Sheldon, Max Loki and Luna

His name was Sheldon. He was an old guy, and we were a brand-new senior sanctuary with a little room to help.

But when we got there, Sheldon wasn’t the only dog who needed someone.

There were six dogs on that day’s euthanasia list.

We were a new rescue. We had a minivan. And that minivan had space.
So all six got in.

Two would eventually head to another rescue partner, while Sheldon, Max, Loki and Luna came home with us. They became the 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th dogs to call our Little Red Barn home.

And only Sheldon was old.

The others? Young pit bull mixes.

So much for being a senior sanctuary.

But that day helped shape something that has been part of Always & Furever ever since:

How do you say no to a soul who simply needs someone to see them and say yes?

Sheldon went on to become the first official adoption from the Little Red Barn in 2018.

Luna became one of our longest-term residents. She was adopted and returned more than once, always coming back to the people who loved those soulful eyes and that enormous heart. She became a staff and volunteer favorite—and this year, after all that waiting, Luna finally found her furever home. She is living her best life with people to call her very own.

And Max? Well, Max definitely wasn't an old guy. He was young, energetic and very good at keeping everyone at our supposed “senior sanctuary” on their toes.

One trip.
One minivan.
Six lives that needed someone to say yes.

And four dogs who became part of the earliest chapters of this Little Red Barn.

We didn't know then exactly what Always & Furever would become. We didn't know how many thousands of animals would eventually come through our doors.

We just knew there were lives in front of us that mattered.

And we said yes.

That is still our dream today.

To build places where there is room to say yes. Where animals who have nowhere else to go can land safely, heal, be loved and have the chance to find what comes next.

For 100 days, we're sharing 100 of the stories that built this dream.

Because before there was a campaign, a Homestead East, Lighthouses or plans for what comes next, there were dogs like Sheldon, Max, Loki and Luna.

And a minivan with a little extra room.

We Have a Dream.

And we're building it together.

$1.4 million · 5,600 Dream Builders · $250 at a time

Become a Dream Builder and help us make room for the next soul who needs someone to say yes.

We're sharing 100 rescue stories over 100 days to raise $1.4M, to build our dream that is Homestead East in KC. A place that will show people what's possible when rescue is rooted in joy. A dream that won't be built on one big check. 5,600 gifts of $250 will make it real.

BECOME A DREAM BUILDER: https://buff.ly/xYQ66OV

TELL US ABOUT THE A&F RESCUE THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE: https://buff.ly/nEnWd9w