Hank is a one-year-old Lab mix, about 60 pounds, with a goofy smile, a smart mind, and so much love to give. He’s sweet, playful, and ready to find a family of his own.

Hank was abandoned as a tiny puppy and spent his puppyhood at the McDowell County shelter. When a space opened at Rusty’s Legacy, we brought him into rescue. He’s safe now, but he has never known the comforts of a home or the joy of having a family of his own. 

He’s spent his life in a kennel, without the chance to play, learn new things, get head scratches and belly rubs, cuddle on the couch, or curl up in a warm bed.

Hank has plenty of puppy energy right now and is ready to make up for all the fun he missed. 

He’s smart and eager to learn, and once he realizes he’s home and learns what it means to be someone’s dog, we think he’ll settle into a medium-energy companion. With patience, affection, and guidance, Hank has all the makings of a wonderful Lab mix: a loyal hiking buddy, a playful family dog, or your new best friend.

• Age: 1 year old
• Breed: Lab mix
• Weight: About 60 pounds
• Personality: Sweet, loving, goofy, and smart
• Energy: Puppy energy now; we think he’ll mature into a medium-energy dog as he settles in
• Dogs: Gets along with other dogs
• Cats: Passed his cat test
• Kids: We think he’d enjoy a home with children to play with and love
• Home life: Has spent his life in a kennel and will need help learning the routines of a home
• Looking for: A foster-to-adopt home ready to help Hank begin his next chapter

Hank just wants a family to love and care for him. Could you be the one to show him what it feels like to belong? ❤️

Jack may weigh around 50 pounds, but underneath that big, playful exterior is a complete baby who wants nothing more than to be close to someone and know that he is loved.

One of our volunteers recently took Jack out for a walk. He was so excited that he could hardly contain himself—he was jumping up and down, thrilled that someone had come just for him. And honestly, who could blame him? Jack spends every day waiting in a 10-by-10 kennel for the next chance to get out, stretch his legs and receive a little attention.

But when she took him into the exercise yard, Jack didn’t immediately run around or demand a game. He sat beside her, laid his big head on her shoulder and soaked up every bit of affection she gave him. She petted him, talked sweetly to him and even sang to him. For 15 minutes, Jack stayed right there with his head resting on her shoulder.

That is who Jack really is.

Yes, he is goofy. Yes, he gets excited and sometimes forgets that he is not a tiny puppy. He loves playing ball, going for walks and having room to run. But more than anything, Jack wants to belong to someone.

Jack was found abandoned near Lake James with two other young dogs, Janet and Chrissy. We don’t know how long they had been out there or what they went through before animal control found them. They were still puppies, relying on one another for safety and wondering when they might eat again.

Both girls eventually left for foster homes. Jack was left behind.

Despite everything, Jack still trusts people completely. He is outgoing, social, affectionate and always ready to make a new friend. He hasn’t allowed his past to change the way he feels about people—and that says everything about the kind of dog he is.

Jack has never had a real home, a family of his own or a toy that belonged only to him. He has spent the months when he should have been growing up in a home watching life from inside a kennel. Our hearts are breaking for this boy because we know how much love he has to give.

Jack is house trained, walks well on a leash and gets along with other dogs. He would do well with children and would be thrilled to have a playful canine friend. Because he is still a young dog, his adopter should expect occasional enthusiastic jumps, goofy zoomies and plenty of playful puppy behavior. An active home with a securely fenced yard would be ideal. No cats, please.

Breed: Pit Bull mix
Age: Approximately 1 to 1 1/2 Years Old
Weight: Approximately 50 pounds
Energy level: Medium, with bursts of puppy energy
House trained: Yes
Leash trained: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes
Good with children: Yes
Cat friendly: No
Ideal home: An active, loving home with a fenced yard or daily walks. He could be an only dog getting all the love, or he would do well with another playful dog

Jack is neutered, fully vaccinated and ready to go home.

He isn’t asking for anything extraordinary. He wants a soft place to sleep, toys of his own, someone to play ball with and a person whose shoulder will always be there when he needs to rest his head.

