spent comforting her. She continues to make strides every day while enjoying life with her step brother, Benjamin Franklin.

Hearts United for Animals rescued Blueberry after he spent six years in a puppy mill. He was living in South Dakota where he lost all of his teeth and suffered brain damage from seizures. Rather than dwell on the negative, his forever family says that his brain damage has actually made him a happier dog because he's usually oblivious to things happening around him but never the love that he receives.

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Cotton is another example of a "foster fail." She was saved from a kill shelter with less than an hour before she was scheduled to be put down. She was starving, pregnant, had heartworm and was covered with fleas. Cotton welcomed seven puppies within a day of being rescued by Halfway There. Her family says her laid back attitude is the reason they fell in love with her. Once she was healthy enough to be adopted herself, she had already found the perfect place.

This sweet pup was found tied to a foreclosed home suffering from mange and fleas. He was initially taken in as a foster at around three years old but as his human explained, "It became clear in a matter of days that Wally was already home." Wally is now around six and loves to travel and post about his adventures on Instagram.

Edison Animal Shelter in New Jersey found Zoey on the street when she was eight months old. She had a skin infection, open wounds and was missing some hair. Rescue City saved her before she caught a bad case of pneumonia which kept her hospitalized for a week. It was during this hospitalization that a Rescue City volunteer decided that Zoey's forever home was with her.

Taj's rescuer saved him from a home where he was given marijuana and methamphetamine. She fostered him briefly and nursed him back to health while connecting him with his forever parents. Taj has recovered and grown into a loving companion who still excitedly greets the woman who saved his life whenever he sees her on his walks.

Stanley's human fell in love with him through a post on Petfinder.com. He was rescued from a physically abusive breeder in Kentucky who kept him in a small cage without food. When Stanley finally met his owner, he slept on her lap for the entire car ride to his forever home and hasn't left her side since.

Skylah was saved by New York-based Rescue City from under a boardwalk in Brooklyn right before a big snowstorm in 2016. Vets suspected she was bred for her puppies and then abandoned. Now she is spoiled with love and attention from her family and dog siblings.

Sarge was adopted from the HOPES shelter in Texas after his owner, Marion, stopped in while celebrating his last day in the Army. Three years down the line, when Marion started struggling with PTSD, Sarge became so much more than just a pet. Marion writes, "Sarge has a sixth sense. He knows when I'm having an off day and he won't leave my side. He has since been trained to be a service dog so we can go everywhere together." Marion adds that he would be "so lost" without his best friend.

This little guy is Sammie. His mother, Baby Cakes, was surrendered to the Florence Area Humane Society by her owner who couldn't care for her anymore. Sammie's adopters were longtime volunteers at FAHS who knew that he belonged with them as soon as they saw him. They consider his adoption fee to be the best $80 they've ever spent. Sammie loves spending his day chewing on milk bones and chilling with his kitty companion, Ivan.

Rex was brought into Mississippi's Natchez Adams County Humane Society in June by a driver who found the dog on the side of the road while he was passing through town. The good samaritan paid for medical costs in the hopes that Rex would be adopted. No such luck. Rex's savior drove all the way back from North Carolina when he learned that Rex was still waiting for his forever home and took him where he was meant to be all along.

When Ramen met Nicole at the Humane Society of Utah, Nicole was actually there to see about another pup but fate worked its magic and Ramen wound up in her arms. Following a speedy adoption process, Ramen started showing signs of an injury that required hip surgery. Now Ramen loves chasing other dogs around in the local park before coming home to unwind with his step-sister (a fellow rescue) in his forever home.

Plum Pudding was rescued from a puppy farm before her owner found her through Many Tears Rescue in Wales. Now she's made a full 180 and has even befriended Captain Picard himself, Patrick Stewart.