This story was submitted as part of the Fur-tastic Scrapbook contest. Winners will receive $500, plus $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite rescue. You can vote for your favorite finalist through August 1 here!

I rescued Jasmine from an Arizona shelter in 2006. She was very sick with a mystery illness, and I basically brought her home so she wouldn't die in the shelter.

DOG. PHOTO: PIXABAY / ANGIE JOHNSTON

Once there, I saw she really wanted to live, so my vet and I spent the next six months with diagnostics, transfusions to keep her strength, and work with various labs around the country. Several times, I had her in the car to take her to my animal hospital to end her suffering, but she showed me she wanted to continue the fight. Finally, she was diagnosed with a rare form of babesia, which I have found is quite common now in pitties. Then, it was a new condition.

She was treated and immediately got new-found vitality. She had a long, full life for 15 more years, and she only succumbed to bone cancer in March. Truly a miracle girl!

PHOTO: CHRISTINE E PITCHER

Story submitted by Christine E Pitcher in support of Mackenzie's Animal Sanctuary. Vote for your favorite Fur-tastic Scrapbook story here!