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Every friendship has a story. Most of us remember the moment we met our best friend or significant other like it happened yesterday. Pets are no exception. They bring so much joy and fulfillment to our lives, it’s impossible to forget the day your heart told you that this tiny cold nose, long whiskers, or wagging tail was something you'd always needed.

And to celebrate the beautiful life with our four-legged friends, pet owners are now participating in a viral #ThenAndNowChallenge on Facebook which shows side-by-side images on the day they met vs. today.

Genuine smiles and all-telling eyes are enough to speak thousands of words about the precious bond humans share with animals. It’s impawsible not to notice how fast time flies in photos, but some things, they do stay forever.

#1

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Left for dead in a drainage ditch he was picked up by the emergency SPCA ambulance. They think he was living on the streets and attacked by a pack of dogs. He required lots of stitches to patch him up. When I adopted him and took him home, he smelled like sewage and I couldn’t bathe him for more than a week because of all of his stitches. Every day I picked a new spot and tried to clean his fur with baby wipes and brush him ever so gently. What a good boy he was ( and is ). He craved human kindness and touch. And he learned to trust his fur siblings. He’s such a happy boy now!! Look at that smile. 😊. Apollo you are Soooo loved.

Tricia Jansen Report

Bored Panda reached out to Melissa Cohen, who has been fostering puppies for Pitties & Purrs Rescue in Baltimore, MD and helped to save and treat many pets with difficult medical conditions and injuries.

“Arya [the dog in the photo above] definitely motivated us to focus on medical fosters—the dogs who need extra time and care. For instance, our current foster dog’s injuries were so horrific, I couldn’t show her on that page. It’s against the rules.”

Melissa said that Arya became the main inspiration for fostering the most difficult medical cases in pets. “Before we took Arya, my husband and I fostered puppies who just needed basic care before they could be adopted.”

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#2

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Faelen the day I brought him home at 5 weeks versus now at 1.5 years.
Faelen is an upper mid content Wolfdog. He’s mostly wolf with malamute and German Shepherd. Wolfdogs are beautiful but not a good fit for the average owner. They are high maintence companion animals, more like kids than pets in their intensity of needs in many ways. Real wolfdogs are not protective, not good family dogs, and often not good with small animals/small dogs. Higher content ones like Faelen are especially intense in behavior and needs.

Moira Schein Report

#3

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Last year, we started fostering healthy little puppies. We were between fosters when we were asked to take in a puppy with severe mange just for a few days. One day later, I was rushing her to the veterinary ER. Her little body was shutting down. I handed this sick little girl over to the vet tech, thinking I’d never see her again.
Arya was hospitalized for five days. In that time, my husband and I became emotionally invested in her and asked to keep fostering her through her recovery. When we picked her up from the ER, I expected a sick puppy, but they handed me this wriggly, happy girl. The picture on the right was just five weeks later. She was with us for four months in total, and now she has a wonderful forever family who sends us tons of updates.
Our little warrior princess inspired us to keep fostering medical cases. We’ve since fostered Dallas with a heart condition (adopted), Frankie with genetic deformities (adopted), and Carroll with severe burns (still with us in foster).
What Arya taught me is that there’s beauty in the not-so picture perfect. 💜

Melissa Cohen Report

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#4

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Everyone in rescue will tell you it’s hard. Not enough money, fosters or time to save them all, but every once in a while a picture hits your inbox that gut punches you and all your well made plans go out the window. That was the case of Thor. I cried when I saw his picture. He’d given up. The shelter didn’t care, they didn’t even assign him a cute name, just a number. He wasn’t given the 3 day stray hold, pull him today or he dies in the morning. So I moved a couple of mountains and that’s exactly what we did. He came to me 30lbs underweight, open sores everywhere, heartworm positive, and a mouth full of rotten teeth. I didn’t care. I was on a mission to make his senior years the best he ever had. And that’s exactly what happened. He lived another two years a smiling happy boy and at the end, I was with him to say goodbye. My soft spot for seniors holds a promise that they never cross that bridge alone. I miss my old man, he was a very good boy 💔😭
Edit*
This post blew up so fast. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving him as much as I do ❤️
I also want to thank all my rescue sisters and brothers who are in the trenches daily doing this. You are warriors that we need in the world. You bring so much light and love to a dark world. Thank you doesn’t seem to cover it, but you are loved for what you do.
And thanks to all who have adopted, fostered, given care in a shelter, you are an amazing human being!!!

