Before & After

Ralphie

TAF first came across Ralphie when we hosted a volunteer day at a local open access shelter. This quiet gentleman faded into the background as the other dogs barked for attention at the front of their cages. He almost seemed resigned to the fact that he may never leave.

We left that day without Ralphie but soon approached Project Rescue Chicago to see if they could take him into their adoption program. Once PRC agreed, TAF took care of the medical bills and PRC has been caring for him ever since. 

Well, just in time for Valentine's Day, Ralphie was adopted by a TAF volunteer and her dog! We are thrilled that he is safe and happy in a wonderful home.

Whimsy

On a trip to our local animal shelter we came across this scared girl (left photo.) She was cowering in her cage and it took some sweet talking to get her to budge. Once we were able to get her to trust us, she came out and wiggled her little nub of a tail. 

We worked with Project Rescue Chicago to not leave her behind at the shelter. She was treated for an upper respiratory infection, parasites and was spayed.

Well...a wonderful couple fell in love with her sweet face and we think this photo says it all!!

Pirri

WONDERFUL NEWS... TAF sponsored Pirri has found his forever home!!!

TAF met Pirri at our last volunteer day at an open access shelter. Even though he was scared and hid in the back of his cage, Pirri would peak his head out if you crouched down and spoke to him in a soft voice.

Not being to get this boy off of our minds that evening, TAF reached out to Project Rescue Chicago to see if they would work with us and bring Pirri into their adoption program.

For the following weeks, PRC looked after Pirri and made sure that he made it to all of his vet appointments. Once Pirri was given a clean bill of health from TAF's vet, PRC found him a loving forever home with two parents that adore him.

I think that the smile on Pirri's face says it all... this pup knows that he is loved.

Canary

WONDERFUL NEWS… Another TAF sponsored senior has found his forever home!

Canary came into TAF’s program after he was found abandoned at a condemned coal mine. 

Canary underwent testing to evaluate his medical condition and quality of life. After receiving a full senior blood panel, x-rays and ultrasound, it was determined that Canary had an extremely large and inflamed prostate that was causing him great discomfort.

After confirming that he was healthy enough for surgery, Canary received a dental and a biopsy was taken of his prostate to be sent off for testing.

Well, with a troop of people rallying behind him, Canary made a full recovery with no signs of cancer!

On their second meeting, Canary was so happy to see his new mom that he could barely keep himself out of her lap for the photo. Even sweeter… Canary’s new mom sat on the cold floor to welcome her new best friend into her arms and into her life.

TAF is so happy that we were given the opportunity to work with Project Rescue Chicago to give Canary a second chance at a new beginning!

Kostka

WONDERFUL NEWS... TAF sponsored Kostka has found his forever home!!!

TAF happened to be down at an open access facility when a Chicago police officer brought this beefy boy into the shelter.

As it turned out, Kostka was sick and blood was slowly filling up in his belly. After emergency surgery and a blood transfusion from Miller (Hippo's foster brother), Kostka made a full recovery and went into the care of Project Rescue Chicago. 

Well, before long, PRC knocked it out of the park and found Kostka the perfect forever home... just in time for Christmas!

May Kostka and his new family find many years of happiness and love!

Bluebelle

BLUEBELLE HAS FOUND HER FOREVER HOME!!!

This past November 17th was the two-year anniversary of TAF’s namesake Trio’s passing. To honor Trio’s memory, TAF ventured out to a local open access shelter on a mission to find the neediest of female pitbulls. A dog, just like our Trio, that was waiting for her suffering to stop, the pain to go away and a second chance at salvation.

As we walked through the medical ward, we came across an emaciated female pitbull with extensive damage to her back leg. Upon seeing us, the injured pup tried to come to the door of her cage but she was too weak and in too much pain to make it over.

Everyone in the room just looked at each other in disbelief, as we didn’t quite know how to handle what we were witnessing. 

The shelter had already started her on IV fluids and had put a splint on her injured leg but it was obvious that this dog needed a higher level of emergency medical care.

Once we had the injured pup in the car, it was apparent that something was very wrong and that the smell that was making us gag was coming from the puss and necrotic (dead) tissue beneath the splint.

