Zaxby-HERO to his humans~

Even the gutter can't conquer the GREATNESS!

From the gutter, a HERO emerges~

I first heard about this little miracle of a dog 2 years ago with the rest of my rescue friends in the Atlanta area. Soon to be named after one of my favorite restaurants, no one had any way of knowing how much perseverance resided in the little shell of a pup. He never gave up, so how could humans give up on him? They didn't, and he repaid his heroes with love abounding. Listen to his forever mama on how he's changed her, and saved her~

My Hero- Zaxby aka Chicken 

I love dogs. I am no stranger to the "crazy dog lady" nickname. I have 3 dogs that I love to distraction and my home is always full of foster dogs that I could not say no to. I have devoted my life to helping dogs in need and I am a better person for it. People ask if I have a favorite but I think it is unfair to say I have a favorite dog - rather I love each of them in a different way - Finn is my solid good boy, Mabel my kitty cat dog and then there is Chicken.

There are no words to describe the impact he has had on my life and my heart. This little black pocket pittie, pulled from a gutter, half dead with a deformed leg had every reason to give up, to shut down and hate the world that treated him so cruelly. Here are his initial shelter pictures.

 But that was never an option for him. All of his pictures from his rescue show a smiling boy, raw in his need to be loved and accepted. Fast forward two years and he still wakes up every single day with a smile on his face and his tail wagging. He loves and lives with his entire heart and soul. He absolutely bursts with joy and happiness over the littlest things we take for granted everyday - food, love, a home and walks in the sunshine.

Since adopting Zaxby two years ago this December, I have been thrown some major curveballs in life. I lost my job of 12 years and am suffering from a long term painful health condition. It would have been easy to give up , hide in bed and give into the demons of depression - except Chicken would not let that happen. He reminds me every day that no matter how bad things are, no matter what we made to endure in life, no matter how our pasts seem to try to drag us down some days - you can endure and you can still love without abandon and you can survive any challenge. You can beat the odds and come out on top with a smile on your face. For this - and many more reasons - Zaxby the Chicken Wing Dog is my hero and my best friend."

The HERO is Big Daddy~

I don't even really remember where, or when I met her (sorry girl! Lol!), but it really just seems like God knew I needed her, so He slipped her into my life. She is funny, amazing, talented, and fiercely loyal.  And even though she is a Hero to me, this story isn't really about HER being a Hero, but it's about HER Hero.  She has a dog named Big Daddy, and she is Lauren Janis of Big Daddy Biscuits.......see where this is going? I'll let her tell you the rest. Suffice it to say, the Biggest Daddy of them all, in Heaven knows who and what we need, and when. His timing is always perfect.

Lauren writes about her Hero, Big Daddy~

"After Big Daddy was rescued off the street in Atlanta, Big Daddy (Pete at the time) was brought to me by my friend Vicki.  She told me she found the perfect dog for me to foster (ha ha) and he needed lots of love since my home was being  burglarized .  When he came to live with me, I immediately changed his name to Big Daddy knowing that he was not going to leave my house.  Not long after, my pops passed away and I was laid off from my job.  I was have a meaningful conversation with my niece and nephew, Shana and Kenny (8 year old twins).  I asked them what I should do with my life.  They looked at one another for a few seconds ( you could see the wheels tuning!), they told me that I should make dog biscuits.  I thought about it, then asked them the question, "If I were to do this, what should I call it?"  We played around for a few minutes and came up with Big Daddy Biscuits.

I started making them in my home, right there, with Big Daddy by my side to support me, I started Big Daddy Biscuits!  He is almost completely blind (from toxoplasmosis), but has an incredible spirit and never stops going. I can't imagine my life without him, he is my best friend, and always there when I need a sweet doggie kiss, he is funny, and sure keeps me in line!  He is my professional taste tester :-) 

 Who would have thought that the actions of one person, bringing this sweet dog into my life when I did not know it is what I needed, would have led to all of this?  I truly feel without the experience of saving Big Daddy, and him helping me heal from a very rough spot in my life, none of this would have ever happened.  He is my Hero, and saved me as much as I saved him."