Things we can’t resist: a heartwarming makeover, an adorable pup and do-gooders making creative and brilliant things happen. The stories behind these rescued dogs combine all three!

We called upon some inspiring people and organizations to help us gather a list of the cutest canines both before and after they were brought home by caring (and lucky!) families. We suggest keeping the tissues nearby…

Annie

Annie was scheduled to be euthanized at the Downey Animal Shelter after her previous owners left her there in terrible shape.

California-based Chews Life Dog Rescue stepped in, giving her a new life for nearly two years before she was adopted by a family in Marina Del Rey.

Now, this lucky pup is all smiled as she goes for strolls on the beach and plays fetch.

Matilda

Matilda was supposedly used for breeding and fighting before being sold on Craigslist along with her five puppies.

She (and her babies) were saved by Chews Life but unlike her pups, it took Matilda over a year to be adopted.

She has since lost an eye to glaucoma but that doesn’t stop her from happily cuddling with her adopter and playing with her stuffed toys.

Nealy

Nealy, a.k.a. Boo, was saved by Florida-based CARES Rescue discovered in the street near one of the group’s meet and greet events. A lot of grooming and some TLC turned her into a whole new pup. Now she is living the sweet life in Tampa, Florida.

Lincoln

Lincoln, another CARES rescue, was homeless, hungry and infested with fleas and ticks before he was adopted into his forever home.

He’s found happiness in a daily routine of chasing squirrels, getting belly rubs and snack time at his grandma and grandpa’s house.

He also can’t get enough of his fave Christmas gift, a dog toy named “Birdie.”

Eliza

Eliza was found in Austin when she was four years old with matted fur so severe that she had to be sedated when the groomers shaved it all away.

Thanks to the Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin/San Antonio, nearly three pounds of debris and fur was removed from her ears but infections caused by all the debris left her deaf.

Eliza was adopted by an Austin-based attorney who has been taking her on long walks and training her with sign language.

Guppy

Thorse Dog Rescue saved Guppy’s life from a kill shelter after he was found blind and wandering the streets in Florida. He was believed to be about 15 years old at the time but Sheridan and Bryan Thorse Pierard refused to give up on their Guppy.

Slowly but surely, he started making progress. These days Guppy can eat on his own and loves relaxing in his mom’s arms as she sings and rocks him back and forth. His rescuers want to stress the importance of caring for older animals who are often overlooked for adoption.

Cookie

When Cookie was surrendered to Hamilton Animal Control in Ontario, she had a skin infection and was severely malnourished.

Vets believe she was a puppy mill dog who had several litters before she was taken in by the Ladybird Animal Sanctuary. Her parents call her a “foster fail” because they couldn’t bear to give her up after so many sleepless nights spent comforting her.

She continues to make strides every day while enjoying life with her stepbrother, Benjamin Franklin.

Blueberry

Hearts United for Animals rescued Blueberry after he spent six years in a puppy mill. He was living in South Dakota where he lost all of his teeth and suffered brain damage from seizures.

Rather than dwell on the negative, his forever family says that his brain damage has actually made him a happier dog because he’s usually oblivious to things happening around him but never the love that he receives.

Cotton

Cotton is another example of a “foster fail.” She was saved from a kill shelter with less than an hour before she was scheduled to be put down. She was starving, pregnant, had heartworm and was covered with fleas.

Cotton welcomed seven puppies within a day of being rescued by Halfway There. Her family says her laid back attitude is the reason they fell in love with her. Once she was healthy enough to be adopted herself, she had already found the perfect place.

Wally

This sweet pup was found tied to a foreclosed home suffering from mange and fleas. He was initially taken in as a foster at around three years old but as his human explained, “It became clear in a matter of days that Wally was already home.” Wally is now around six and loves to travel and post about his adventures on Instagram.

Zoey

Edison Animal Shelter in New Jersey found Zoey on the street when she was eight months old. She had a skin infection, open wounds and was missing some hair.

Rescue City saved her before she caught a bad case of pneumonia which kept her hospitalized for a week. It was during this hospitalization that a Rescue City volunteer decided that Zoey’s forever home was with her.

Taj

Taj’s rescuer saved him from a home where he was given marijuana and methamphetamine. She fostered him briefly and nursed him back to health while connecting him with his forever parents. Taj has recovered and grown into a loving companion who still excitedly greets the woman who saved his life whenever he sees her on his walks.

Stanley

Stanley’s human fell in love with him through a post on Petfinder.com. He was rescued from a physically abusive breeder in Kentucky who kept him in a small cage without food. When Stanley finally met his owner, he slept on her lap for the entire car ride to his forever home and hasn’t left her side since.

Skylah

Skylah was saved by New York-based Rescue City from under a boardwalk in Brooklyn right before a big snowstorm in 2016. Vets suspected she was bred for her puppies and then abandoned. Now she is spoiled with love and attention from her family and dog siblings.