This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

My fiance had recently lost her dog, Nikki, who I loved and cared for like a daughter; she was a rescue who had been abused in every way possible. Nikki was hit by a car when my fiance and I were out. We were devastated. We only had her for three months, and she was three years old.

We still mourn and have breakdowns about her to this day. However, just a short week after, I saw an ad on Kijiji for a 7 year old Australian Shepherd/Collie mix; he was free. I contacted the owner, and they immediately set up a time to meet me.

I met him on a Tuesday in September. It was a day I will never forget. He looked terrible, underweight, clumps of hair clipped out everywhere, and his teeth were yellow stained, but he was still energetic. I took him that day and asked the owner for all his vet files, but they never responded and I never heard from them again, not even now.

Buddy had surgery to remove a tooth that had grown into his jaw this January, and just October 29, he had a pacemaker put in. His heart was only beating 20-42 bpm. We had to wait a week for the surgery, but they told us he could pass at any moment from heart failure. My mom and I were devastated. We cried and held onto each other.

The surgery cost $4,000, but now he is healthy again, and the pacemaker beats 98% of the time for him. He will go when he needs to go now.

I realized the owners knew that Buddy was costly, so they gave him away for free. I am glad they did. He wouldn't have lived another month if we didn't do the surgery, and if he was with them, he would be dead. I am happy I got Buddy. He hasn't ever been this happy. I will never regret bringing him home to the family.

Story submitted by Jensen Black from Orangeville, Canada.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!