I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase: “Dog is man’s best friend,” which has been commonly attributed to Frederick the Great and popularized by the poet Ogden Nash. There are many reasons to get a dog, and if you are able to rescue a dog who needs a home, all the better!
These rescue dog quotes will remind you why you love your furry friend, or convince you to take the plunge and invite a dog into your home!
There are a lot of quotes out there, so I’ve scoured the internet to find the very best. These heartwarming quotes are all about the benefits that dogs bring into our world, the love humans and animals share, and the joys of finding that special four-legged friend.
I grew up with dogs from a variety of backgrounds. My family had a pet Weimaraner, a boxer, two chihuahuas, and a myriad of rescued stray dogs. One of our dogs had dwarfism. Another had almost starved to death before we found her.
All of them were incredibly special and these quotes exemplify some of the ways they changed my life.
Because there are so many dog quotes circling the internet, I tried to find a few that are especially related to rescue dogs. Whether your pet is missing an ear or even a leg, has some vision problems, needs extra love or training, or is just a special mixed breed, these quotes work perfectly to talk about your rescue dog.
Ready to dig into the best rescue dog quotes on the internet? These quotes will have you chasing your paw-pal around or running to the nearest animal shelter to see if you can change a dog’s life, and let it change your life.
Best Rescue Dog Quotes
Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash
- Mork’s Story
Mork is a rescue dog famous on Instagram as @morkskywalker and absolutely adorable with his floppy ears and squished face. He was rescued from the meat trade and now lives very happily with his family, and often with other rescue dogs. Here’s a quote from his Instagram page:
“One of the reasons I started this page was for Mork to shine light and positivity, and to inspire anyone struggling in a dark place. But his story is also about empathy, fairness, and fighting against injustice.”
- Happiness
Humor writer Josh Billings, also known as Henry Wheeler Shaw, wrote in the mid-1800s. He has many witty sayings and phrases, one of which is this popular quote that shows just how important it is to make a strong connection with your dog and learn to love them as well as they love you. This quote was also featured in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp!
“Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won’t buy you the wag of its tail!”
- Rescue Dog Affection
Eartha Kitt was a famous American singer with two rescued poodles. Her dogs were certainly by her side for years and you can see from the pictures that they were best friends. She once said:
“Thank God I got the rejects. These animals are very, very affectionate.”
- The Best Exchange
Roger Caras, a wildlife photographer said this next quote. It’s clear as you read his quotes that he had a deep love for all animals, and especially dogs. This quote explains just how much we as humans benefit from bringing a dog into our homes.
“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.”
- Filling Empty Spaces
If you don’t have a dog, and never have, there’s a good chance you don’t know what you’re missing. Author Thom Jones perfectly puts this feeling into words with this quote:
“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn’t even know we had.”
- Life Lessons
The book “Marley and Me” is filled with wonderful quotes about life with a dog. The author, John Grogan, clearly knows exactly what it is that makes dogs so special. He writes:
“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.”
- Special Connection
Dogs and their humans form a special bond unlike anything else. In his book “Boy’s Life,” Robert R. McCammon writes:
“After years of having a dog, you know him. You know the meaning of his snuffs and grunts and barks. Every twitch of the ears is a question or statement, every wag of the tail is an exclamation.”
- Positive Training
I won’t pretend like dogs don’t require a lot of work too. Dogs can bite, bark, chew, pee, and poop. But it’s important to train them with positive reinforcement and when coming from a place of connection. I love this quote from the blog Training Positive:
“I am constantly in awe of a dog’s ability to develop deep bonds with their humans once we commit ourselves to nurture them with love, support, and compassionate guidance.”
- Perseverance
Sometimes it takes a while for a rescue dog to find the perfect home. If you’ve ever volunteered at a shelter or tried to find a home for a dog, you might have been tempted to give up. This reminder from Animal Wellness Foundation will show you that there is hope and every dog is worth fighting for.
“Don’t give up. Don’t think that your phone call for help, your inquiry for more information, and your rallying a team together won’t make a difference in an animal’s life. It will!”
- Be a Hero
The final quote for this article is from author Elizabeth Parker from her book “Finally Home.” As you can see, there are so many positive reasons to get a dog. By bringing a rescue into your home, you are actually saving his or her life.
“Being a hero to someone, even if it is a dog, is a feeling like no other. Though it can be frustrating, it can be the most rewarding thing to give someone a second chance at a happy life.”
Now that you’ve read some inspirational quotes, cuddle your dog! If you aren’t a dog owner yet, go stop by a shelter to give some rescue dogs some much-needed love. Even if you aren’t in a place to adopt one yet, you can still make their day by volunteering at an animal shelter near you!
