Hundreds of families in Minnesota and beyond are benefiting from Henderson's irresponsible pet owners and others who can no longer care for their dogs.

Katie Adams of Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of Minnesota, which is a nonprofit no-kill rescue and placement organization that has placed more than 10,000 animals in its 14 years of existence, said the dogs her group gets from Kentucky are usually adopted within the first few weeks of arrival.

Among the more recent "success stories" involving former Henderson dogs is Dottie, a sight-impaired beagle.

"We wondered who would want an eyeless senior beagle, but she had too much spirit left to euthanize her," Adams said.

"Dottie was a heart stealer! She actually won over someone in Canada who had had a vision impairment growing up, and this woman flew to meet Dottie, fell in love and rented a private plane to fly her home," Adams added

Then there was Pirate, a black Lab mix, "with an injured eye, and he sat in the shelter for six months there ... thanks be to the shelter staff who kept him alive until he was brought to our attention! Pirate was adopted out after a month with us and we have heard he is adored."

Another Henderson dog, Maggie, a border terrier, and her pups have all been adopted, Adams said, "and Maggie will be spending winters in Puerto Rico ... what a life!"

Still another Henderson mom and pups, Suzie and her puppies, "were adopted very quickly. Suzie had severe heartworm that was treated. I think her puppies were adopted within two weeks and Suzie three weeks."

Linda Lukkasson of Maple Grove, Minn., whose family adopted a former Henderson beagle named Caly, said she's thankful that groups such as Homeward Bound exist.

"They work tirelessly to find homes for the animals and to give them the best of care. I think no-kill animal groups are doing such a wonderful job," Lukkasson said. "The dogs deserve to live in a home with a family that will love them and care for them."

The Minnesota woman said she has no regrets about adopting Caly.

"Absolutely yes we would adopt a rescue dog again," Lukkasson said. "Rescue dogs are so loving and appreciate all the attention and love you give to them - it comes back to us many times over.

"We feel bad that Caly had a bad start to her life but are thankful that someone at the Henderson shelter ... cared enough to drive her, and other dogs, up to Minnesota so that Homeward Bound could find homes for them."

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