Rescued by a Dog

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Rescued by a Dog brings you first-hand stories, told by dog owners, about the pups who ACTUALLY saved their lives. These are happy-cry stories, which the world desperately needs right now. If you need to find some goodness in the world, you’ll find it here. ...Produced and hosted by Laura Thomas, animal welfare professional and author of the novel Not Just a Dog. 

Laura Thomas


    • Jun 4, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 122 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Rescued by a Dog podcast is an absolute gem that brings heartwarming and inspiring stories of the incredible bond between humans and dogs. Hosted by Laura, this podcast reminds us of the profound impact our furry friends have on our lives and how they can be true heroes in the face of adversity.

    One of the best aspects of The Rescued by a Dog podcast is the diverse range of stories it covers. Each episode showcases a different dog and their journey from being abandoned or abused to becoming a source of love, healing, and joy for their human companions. These stories are not only incredibly touching but also shed light on the resilience and spirit of these amazing animals. It's truly uplifting to hear about how dogs can transform lives and provide comfort in times of need.

    Furthermore, Laura's storytelling skills are exceptional. She has a knack for captivating her listeners with her heartfelt narration, making each episode feel like a personal conversation with a friend. Her ability to bring out the emotions behind each story is commendable, leaving listeners feeling deeply moved and connected to every tale.

    However, one downside to The Rescued by a Dog podcast is that there may be some repetition in themes or narratives across episodes. While each story is unique in its own right, there might be moments where listeners may find certain elements repetitive or predictable. This could potentially make some episodes feel less impactful or surprising than others.

    In conclusion, The Rescued by a Dog podcast is an absolute must-listen for all dog lovers out there. It celebrates the immeasurable gift that these animals bring into our lives while showcasing their incredible capacity for love, resilience, and loyalty. Laura's storytelling skills combined with the heartwarming narratives make this podcast an absolute delight to listen to, reminding us all of the beauty that exists within the human-canine bond.



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    Latest episodes from Rescued by a Dog

    From the Vault: James is recovering in a sober living home when he meets a pitbull named Blu

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 13:27


    From the Vault: After a devastating landslide, pups Cassie and Alani save an entire town

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 18:52


    From the Vault: After an epic struggle with addiction, Chris finds beauty in life again thanks to rescue pup Vector

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 20:10


    From the Vault: When Ms. Sherry is trapped in the bathroom after a big fall, neighbor's pup Milo comes to the rescue

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 15:11


    From the Vault: When Alexia no longer wants to be in this world, Lucky shows up at her doorstep

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 20:37


    From the Vault: When infant Harper stops breathing, pup Duke comes to the rescue

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 20:23


    In the middle of the night, little infant Harper stopped breathing entirely. The family pup, Duke, knew just what to do. 

    From the Vault: Military dog Layka takes a bullet to save the life of Army Ranger Trent. Then, he saves her.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 27:22


    When military working dog Layka loses a leg while saving the life of her handler, Army Ranger Trent McDonald, he vows to get her home safely. 

    From the vault: When Abby collapses at a parade, a shelter dog drags his handler over to save her. Then she saves him.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 14:20


    At the Christmas parade in 2020, Abby collapsed from an episode of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Picaso, a shelter dog walking in the parade, pulled his handler into the crowd to save her. Then, she saved him. 

    From the vault: Two stories: When Multiple Sclerosis pulls Louise to the ground, pup Moonie pulls her back up. And, when MaryEllen's boyfriend dies from COVID in her arms, pup Enzo helps her find joy again.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 22:48


    From the Vault: Renge Saves The Life Of Dog Trainer Matt Beisner

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 56:05


    In his twenties, before he became a nationally-renowned dog trainer, Matt Beisner was a jobless, self-loathing alcoholic with a rap sheet. And he was scared of dogs. When he went to the shelter one day and unexpectedly adopted a Jindo pup with a rap sheet of his own, Matt's life began to change. As Matt got clean and sober, he and Renge rode out some heartbreaking lows and euphoric highs, and Renge taught Matt how to slow down,  live with kindness, and listen to what a dog's trying to say. Because dogs will tell us everything we need to know about life, if we just pay attention. 

