Adopt-A-Stray

We are a few dedicated individuals who have formed Adopt-A-Stray in order to save many adoptable pets that would otherwise be euthanized in the shelters in our area. We routinely pull dogs and cats from the euthanasia list, as well as take in strays and owner surrenders as space allows.

Alexander, AR,72002
Get directions

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.adoptastrayrescue.org

Kennedy

Labrador Retriever | Pine Bluff, AR

AdultFemaleMedium

About

Vaccination

Current

House Trained

Yes

Good in Home With

Others DogsChildren

Meet Kennedy

Kennedy Sweet Kennedy. Where do I even begin to tell her story? I guess I'll start at the beginning. On Nov. 24th I got a call from our local emergency vet hospital. It was a very traumatic, sad story. The police had received a call from someone who said their neighbor had just shot his dog. The police went to the address and found Kennedy lying in a pool of blood but still alive. Of course, her owner denied that he was the one to pull the trigger, but we all know the truth. The police forced him to take her to the ER for care, and they followed him there to make sure. He brought Kennedy in and demanded that she be euthanized and cremated immediately. We believe he did that because he thought if she were cremated, charges couldn't be brought against him. The vet on duty refused and the owner stormed out. The vet called us once the owner left and asked if we could commit to her. Of course we did. Her name, Kennedy, is in honor of one of the sweet staff members at that ER who had passed shortly before. Like our Kennedy, she lived a life of love and I know she would be thrilled for this sweet girl to carry her name. Kennedy suffered 2 gunshot wounds. 1 to her head and 1 to her thigh. The head shot shattered her jaw and left her unable to eat or drink. By some crazy miracle, or perhaps just out of sheer love and determination, she was still trying to give everyone kisses, despite her dangling jaw. Her tail was still wagging with every kindness shown to her. She had to endure many surgeries. Months of not being able to eat anything and getting all nutrition thru liquids. Months of having a bracket on her jaw to keep it stable while her bones healed. Months of wearing a cone of shame. The gsw to her thigh left no permanent damage, thankfully. Unfortunately, the bullets could not be recovered, and since the owner denied his part in this horrific crime, we were unable to prosecute. But we know. The neighbors heard him yelling at her just before the gunshots. His wife had left him, taking the kids with her, a few days before, and apparently, he had been on quite the rampage. We are glad the wife and kids weren't there, or it may have been one of them. And now here we are. It's almost March, and this little lady is finally ready for a home of her own! The last few photos were before her bracket was removed, the rest are current. She is a young, petite pup of about 1 1/2 years old, and about 25-30 lbs. She is now able to eat whatever she wants, and she is a normal, happy dog. She loves literally everyone she meets. I have no doubt that if she saw her previous owner now, she would still love him as much as she did when he pulled the trigger and tried to end her life. Because that's how she is. Loyal. Loving. Forgiving. All the things we wish humans could be. Kennedy is house trained (still has an occasional accident but does good for the most part) and she is crate trained. She loves the other dog in her foster home, as you can see in some of the photos. She uses him as her own personal rug and likes to lay on top of him. She loves every dog she encounters - big, small, young, old, and everything in between. She would do best in a home with another dog who is sweet and loving like her. She is young and still very playful. She would be a great choice for a family with kids. Her tongue does stick out sometimes because she lost quite a bit of her jaw with all of the surgeries. It was shattered, so a lot of the bone was missing. But it mostly just looks like she has an overbite. She can be a little sloppy when she eats, but she tries hard to stay tidy. In her foster home, she is fed in her crate, to cut down on the mess, and that works well. I can't think of a sweeter, kinder, more loving dog than Kennedy. We really hope to find her a permanent home where she will never be yelled at or abused again. She does tend to be very sensitive and gets her feelings hurt if she is yelled at. She will run and hide from you if she thinks you are yelling at her. This was discovered when her foster mom was yelling at someone else, and Kennedly wrongly perceived this as anger towards her. Im sure she remembers being yelled at before she was shot, and it only makes sense that she has some left over trauma. Of course her foster mama would never yell at her or hurt her in any way. She deserves so much better than she was given hy her previous owner. Please share her post often, until she is adopted. She is in Arkansas but we transport to the northeast weekly. We want to thank everyone who had a part in her recovery- our supporters who prayed for her and donated to her care, Bryant Police Department, Outwest Urgent Care, Jacksonville Animal Hospital, Dr. Lee Misak, Polly Shore, and most especially, her absolutely amazing foster mom, Shelbi Mccarty, who has fostered her since she was released from the hospital, taken her back n forth to countless vet appts, and has just done a million things to make her recovery possible and successful. Located in Arkansas, but transport is available. Adopter must be able to pick up or arrange for someone to pick up for them at one of the following times/locations. Harrisburg, PA 2am FridaysPort Jervis, NY 5am Fridays orSouthington, CT 8am Fridays East Hartford, CT 11am Fridays If you would like to adopt Kennedy, apply here: https://form.jotform.com/212690945239059 email [email protected] with any questions.

Adoption Process
Application, contract, fee varies, depending on the pet being adopted. Personal and Veterinary references required.

Look for other dogs for adoption!

Helping You Be the Best Pet Parent You Can Be

Check out our blog!
How Can Dogs Sense What Is Going To Happen To Their Owner?
T.G.I.F! It’s finally time for a doggy date night at home! You cuddle with your dog while watching a movie. You were having a good time until your dog licks and paws at a spot on your head... Read More
02 DEC
For a Paw-some Fourth of July: 5 Pet Health and Safety Tips
Introduction: As the Fourth of July approaches, it’s crucial for pet parents to be mindful of the potential risks and challenges that this festive holiday can pose for their furry companions.... Read More
23 JUN
What?! Dachshunds Help Humans Live Longer?!
How To Live Longer? You Have To Eat Healthy Food, Get Enough Rest, Avoid Bodily Harm, Exercise, And Yes, Get A Dachshund! Wait, did you say, get a dachshund? Yes, you read that... Read More
21 APR