Karen Stephens Report

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IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are an angel . All senior dogs should be given a second chance like this. They are WAAAAAAY more than just a number. They are just as capable of being loving and loyal like any other dog.

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Melissa said that Arya had to be hospitalized for 5 days after arriving in Maryland. “When she came home, our focus was on improving her internal health and putting some weight on her.”

She also said that healing the skin was quite simple, since it just took some basic medicine. “Mange dogs like Arya look scary, but they’re often easy to cure,” said Melissa and added that the time difference between the two photos is just five weeks. Fortunately, the girl is now happy in her forever family and Melissa has helped more dogs with medical conditions since.

#5

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Handsome Harry! Hit by a car in the middle of the night, found by some nice people that took him to a shelter and then pulled by a rescue.
Mange, a broken hip and a down spirit all healed in time with some love.
Harry made a full recovery and is now living his best life.

Tracy Cintron Report

#6

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Jumping on the #thenandnowchallenge with Koryo.
We adopted him in May of 2019 from the county shelter. He was an owner surrender, because his person passed away and the family didn't want him. His name was Coors. 9 years old, 40+ lbs, pure corgi. He literally couldn't walk to the end of our driveway, or poop without pooping on himself. He had skin infections in his rolls, and was on Apoquel.
Now, hes down to around 25lbs. He loves to run and play! We switched him to a prescription diet, and he only needs cytopoint seasonally. He recently started having seizures, but after a full neurological workup, it turns out to be idiopathic epilepsy (best case scenario in an 11 year old dog who just started randomly seizing.) He's spoiled like crazy, and is such a great dog!!

Sarah Ervin Report

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#7

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

This is Boris. I met him at PetSmart when they were hosting a no kill shelter. They told me he had recently been rescued by a volunteer and was heartworm positive. He was in a kennel completely ignoring me. I wasn’t sure if he would like me since he kept eyeing some kids running around. My bf said to just go for it. I did. One of the best decisions ever. It’s been 5 years and I just wish I would have found him sooner. He’s my heart.

Veronica Valdez Report

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Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever had him should have been horsewhipped! Or at least jailed. Now he's joyous! You bf was so right.

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Melissa also said that fostering is the most rewarding things a human can do. “Watching a scared or sick animal transform and trust you is so satisfying.”

She also urged potential foster carers not to be afraid that they'll have to keep all the fosters. “We’ve fostered 12 dogs so far and haven’t kept one, because we know that when a foster dog is adopted, our job starts all over again with the next.”

#8

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Casper was dumped by his previous owner when he hit the difficult teenage phase, and ran loose as a stray for almost 6 months before we were called to come trap and rescue him.
We assumed he would be untouchable and never warm up to people again, so he was going to go to a sanctuary, but I spent day after day sitting with him reading, talking to him, bringing him treats, and we ended up bonding intensely.
His trust in me to keep him safe has allowed me to slowly reintroduce him to being a pet and community member, and now, a little over a year and a half later, he is a sweet, cuddly, social boy who loves to shop, hike, camp, go on road trips, and hang out with me and my other dogs ❤

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DogspottingSociety/permalink/3284488661803326/ Report

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This breed needs to have a lot of exercise so I was so thrilled to read all the places you take him. He certainly is a beauty and lucky to have found you.