    From the Vault: When stray pup Fred saves a whole platoon in Afghanistan, US Marine Craig knows he has to give Fred a better life

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 47:42


    When pup Fred saves a whole platoon of marines in Afghanistan, Craig knows he has to find a way to get Craig back to the United States. But completing that journey would require a series of impossible miracles... 

    From the vault: During the worst time in his life, Sean saves a blind, beaten dog. Then she saves him

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 26:49


    After a year of unbearable hardships, Sean and his wife Jamie meet a blind, abused dog named Marigold with nowhere to go. They instantly know that Marigold is supposed to be theirs. What they don't know is that Marigold will teach them that life should never be defined by past hardships; especially when the present is so filled with love.

    From the Vault: When Emiko suffers a stroke after losing her child in a custody battle, pup Victoria reminds her that she's an amazing mother

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 39:12


    After a brutal and unfair custody battle, Emiko suffered a serious stroke that left her unable to even travel to visit her child. Emotionally broken, she adopted Victoria - a mangy, diseased shelter dog with behavior issues. Like Emiko, Victoria's pups had been taken from her before she arrived at the shelter. Emiko and Victoria embarked on a beautiful healing journey, mothering each other with care.Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast!

    From the Vault: When Rebecca stops breathing, pup Ulysses figures out how to get help

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 11:34


    When Rebecca stops breathing for two full minutes, pup Ulysses tries repeatedly to rouse her. When that doesn't work, he knows it's up to him to figure out how to get help fast. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast!

    From the vault: When a family home catches fire, rescue pup saves TWELVE lives!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 12:46


    When Angela's family home catches fire with nine children asleep inside, rescue pup Capone knows what to do to make sure everyone gets out alive. 

    From the Vault: After a major surgery, pup Sami tells Cheryl that something has gone terribly wrong

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 14:37


    After a major surgery on her leg, Cheryl is feeling fine, but pup Sami tells her mommy that she needs to get back to the hospital STAT. 

    From the vault: Pup Marley finds a way to tell Julie to go to the doctor IMMEDIATELY

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 23:19


    When Julie's pup Marley starts acting strange, refusing to leave her side, she takes him to the veterinarian - and Marley gets a clean bill of health. So she goes to the doctor to get some blood work done on herself. And that trip to the doctor saves her life. 

    From the Vault: When Jonathan passes out during a snowstorm, pup Evelyn keeps him alive

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 29:23


    When a series of tragedies leaves Jonathan homeless, he and his beloved pup Evelyn spend three winter months sleeping in his tiny car, using the engine to keep themselves warm. One particularly cold night, the engine breaks down, leaving them without heat, and Jonathan decides his life is over and passes out from the cold. But Evelyn refuses to let Jonathan go.Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    From the Vault: Pup Zeda saves her mama Ashley from an abusive relationship

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 22:54


    When Ashley finds herself stuck in an abusive relationship, only the intervention of her pup Zeda could make her walk away. 

    From the Vault: When Danelle falls off a cliff, Taz won't leave her side. Until she tells him to.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 44:10


    Danelle, a professional endurance athlete, was out for a run when she fell off a cliff, plummeting 60 feet to the ground and shattering her pelvis. Unable to drag herself out of the canyon, her pup Taz refused to leave her side. Until she told him to. 

    From the Vault: When a home goes up in flames, only pup Blue can save infant Chantal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 19:45


    When Janet's house goes up in flames, the babysitter gets one child to safety, while the family's pitbull Blue stays behind in the collapsing, smoke-filled house with the youngest daughter. Can Blue save the child's life? 

    From the Vault: When Michael's car crashes into a ravine, he asks his puppy Honey to find help

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 17:49


    When Michael's car crashes 50 feet into a ravine, his legs are pinned and he can't move. The only has for survival is his six-month-old puppy Honey. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    From the Vault: Two Stories: Pitbull Sadie Saves Unhoused Papa; Homer & Trixie Teach Marlene Compassion For Herself

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 25:12


    This episode brings us two heartwarming stories. First: When Wendell suddenly finds him unhoused and living in his van, his pup Sadie attracts blessing after blessing. Then: After a series of devastating losses, Marlene had lost control of her life and fallen into dangerous patterns of addiction and self-loathing. But with patience and dedication, her rescue pups Trixie and Homer--both of whom she had saved from euthanasia lists--taught her how to have compassion for herself. 

