Miracle Stories

We rescued Cinnamon in June 2025, and for nearly a year, she was in our care, healing from a past no dog should ever endure. Her previous owner had cruelly poured acid on her back, leaving her with severe chemical burns, a horrific act of cruelty. Those scars would remain for life, a permanent mark of the suffering she survived. But she was safe with us, and time after time, she waited at the ranch for her forever person, hoping one day someone would see past her scars and r

When 5-year-old Twisty arrived at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, her story was nearly over before it had a chance to begin. Rescued from Broward County Animal Care and Control moments before she was set to be euthanized , this sweet Bulldog came to us in devastating condition, with her lower jaw having been severely degloved , leaving her in unimaginable pain. Despite everything she had endured, Twisty’s eyes still held a spark, a quiet plea for help, and a will to survive. Our medica

Not many chips have taken a journey quite like our beloved Dorito. At just five months old, this stunning Bluetick Coonhound was rescued from Morgan County, Georgia, where she was deemed a lost cause due to her severe heart conditions. But Big Dog Ranch Rescue saw her potential and immediately stepped in, ensuring she made it to safety. Her journey led her to our Alabama campus before she finally arrived at our Ranch here in Florida, where she’s been given a second chance at

Even though he is only 5 months old, Rocky's journey has definitely been rocky. This beautiful pup was rescued by Big Dog Ranch Rescue back in December from the streets of Puerto Rico. While we may never know the full extent of what he endured, his little body speaks volumes—each scar and fracture a testament to the mountains he’s already climbed. As soon as Rocky arrived on our Florida campus, our medical team quickly discovered that he had suffered severe fractures in his h

When Lucielle 's owner passed away, her world was turned upside down. Left outside without her puppies, she struggled to survive on her own. By the time a neighbor noticed and brought her to us, Lucielle was scared, overwhelmed, and covered in scars and open wounds from fights with other dogs. As if that weren't enough, she was also diagnosed with heartworms, a dangerous illness requiring intensive treatment. Her story could have ended there, but fate had other plans. A lovin

This beautiful Belgian Malinois, Mia, was rescued from the streets of Thailand and brought to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, where her life finally took a turn toward hope. When she first arrived, Mia carried herself with the confidence of a protector, but behind that proud stance was the shadow of a difficult past. Like many working breeds without the right guidance, she had developed habits to survive in an unpredictable world. She was smart, determined, and fiercely loyal—qualities

When Tiny Tim was found wandering the streets of Miami last December, he was barely clinging to life. Emaciated and all skin and bones, he had clearly gone a long time without proper food, shelter, or care. Weak and exhausted, he was brought to Big Dog Ranch Rescue.  But Tiny Tim is a fighter. With love, patience, and the expert care of our veterinary team, he began to gain weight, regain strength, and, most importantly, hope. Day by day, his spirit returned. And now, he’s a

Muffin  arrived from Miami-Dade with a shattered front leg and a silent story of suffering. His injury couldn’t be repaired, an d the only option was to remove the damaged leg. As if that were n’t enough, he was also heartworm positive—facing two major battles before he could even begin to heal. Recovery was slow and full of challenges. Muffin had to learn how to walk—and live—on three legs while also undergoing heartworm treatment. But through every hurdle, he remained gentl

Lovebug  was discovered wandering the streets of Miami—starving, exhausted, and completely alone. Her body was skin and bones. Her eyes, heavy with fatigue. And yet, when our team gently approached her, she wagged her tail. That simple gesture—so full of hope in the face of suffering—was the first miracle. We brought her to Big Dog Ranch Rescue and named her Lovebug. With time, safety, and love, her spirit began to shine. The frail street dog transformed into a joyful, affect

When Bells arrived at Big Dog Ranch Rescue on May 30, 2025, she carried with her the kind of story that stops you in your tracks. Found in Miami after being struck by a car, she came to us injured, unsure, and without anyone to call her own. In those first quiet moments, wrapped in blankets and surrounded by the gentle hands of our medical team, we saw not just a dog in need—but a soul still full of trust, gentleness, and grace Bells is a beautiful 5-year-old Belgian Malinois

