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!

As soon as my husband and I signed the deed to purchase our house in Massachusetts, I began looking for a dog to make it a proper home.

As I scrolled through pages of adoptable dogs, one in particular caught my eye.

Captain was a three year old tan shepherd/husky mix who was missing his left front leg. He had been rescued by an organization in Mississippi and had been waiting to be adopted for nearly a year and a half.

I spoke with a wonderful lady who told me Captain’s story: He had been found with most of his leg torn off and was taken in by animal control, who guessed that he had gotten caught in a hunting trap or hit by a car. While animal control would have normally euthanized a dog who was missing a leg, he was so friendly that they called a rescue group instead.

The group took Captain to the vet, where the rest of his leg was amputated and he was given a clean bill of health. However, as no one seemed to want him, the group thought Captain would just live at their shelter forever.

I had grown up living next door to a tripod dog and knew how amazing these special dogs can be, so I was more than happy to adopt Captain. A local group helped transport him to New England, and he has been a well-loved member of my family for over two years.

Captain had to get x-rays once for a medical test, and it was revealed that he has buckshot pellets throughout his back and neck. He definitely went through some kind trauma in the past, but you wouldn’t know it now — everyone who meets him says how friendly he is, and he just loves to play ball, go for walks, roll in the snow, snuggle, and lounge around on one of his many beds. We even bought him a set of doggie wheels to use when he gets tired.

Story submitted by Jen W from West Boylston, Massachusetts.

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