    From the Vault: When doctors told Zach Skow that his time was up, pup Marley wouldn't let him die

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024 38:21


    Before Zach Skow devoted himself to his dog rescue organization, Marley's Mutts, he was a committed alcoholic with a rapidly-dying liver, and all the doctors gave him 90 days to live. But Zach's dog Marley refused to accept this diagnosis. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    From the Vault: When Claire faces a grizzly bear, pup Bronwyn comes to the rescue

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 16:16


    On a hike in Alaska, Claire and her teenage daughter encounter a mama grizzly and her cub. When the mama grizzly rears up on her hind legs, pup Bronwyn puts herself between her humans and the bear. 

    Pup Kobe Has to Get Mom Chanell's Attention... Before the House Explodes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 17:35


    When Kobe digs the same hole over and over in the backyard, Chanell just keeps filling it back in. Until she realizes that Kobe is trying to send her a desperate warning... Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Three stories of women whose dogs made them whole

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 22:54


    Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    When teenager Sam becomes homeless, pup Mordex keeps him going

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 21:00


    Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    When Daisy suffers workplace abuse and discrimination, pups Nico and Bella save her soul

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 21:16


    Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Pup Luna tells her dad when he's hallucinating

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 14:51


    Kody lives a comfortable life with schizophrenia thanks to his pup Lucy, who's always able to tell him when he's hallucinating. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    When Kara's addiction lands her in jail, pup Athena leads her to a better life

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 17:11


    In the midst of an abusive relationship, Kara's addiction landed herself in jail. Only her pup Athena could show her the way to a better life. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    When Joe's face is burned off in a car accident, pup Buster doesn't treat him differently

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 14:51


    At only 20 years old, 80% of Joe's body was burned in a serious car accident, and his face was permanently disfigured. At the time, his friends didn't show up for him, but his dog Buster didn't treat him any differently. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    When a mama bear confronts Bailey, pup Zeus knows exactly what to do.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 11:52


    When a mama bear with two cubs confronts Bailey outside her woodsy home, her pup Zeus springs into action. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    When a cabbie drops Roland (who's blind) at the wrong place, pup Dodger guides him home

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 14:07


    In this heartwarming episode, we'll meet Roland, a blind Canadian whose best friend is his guide dog Dodger. When a cabbie drops Roland and Dodger in the wrong neighborhood, in the rain, Dodger calmly guides them home. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    When Ruth's son is struggling, disabled pup Sammy shows the way forward

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 16:10


    When Ruth's son is struggling, and her new dog Sammy suddenly becomes paralyzed, Sammy shows everyone how to persevere.Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    After a devastating lanslide, pups Cassie and Alani save an entire town

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 18:52


    Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    From the Vault: When Jonathan passes out during a snowstorm, pup Evelyn keeps him alive

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 29:23


    When a series of tragedies leaves Jonathan homeless, he and his beloved pup Evelyn spend three winter months sleeping in his tiny car, using the engine to keep themselves warm. One particularly cold night, the engine breaks down, leaving them without heat, and Jonathan decides his life is over and passes out from the cold. But Evelyn refuses to let Jonathan go.

    From the Vault: When Brian has a Stroke, German shepherd Sadie Drags Him To Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 20:37


     In 2021, Brian was home alone with his new rescue German shepherd, Sadie, when he suffered a stroke. He couldn't get up and his phone was across the room. Desperate to help her new papa, Sadie came to the rescue.

    From the vault: On September 11, 2001, pup Roselle guides blind handler Michael out of the Twin Towers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 22:11


    On September 11, 2001, Michael was working on the 78th floor of one of the Twin Towers, with his guide dog Roselle by his side as always. Since Michael is blind, his best friend Roselle constantly acted as his eyes. When the planes hit the Towers, Roselle and Michael had to work as a team to get down 78 flights of stairs and out of the path of danger. 