Daisy came to us under heartbreaking circumstances. A brave bystander stepped in after witnessing three teenagers attempting to hang this sweet girl from a tree with a rope around her neck. We’ll never truly know what Daisy endured before that moment, but when we got the call, we didn’t hesitate. For two long years, Daisy remained at the ranch. She was terrified of everyone, recoiled at human touch, and shut down when anyone tried to show her love. Her trauma ran deep, and we

Batty  was 90 just hours away from being euthanized—his life hanging by a thread at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control—when Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s founder, Lauree Simmons herself, made a life-changing rescue trip that changed everything. We stepped in to save this little guy and rushed him to safety. Paralyzed in his back legs and struggling to breathe, he was in critical condition. At Big Dog Ranch, we stabilized him and kept him on oxygen while coordinating with surg

Velcro  came to us with deep physical and emotional scars. Severe burns covered his face and nose, and the damage took the sight from one of his eyes. His injuries told a story of pain and trauma—but Velcro never let that define him. The moment someone reached out with a gentle touch, he leaned right in. It was like he’d been waiting for kindness all along. That’s how he got his name—Velcro. Once he connects with you, he sticks close, offering quiet comfort and a steady prese

Pirata, Nano, and Chispa —two Chihuahuas and a Rat Terrier, were victims of one of the most heartbreaking abuse cases we encountered this year. These three tiny dogs had already suffered from long-term neglect when they were subjected to a horrifying act of cruelty: tied behind a pickup truck and dragged down the road.   A witness captured the horrific act on video, leading to the arrest of the man responsible. But the damage had already been done.  Pirata was living in our S

At our most recent event, the Cheney Brothers Food Show, our BDRR team brought along some of our adoptable dogs— Leggy , a two-year-old, three-legged hound mix, was one of them. Leggy came to Big Dog Ranch from Redlands, a sadly well-known dog dumping ground in South Florida. Since her arrival, she has shown nothing but kindness, strength, and love to our entire team and volunteers. Finally, it was her time to shine. At the show, she caught the eye of Matt Elmore, who was imm

Esmeralda is a 2-year-old mixed breed who came to Big Dog Ranch Rescue under heartbreaking circumstances. She was brought to us after being hit by a car, suffering from multiple severe injuries. The impact left her with a complex fracture of her right femur, a dislocated left hip, a pelvic fracture, internal bleeding, and severe chest trauma. Thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors and the support of our Miracle Fund, Esmeralda was able to receive care from an ortho

At Big Dog Ranch Rescue, we witness miracles every day—but some stories leave a mark on your heart that never fades. Rambit’s story is one of those. In 2022, Rambit  was found as a stray in Broward County, FL—abandoned, abused, and barely clinging to life. When he arrived at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, he had duct tape wrapped tightly around his mouth, a cruel act that left behind a permanent scar and a haunting reminder of the pain he endured. He was broken, physically and emotion

Meet SKY , a five-year-old Weimaraner who has experienced both the pain of loss and the joy of love in her life. Sky comes from a sad situation—she once had a home where she was loved and well cared for. However, her owner could no longer provide for her needs, so she was sadly surrendered and taken into our care here at Big Dog Ranch. Now, she is adjusting to the unfamiliar world of shelter life. Despite her challenges, Sky has shown nothing but kindness to our team and the

She was found barely clinging to life—too weak to lift her head, her tiny body emaciated and broken. A compassionate bystander saw her motionless and called for help. We responded and the moment we saw the extent of her injuries, we knew we had to act quickly. Bibi had suffered unimaginable cruelty. Her ribs were fractured, her spine damaged, and her bruised skin told the story of prolonged, deliberate harm. A BB pellet was discovered beneath her skin—a chilling sign of what

Moo Cow, when we found her Mama Moo Cow was discovered wandering a farm alone in Miami-Dade County. She was scared, exhausted, and heavily pregnant. With 13 puppies on the way and no one to care for her, she faced an uncertain and frightening future. Thankfully, we stepped in just in time. We brought her to safety and gave her a quiet, comfortable space in our Puppy Cabins where she could finally rest and prepare for birth. Surrounded by warmth, compassion, and expert care, M