Jack has spent long enough waiting inside a kennel.

It is finally his turn to be chosen, to discover what home feels like and to become someone’s beloved big baby.

Honey is a beautiful six-month-old Black Mouth Cur/Shepherd mix who is expected to weigh approximately 60–80 pounds when fully grown. She is loving, intelligent, dog friendly, cat friendly and ready to become someone’s very special girl. And she's still a 6 month old baby!

• Age: Seven months
• Breed: Black Mouth Cur/Shepherd mix
• Expected adult weight: Approximately 60–80 pounds
• Personality: Loving, intelligent, affectionate and sweet
• Dogs: Dog friendly
• Cats: Cat friendly
• Children: Because loud noises and fast movements make her a little nervous, she's do best in a home with older children 
• Leash skills: Leash trained and walks nicely
• Training: Learning good manners and not to jump for attention
• Ideal home: A loving family, preferably with a playful, well-matched canine companion
• Health: Spayed and fully vaccinated and healthy 

Honey has been with us since she was a little pup, and she wants nothing more than affection, attention and a family of her own. She can be a little clingy, but only because she is always hoping for another hug, a few more pets or the chance to stay close to her person.

This smart puppy is making wonderful progress with her manners. She is learning not to jump up when she wants attention, and she is already leash trained. She walks very nicely—unless she decides it is time to stop for pets! Honey apparently believes every walk should include plenty of affection breaks.

We believe Honey experienced unkind treatment when she was very young. Sudden hand movements and clapping once caused her to flinch, close her eyes, tuck her tail and lie down. With patience, reassurance and kindness, she is becoming more confident and learning that she is finally safe. Because of her uncertain past, she may be a little hesitant at first, so she would do best with older children who can give her the time and space she needs to feel comfortable.

Honey loves other dogs and would do wonderfully in a home with a playful, well-matched canine companion. She can be enthusiastic during play, so another dog who enjoys her puppy energy would be ideal. She is also cat friendly and would be a great match for a family with older children.

Honey has already spent far too much of her puppyhood waiting at the rescue. She should be growing up in a home—going on walks, playing with her family, snuggling beside her people and learning what it means to truly belong.

Honey is loving, smart, sweet and absolutely beautiful. She deserves to know love, too.

Honey is spayed, fully vaccinated and ready for a family of her own.

Could this dreamy girl be the one you’ve been waiting for?

Age: 10 years

Weight: Approximately 50 lbs

Breed: Mixed Breed

House Trained: Yes

Leash Trained: Walks on leash but needs additional leash training (she can pull when excited)

Dog Friendly: Selective. Kaya would do best as the only dog or with careful introductions.

Cat Friendly: No

Energy Level: Low to Moderate

Ideal Home: A calm, adult home with someone who understands senior dogs and is willing to continue working on her leash manners.

Kaya never expected to be looking for a new home at 10 years old.

She spent her entire life with the man who loved her. When he passed away, Kaya lost the only home she had ever known. She entered rescue with her lifelong companion, Achilles, and the two were adopted together.

Sadly, after just one month, Kaya was returned.

Now this sweet senior girl is once again searching for someone to love her forever.

Kaya is affectionate, loyal, and happiest simply being near her people. She's well past the puppy stage and would much rather spend her days lounging on a comfy bed, soaking up attention, and enjoying a peaceful home than running marathons.

Like many larger dogs, Kaya can pull on the leash when she's excited, so she'll need someone willing to continue working with her. The good news is that leash skills can be improved with consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement—and we're committed to helping her succeed.

Because of her personality, Kaya would do best in a home without cats. She can also be selective with other dogs, so we believe she'd thrive as the only pet or with an experienced adopter who can make careful introductions.

Kaya has already experienced more loss than any dog should.

She deserves a family who understands that senior dogs still have so much love to give—and who will promise that this time, forever really means forever.

If you're looking for a loyal companion to share quiet evenings, leisurely walks, and unconditional love, Kaya may be the missing piece of your family.