Every dog that comes to Fast Friends has a story to tell. YOU are part of that story — the most important part, because you provide the happy ending. But what does it really mean to “change a dog’s life”?

Every day, in our social feeds and on the news, we hear sad stories. We see dogs that have been abandoned and abused, overbred and unloved. These stories tug at our hearts and make us want to show these dogs that not all humans are bad, that some of us treasure our canine companions.

Many of the dogs at Fast Friends have stories that are just as tragic. Your support earlier this year brought Rolo to Fast Friends from China. Rolo is a meat trade survivor who was rescued before being killed, but he spent so long in an undersized cage that his back legs didn’t develop properly. He will never walk or run like a Greyhound should. At only six and a half years old, Rolo has already lost almost all his teeth from bad food and worse care.

But Rolo’s spirit isn’t broken. He loves and trusts the staff and shows us his silly, playful side. The first time his feet touched grass — yes, after six and a half years of living on concrete — he jumped and frolicked like a puppy.

THIS is what it means to change a life. It is more than just rescuing a dog in need. Changing a life means helping every dog grow and blossom into their very best selves.

Most of the dogs at Fast Friends have never experienced the hardship that Rolo and his fellow meat trade survivors have. Retired racers in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland come to us from partner groups who truly love them. But being cared for in a kennel is not the same as being a family member in a home. Your support gives these dogs the family life they deserve, a chance they wouldn’t have had without you.

Your support is life-changing through every chapter of these dogs’ stories, because their trip to Fast Friends is just the beginning.

Earlier this year, we shared Libby’s story. She was a retired racer who had a sudden and unexpected spinal stroke that left her paralyzed and unable to breathe on her own. Because of your support, we were able to give Libby the intensive treatment necessary to save her life. You’ll be happy to know that she is happy and loved, adopted by one of the vets who treated her that day!

Medical needs are a part of most dogs’ stories. From small issues like the daily eyedrops Catan needs to control his pannus to major crises like Peach’s hospitalization for meningitis, your support means none ever will suffer or go without care.

Occasionally, one of our dogs’ stories has a twist and they end up back at Fast Friends. Verdi returned to us this summer after several years in a home after displaying behaviors his adopter didn’t feel equipped to handle. Staff worked with him to understand what was going on, and we searched for an experienced adopter who could continue to help him. It didn’t take long to find just the right person, someone who was even willing to bring a second Greyhound home to help Verdi overcome his fears!

All these stories, from the dramatic to the mundane, have happy endings because of you and your support of Fast Friends. We believe that THIS is what it means to change a life. It is more than just bringing a dog to Fast Friends. Changing a life is also everything that comes after that: growing trust, navigating medical challenges, working through behavioral issues, loving, caring, and finding the right home.

Dogs around the world are waiting for the next chapter of their stories to begin. A very special friend of the dogs is offering to match donations to Fast Friends this holiday, so your gift will go twice as far. Please make a gift today and change their lives.

Make your gift today using the form below and change a life!

If you’d prefer, you can also make your gift

– through PayPal
– through Venmo (@fastfriends in the app)
– by calling 603-355-1556 with your credit card
– by sending a check or money order to:
Fast Friends, PO Box 10093, Swanzey, NH 03446

Help even more dogs

You can make an even bigger difference by becoming a Hero — your monthly sponsorship of one of the adoptable dogs helps provide for their care until they find their home.