The pup, now named Bluebelle, was rushed to the vet where she was immediately assessed and x-rayed. 

If I knew it wouldn’t repulse you, I would post the photos of the rotting hole in her leg. The smell literally cleared the room, as it was impossible to stomach without a mask on. If it wasn’t for her extreme emaciated state, Bluebelle would have had her leg amputated, at that time, to prevent further spread of gangrene and infection.

For the weeks to follow, Bluebelle was hospitalized on IV fluids, hardcore antibiotics and painkillers. During this time, the dead skin and necrotic tissue in and around her wound was cut away and the wound was flushed out.

With top-notch medical care and many prayers and good thoughts from Bluebelle’s followers, our beautiful girl made a miraculous recovery and was able to keep her leg.

It was ironic that the dog picked to honor the memory of our Trio almost suffered the same loss of her leg… perhaps Bluebelle had a three-legged angel watching over her.

Without the help of generous donors, the caring and hardworking volunteers of Project Rescue Chicago and the staff at Unleashed pups boarding and daycare, we could never have done right by Bluebelle all the while preserving the memory of a special three-legged dog that was the inspiration for the Trio Animal Foundation.

To Bluebelle… may the rest of your life be filled with joy and love. Your spirit and will to live was unwavering and you touched the hearts of many.

-Sue
Trio’s mom

Barnaby

Many of you may remember that TAF sponsored Barnaby was about to go into his forever home when it was discovered that he was heartworm positive... this was a major setback that we did not expect.

After working with Project Rescue Chicago and Barnaby's potential adopter, we were able to come up with a long term game plan that worked for everybody and allowed Barnaby to start his new life off right. He stayed in his home while finishing treatment, and is now a healthy, happy, much-loved pup!

I do believe that if you look at his latest photo, Barnaby has a smile on his face. You can even see a few of his pearly whites!

Trucker

GREAT NEWS... TAF Sponsored Trucker has found his forever home!!!

Thank you so much to Project Rescue Chicago for working with us to save this boy! We are so thrilled that this pup received his second chance!
 

Gramps

FANTASTIC NEWS! TAF sponsored Gramps has found his forever home!!!

TAF first came across Gramps at one of our TAF sponsored volunteer days at a local open access shelter. This matted and dirty senior had little to no chance of leaving the facility due to his age and a knee injury that required surgery. 

Lucky for this boy, I obsessively thought about him, day and night, until I finally reached out to Project Rescue Chicago for help. To my surprise, they were on the same page as me and couldn't get him out of their head either.

We went on to work together to make this old man ready for adoption. TAF covered all of Gramp's medical bills and PRC rehabbed him and ultimately found him the most amazing forever home.

We couldn't be prouder of this great save!

Birdie

Well… it’s official… TAF sponsored BIRDIE has found her FOREVER HOME!!!

For those not familiar with Birdie’s story, here is a brief summary of my first encounter with her…

Upon arriving at the puppy’s cage, I couldn’t help but notice a pungent odor. As I crouched down to take a closer look, a weary little face peeked out from the shadows to greet me. It was a female pitbull puppy that, among other things, was suffering from one of the worst cases of mange that I had ever seen. 

The puppy was swollen from the tips of her toes to the lids of her eyes. The parts of her body, that were once covered by fur, were now lined with hard callouses that she was desperately trying to chew off. The infestation of mites had ravaged her skin so badly that with every movement her flesh would crack and bleed.

Once out of the open access shelter, Birdie was immediately brought to the vet where she started treatment to ease her pain and give her some relief. After month of daily treatments, Birdie was healthy enough to be spayed and vaccinated. Birdie flourished as the weeks went by and before we knew it we had a happy and playful puppy on our hands. Although some of the patches of her fur may never fully grow in, our little girl is still as beautiful as can be.

We are so grateful to Project Rescue Chicago for finding Birdie an amazing home that will love her for the rest of her life!

Also, thank you so much to everybody that donated towards Birdie’s care and gave her a second chance at a happy ending. Such random acts of kindness will not soon be forgotten.