The thing that gets to me the most about some of the rescue stories that I've heard is the level of cruelty that still happens out there in the world. I suppose that's a large part of why my support of animal rescue organizations is financial - I don't think I could emotionally handle what some of those critters have been through before passing through their doors.

When I read the story of little Cupcake's home before she found herself in the caring arms of the folks at Second Chance Animal Refuge Society, - one of our ten Donate4Dachshund shelters - I just couldn't bring myself to post it. All you need to know is that she was very lucky and that some of the other animals involved weren't. I'll let Maureen, owner of this wonderful haven for rescued pets, take it from here:

Several years ago I received a phone call from a woman who had been given my name. She was desperate. Her spouse was abusive to her and her three dogs so she was moving out and could only keep one. The two she had but could not keep were a dachshund and a maltese mix. I met her in a parking lot, saw all three dogs and took the two homeless ones.

The first person I thought of was an older woman in the country whose favourite dogs were dachshunds. I drove over with the two little guys and she fell in love. She felt it was unfair to separate the two since they were bonded and somewhat afraid so she kept them both. She named the doxie Cupcake and her buddy Toby.

It is clear that the home they were in was not safe and when I see those two, I am so thankful they are safe in their forever home.

Thanks to SCARS, Cupcake was spayed and has come out of her shell at her new home on 25 acres in the country with horses, chickens, other dogs and - of course - her pal Toby.