Cookies Canine Animal Rescue and Sanctuary was started after seeing such a desperate need to help provide aid to the defenseless animals that were being discarded, abused, neglected and abandoned in Alabama in 2016.

This particular day, it was the middle of winter and a nasty ice storm in rural Alabama, and 14 miles down the road a poor dog was seen on the side of the highway struggling and then it collapsed.

Everything was cold and frozen, including him.

After pulling to the side of the highway and as attempts were made to get him he was so scared and flight mode kicked in and he bolted off into the woods.

The mission was set after acquiring a coffee can and putting food in it, bowls, water, first aid, and blankets with determination he was destined to be found.

He was seen!

Again pulling to the side of the highway, put down food and fresh water, a blanket was laid under a tree with hopes he would bed down safely for the night.

Spoke calmly but loud enough for him to hear and he observed from a distance.

Reluctantly, he was left for the night.

The next morning, replenished with food and fresh water, the mission continued to find the Lemon Hound.

And there he was, in the same spot, laying on the blanket. The food was gone. The water was frozen.

Approaching the area, he again bolted into the woods and observed from a distance.

Picking up the blanket and bowls, the decision was made to slowly drive down the road, with the window down, shaking the can with the dog food in hopes he would follow.

HE DID!

Driving to another area, it was prepared with straw, a blanket, food and fresh water for him to bed down.

This dog wanted to live. This dog wanted to trust. He just did not know how too.

It was decided his name was to be “Chance”.

As Chasing Chance progressed, the mission was repeated for weeks.

The Holidays approached—he got Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, New Year’s Day dinner…

He was smart. Setting a trap did not work. Establishing a large containment area did not work. The farther down the road he went, the colder it got and the closer he would lay next to the highway for warmth.

The mission progressed and the help of other dogs was utilized. One in particular was Sunshine.

Finally on about week 4, he was about a mile and a half from complete refuge.

He was bed down good. He was use to the can with dog food being shook.

In the mornings he would chase down the highway. He needed to be as close as possible so he could watch from that point to where he was being led.

Almost there...

Following the routine but did not feed him breakfast this particular morning. Shook the can with dog food in hopes that he would follow.

A section of the road went to a “Y”. He needed to come to the left.

Parking where he could see, walked Sunshine down through the woods.

Everything happened so fast. Looking back on that day still brings tears. As Sunshine was walked back to the kennel guess who was following behind???

CHANCE!!!

Immediately bursting into tears and falling to the ground, he jumped into the safety of the arms of the one who loved him the most, as if he was telling all of his stories and saying “Thank you!”.

This dog was a Beautiful Boy!!!

He became the ambassador and greeted everyone who came in with open paws 🐾

As the rescue has grown, forces were joined with some amazing people who have a desire to save Russell County dogs and members of the Cookies Crew. They have wonderful Northern adopters and that is when Chance left.

He has an amazing family in Connecticut with a fur sibling too.

Saving dogs like Chance gives us purpose and meaning even though the goodbyes are so hard.