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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please, please, please do your research before getting a wolf-dog. They are a notoriously difficult breed for someone who is not familiar with their unique needs and personality. Wolf-dogs will always retain their wild strain, and it is heartbreaking that people simply purchase them because they look "cool" and then end up abandoning them when their behaviour becomes too complicated. They are pack animals and crave attention and exercise. I'm glad that Casper found a loving and caring owner who loves going camping and hiking.

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Lord Mysticlaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read somewhere that because of GoT it became really popular to have a wolf-dog, but so many of them were dumped because they're a more challenging breed 😥

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MsBungle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's czechoslovakian wolfdog, relatively new dog breed. It was officially recognized as a breed by FCI in 1989. Ten years later, in 1999, the breed confirmed its viability and met all the criteria of the FCI, earning full recognition of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog breed.

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NELS HEDMAN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He must have gone through lots of training to be a good boy. #ILoveMisunderstoodDogs

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#9

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Harley Quinn had a glow up. 👉👈

Caitlyn Falkenberg Report

#11

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

I had to post my baby’s beautiful eyes. She had a problem with her eye lids rolling inside her eyes which required surgery. Look at her now! 🥰

Sandy DeCarolis Report

#12

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Just over 1 year old vs just under 8 years old.
Is there any difference?

Rachael Rodrigues Report

#13

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

So I posted a #thenandnowchallenge with Merle on my personal page recently but this one seems more appropriate.
Meet Merle on his very first day with us (5 months old) sad, nervous and extremely timid. Fast forward to one year old, living his best life. This guy right here is the derpiest, spunkiest and most loving pup! His kisses and cuddles in the morning start my days off perfectly. And at the end of a long day at work he puts a smile right on my face. Every time. This guy stole my heart so hard! Our labby Vega taught Merle how to be a dog and I wouldn't want it any other way. I'll post a challenge of Vega soon too ❤❤

Katie Biers Report

#14

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Lazarus passed away last Nov. He will always be one of my greatest loves ❤
He was found in a barn with 30 pounds of matted hair on his body. He lived quite the best few years after that.

Amanda Brooke Charsha-Lindsey Report

#15

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

This is Maury. He’s currently 6 1/2 years old and was a year old on his gotcha day. We believe he is an Aussie Shepherd mix. He was Black and Tan when we got him and about three years ago got his first tiny white spot. He changed pretty quickly from there but now seems to be done. He’s seen the vet and specialists who all agree it’s not vitiligo and he has no issues or medical concerns. He’s just a unique soul with a great personality and very handsome look.

Sheryl Duyungan Report

#16

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Resting Stank Face est. 2013 😂
Double chins represent
*yes I apologise for posting the second photo again but I had to for this challenge 🤷🏻‍♀️😂*

Emily Jackson Report

#17

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Last Monday I found out Juice had bone cancer. We live in Colorado, and she had never seen the ocean- so I packed up the car and drove to CA. She's 17 ❤

We are back home in CO and laughing about all the snow we missed. Juice loved the ocean, the food, all the walks we went on.

Taylor Mathis Report

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R L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

17 is impressive, and what a great idea to take a trip :)

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#18

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

My Hippy when I first found him in the middle of a highway on a stormy night on my birthday in 2016, then four weeks after I found him and now!!!

Angie Hennington Report

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#19

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

This is “Jake”!
Saw him at a mobile adoption and my heart melted. When they packed him up to take him back to the shelter, I heard him crying and howling as they drove away. 😓
He was bought from a breeder and then surrendered by his family because they said he was “too pushy, leans on you and plays rough!” Sounded like a Rottie to me!
They also wanted him to be a “show dog”, but he developed Vitaligo and started losing the pigment on his face. (Maybe the real reason they gave him up?) Interestingly enough, the happier he has become... his nose is black again! 🖤
2 1/2 years later he is the best boy ever! Definitely a handful..but pure love! 🐕‍🦺❤️

Lisa Koch Lentz Report

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My nephew has a rot and he is the most sweetest dog ever with a head the size of a large blowing ball! ;o)

