This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!
My Rescue Story: Panda & Bella
I rescued Panda in 2008, and from that moment on, she was my baby.
We went through everything together — moves, marriage, divorce, and life’s ups and downs. Through every season, Panda was my constant. She wasn’t just my dog; she was my heart.
Christine Bennett
In 2024, I had to say goodbye to her. The grief was overwhelming. After six months of mourning, I decided to channel my heartbreak into something meaningful. I threw myself into rescue work — fostering and volunteering at a local shelter — hoping to give other dogs the love I had given Panda.
Then, in March 2025, almost to the exact day Panda had passed, something extraordinary happened.
During one of my volunteer shifts, in the middle of the barking and stress of shelter life, I saw the happiest puppy I had ever seen. While chaos surrounded her, she sat quietly in her crate, tail wagging, radiating pure joy.
I took her home that day.
Christine Bennett
Bella has been healing my heart ever since.
Panda led me down the path of positive, force-free dog training — a journey that became so meaningful that I earned my certification in 2019. Now, I’m using those same skills with Bella, continuing the legacy Panda unknowingly started.
Both Panda and Bella are rescue stories.
One changed my life.
The other helped rebuild it.
And I am forever grateful to them both.
Story submitted by Christine Bennett
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!
