Celebrating Rally Rescues
Facebook followers share heartwarming stories and photos.
Thanks to everyone who shared their rescue stories in the WCRL Facebook group.* Here are just a few of the rescue to rally successes. See more on the WCRL Facebook page and in the WCRL Facebook group.
“This is Kisu, she's a deaf and visually impaired double merle Miniature American Shepherd. She came to me via a breeder friend who saved her from euthanasia by another unscrupulous breeder. She is my third DM and my third competition rally dog. I love this photo by FastCatPhil because it embodies the joy we have in just being together. We laugh at ourselves and hope to spread the joy to other teams along the way. We are currently working towards our ArchEX.” -- Mandy Taylor
Mandy Taylor and Kisu
“This is Krikit in MN. He came from Oklahoma and was a foster keeper. Before Krikit came along if you had told me I'd be doing Rally I would have laughed out loud! He tried it, he loved it and down the Rally rabbit hole we went!” -- Candice Christensen
Krikit
“This is Tucker - I adopted him from Speak Rescue and Sanctuary when he was just over a year old. We enjoy doing WCRL rally together and are working on our ARCHEX.” -- Barb Dahl Meece
Tucker
“Diesel came to live with me in 2024 when his owner suddenly died. I had trained Diesel to be a service dog for Jonathan, a veteran, several years before. I couldn't turn him away. I entered him in a WCRL trial less than a month later. He did not know rally obedience but I did. He did great…he was also ranked #5 in Level 2 in the national rankings. I didn't do all this for me...I did it for him. He needed to be doing things and I was determined to give him a good life. He was so happy going out and doing rally!” -- Kristin Shilling Platzer
Diesel
“I adopted Seger at 6-months from the Cavalier Doberman Pinscher Club. At 6 years old, we are having a blast in the Rally ring. Photo taken by Tyler Hart Photography at WCRL Trials Hosted by REACH K9 at the Richmond SPCA .” -- Mel Parrish
Seger
“Her name is Georgia; we rescued her after she was dumped at a cemetery near our home. We've had her just over a year and already have our Intro and Level 1 titles in WCRL Rally. She is 5 now based on her estimated age.” -- Savannah Newberry Stouder
Georgia
“This is Mister Blue. We are his third home in the first 18 months of his life. He lived with the breeder for almost a year, and then he moved into his second home. He was at his second home for about six months when his owner got diagnosed with lung cancer. The plan was for him to stay with me until the owner got out of the hospital. I used to take him to visit her, and one day, she asked if I would keep him if something happened to her. She was gone in about a week after that. He has both his Intro and Level 1 titles with an Award of Excellence.” -- Jen Heid
Mister Blue
“Josie is a rescue that was left tied to a house when the family moved. She has been the best companion a human could ask for. She competes in multiple sports including WCRL Rally.” -- Heidi Dulac
Josie
"ARCHEX Poppy. I adopted her at 6 months from a shelter to be my next agility dog. Although we did some agility together, her anxiety made it clear it was never going to be her thing... On a whim, I entered her in the intro class when she was around 8 years old, not expecting much... She surprised me by doing well! She ended up finishing several championships with lots of blue ribbons and perfect scores along the way. She was known for her joyful high leaps whenever we crossed the finish line. (She was aptly named). I had to say goodbye to her 2 days before Xmas this past December at 15 1/2 years old. But she serves as an example of don't be afraid to try something with your dog - they might surprise you - and older dogs can learn new tricks, and not only succeed, but excel." -- Dawn Peterson
Poppy
"Jacob was a rescue who competed until he retired at 13+ years old. He loved WCRL Rally! He came to me painfully shy and blossomed into a joyful confident partner. In addition to being successful with multiple ARCHMXes and many years of national rankings, he had a good time in the ring and occasionally made us all laugh by nose booping or pouncing on signs, woo wooing, or tossing his dumbbell on the retrieve. He was also a fantastic demo dog and rent a dog for my WCRL Rally and other classes. He was wonderful for helping other teams learn.” -- Ariane M. Bailey
Ariane M. Bailey and Jacob
“Rio ARCHMX6 retired from rally last year at 14.5 years old after a very long rally career! He earned a few more QQQs after this MX at 13+yrs old (and as a cancer survivor) and then we just dabbled for fun, finishing up earning his intro title (which wasn't available when he started). He was adopted as a puppy from a NJ rescue. Best choice ever!” -- Tena Parker
Rio
“Ruby doesn’t love posing with ribbons, but at 9, she is retiring from rally having earned every level title, starting way back when there was a puppy division. A well-deserved retirement to be sure!” -- Jess Janowski
Ruby
“Jeffrey, Eleventh Hour rescue from euthanasia list Manhattan in 2010. He retired with six ARCH-MX titles, but more importantly, so many WCRL friends! We are forever grateful for our WCRL community!” -- Michele Houston
Jeffrey
“Mango was a rescue street dog from the island of Anguilla. She was very fear reactive but very sweet, goofy with lots of personality. We started rally classes in 2016 and finally got up the nerve to compete in WCRL in 2018. We learned to accept numerous black NQ ribbons over the years and after five years she earned her ARCH MX!” -- Jane Comerford
Jane Comerford and Mango
"Trevor (black/tan terrier mix) is 11 years old, adopted at 7 month of age. He has become my best bud in obedience, rally, parkour, Fast CAT and agility. Becca is now 7 years old, adopted at 13 weeks, she is a pom/chi/beagle mix. She loves to boss our other dogs and play in all the sports Trevor does. Meet Trevor WCRL ARCHMX & Becca ARCHEX." – Diana Hong
Trevor and Becca
"This is our Maggie P., adopted at 16 weeks old from a shelter. We’ve competed in WRCL Rally. (RI, R1 & almost R2 titles). She’s competed in UKC & AKC obedience and Rally as well. We are, just now involved in “all things” Nose Work and we love it! But, Maggie’s favorite sport is chasing her ball everyday. She is my constant companion and very loved." -- Camille Kaulen
Maggie P.
"I rescued Bella (Georgia Belle) 6 years ago. She was my foster fail. She was 2 then. She was brought up from Georgia by Eleventh Hour Rescue. Since then she’s earned her ARCHMX, her RAE in AKC and is now competing in agility. She also made the annual rankings in 2022 & 2023. We have also just returned to WCRL rally in Veterans." -- Sharon Graham
Sharon Graham and Bella
*Content on this page is published as it was posted on Facebook.