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#20

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

To be honest, there’s not much of a glowup, because my son has always been unbelievably perfect and cute and I would die for himb. But I love him more than life itself so wanted to share 🥺

Mark Mastello Report

#21

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

London was intentionally paralyzed by her abuser ... She was to be a bait dog in a fight ring. Fortunately, she was rescued before ever making it into the ring. Due to her paralysis, the Vet at the shelter recommended euthanasia. A friend of mine, and employee of the shelter, saw London wag her tail and knew that she'd be able to walk again ... So, she "adopted" her as a foster. My husband and I heard London's story and knew we had to have her. We worked extensively with a specialist in Nashville and, after several months of physical and hydrotherapy, London healed to 90%! She has also had 1 surgery. The 2nd picture is her, mid jump, playing at daycare.
Her name was Panda, but she often fell when re-learning to use her back legs. I would say, "Slow down, London!" ... Referencing London Bridge. She began to respond to London, so we kept it 🙂
EDIT: Thank you all for the love and support! London is the center of our world ❤ Per request, I've attached some videos of her playing. She does waddle when she walks and runs, and that will never go away, but she doesn't let it stop her from enjoying every minute of her life! We do a lot of swimming with her ... She's not a fan of the pool, but she loves the beach. Fortunately, we have a boat and have access to the Gulf ... She's not spoiled at all 🤣

Alysse Walavich Report

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Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That poor dog; what a terrible thing for someone to do. She deserves the best: you, her parents.

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#22

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

About 8 yrs ago my 16yr old pit "Blaze dog" passed away.
My ex decided to surprise me w a boxer puppy . He found a backyard breeder (i don't condone) with one puppy left "on clearance" bc he was the runt and had a heart murmur.
Little did they know he was royalty.
Vet told me he was undersized would probably be 50 lbs max and need surgery bc his skin was so droopy his lower lids were hanging too low lol
WHELP! He is 85 lbs and grew into his saggy face skin and his name of Bruiser which I named him as a joke bc he was so teeny.
He will be 8 next week.
8 years of being glared at, judged , and called a strumpet. 😄😄😄

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DogspottingSociety/permalink/3280486658870193/ Report

#23

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Trixie still thinks she’s small enough to sleep on top of her big sis Frannie 💕

Jennifer Lewis Report

#24

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Miss Bella is now 5 months old and thriving, Al-hamdulillah. She was an orphan with two siblings that did not survive. I couldn't let her fall to the same fate. She is typically feral, disliking to be picked up, but she will come to snuggle in my lap and has an instant purr anytime I touch her.😻 She loves her adopted big brothers Peanut and Hamasa, but is besties with Hamasa. The two of them share the love of full body massage and napping in the balcony chairs...and, of course, their hooman.😊😻

Aishah Schwartz Report

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Diane Patrick
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Much hasanat for you, inshaAllah. Beautiful cat. Salaam alaikom.

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#25

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

💜Happy 14th Birthday to our sweet Abby girl! 💜

Melissa Mahin Mitchell Report

#27

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Gary was a stray dodging cars for months to reach my husband’s workplace every day to share the office cat’s food. The first picture is within 20 minutes of my husband dropping him over the fence into our backyard, where I was spending a day off watercolor painting. We just stared at each other. Don’t his eyes look human? That was in about 2009. He was really sweet but refused to come in the house, until a cold night when we dragged him in for warmth. After that, he was the first at the door to come in every time we let the 4 dogs out LOL. Now he wears pajamas in winter hahaha.

Gerri Hemelt Hunt Report

#28

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

My baby is just two months old but she's grown a lot (of fur and a little bit in size) Plus her eyes are now yellow. . . . and fierce. Lmao

Patrick Atabay Report

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#30

Before-After-Pet-Challenge

Peanut at 7 weeks vs 5 years old.

Jef Goldblum Report

Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.