    From the vault: After a childhood feeding drug-dealers' dogs and working in the darkest shelters, Andre's life is saved by a dog

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 36:51


    Andre grew up hustling for money by caring for the dogs of the drug dealers in his neighborhood, and working in the heartbreaking Quarantine areas of dog shelters. Through the love of three dogs--a shelter Rottweiller, a stray shepherd, and a pitbull puppy, his life is saved. 

    From the vault: Two stories: Pup Cici teaches a bereaved young woman to change the world; & a college student overcomes mental illness thanks to pup Mescal

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 24:04


    Today, we'll hear two moving stories from young women. First, bereaved sister Mags tells the story of how pup Cici showed her brother endless joy and grace as he grappled with mental illness. Now, in his honor, Mags and her family have started an organization, Paws for Patrick, that transforms other people's lives through the love of dogs. Next, Morgan tells us how, with the help of Paws for Patrick, pup Mescal helped her work through a paralyzing fear of leaving her college dorm room. 

    From the vault: After 3 cardiac arrests in 1 night, Drew survives with the help of his superhero rescue pup Lucky

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 23:20


    After surviving three sudden cardiac arrests in one night, Drew's rescue pup Lucky found a way to keep him alive. 

    From the vault: When Abby collapses at a parade, a shelter dog drags his handler over to save her. Then she saves him.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 14:20


    At the Christmas parade in 2020, Abby collapsed from an episode of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Picaso, a shelter dog walking in the parade, pulled his handler into the crowd to save her. Then, she saved him. 

    From the vault: Two stories: When Multiple Sclerosis pulls Louise to the ground, pup Moonie pulls her back up. And, when MaryEllen's boyfriend dies from COVID in her arms, pup Enzo helps her find joy again.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 23:14


    Louise has an infectious love of life. But Multiple Sclerosis has caused her to fall to the ground many times--sometimes when she's out of reach of her cell phone. But with service pup Moonie around, Louise knows she always has a superhero by her side. 

    From the Vault: When infant Harper stops breathing, pup Duke comes to the rescue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 20:23


    In the middle of the night, little infant Harper stopped breathing entirely. The family pup, Duke, knew just what to do. 

    From the Vault: When Emiko suffers a stroke after losing her child in a custody battle, pup Victoria reminds her that she's an amazing mother.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 39:12


    After a brutal and unfair custody battle, Emiko suffered a serious stroke that left her unable to even travel to visit her child. Emotionally broken, she adopted Victoria - a mangy, diseased shelter dog with behavior issues. Like Emiko, Victoria's pups had been taken from her before she arrived at the shelter. Emiko and Victoria embarked on a beautiful healing journey, mothering each other with care.Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    From the Vault: Three stories from men who overcame deep hardship through the love of their dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 28:27


    In this episode, we'll hear three beautiful stories from men who overcame deep hardship and depression through the love of their dogs. 

    From the Vault: When Rebecca stops breathing, pup Ulysses figures out how to get help.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 11:34


    When Rebecca stops breathing for two full minutes, pup Ulysses tries repeatedly to rouse her. When that doesn't work, he knows it's up to him to figure out how to get help fast. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    From the Vault: Kate's hallucinations land her in a psych ward 'til pup Waffle learns to show her what is real

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 32:45


    At 28 years old, Kate's doctors told her that because of her many psychiatric conditions - bipolar disorder, agoraphobia, an eating disorder, and severe hallucination - she could only survive inside a locked psychiatric ward. But then Kate met Waffle, a fluffy Bernese mountain dog who figured out that Kate needed help discerning reality from hallucination. SodapupFun, durable and innovative toys and enrichment products for dogsDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    From the Vault: When Ms. Sherry is trapped in the bathroom after a big fall, neighbor's pup Milo comes to the rescue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 15:11


    In the middle of the night, Ms. Sherry took a tumble in her bathroom, wedging herself between the toilet and the bathtub. Unable to move for many hours, she uttered weak cries of help, uncertain whether anyone outside the house could hear her. From down the street, inside another house, pup Milo came to the rescue. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership!To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    When pup Fred saves a whole platoon in Afghanistan, US Marine Craig knows he has to help Fred find a better life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 47:42


    When pup Fred saves a whole platoon of marines in Afghanistan, Craig knows he has to find a way to get Craig back to the United States. But completing that journey would require a series of impossible miracles... 

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