Animal lovers across the country are mourning the loss of Seven, the miracle foal who captured thousands of hearts with his fight for life.

Born seven weeks early, he was his mother’s seventh baby, and his owner Katie Van Slyke’s seventh foal of the year. Against all odds, Seven survived for more than a year — a milestone no one thought possible when he first came into the world in February 2024.

“While we knew that we didn’t have years or even many months left with our sweet boy, we had hoped for more sunny days of watching him graze in the pasture,” Van Slyke shared. “We had hoped for more mornings being greeted by his sweet, cheerful whinny. We had hoped for more evenings feeding him his favorite banana treat. We had just hoped for more.”

Last week’s scorching heat proved too much, even for healthy horses. For Seven —whose fragile health was always a concern — it became unbearable. Van Slyke and the University of Tennessee Center for Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) made the heartbreaking decision to have him humanely euthanized after he began showing signs of colic.

The University of Tennessee’s vet school helped baby Seven thrive against slim survival odds. The school even shaved a Power T on him before bidding him farewell.

Posted by WBIR Channel 10 on Thursday, March 27, 2025

“We join Baby Seven’s family in mourning his loss. His journey was remarkable, not only for his resilience and spirit but for the profound impact he had on our faculty, staff, and students,” UTCVM said in a statement. “We are touched by the support and outpouring of love throughout his journey.”

Seven’s life was nothing short of extraordinary. Born at just 286 days of gestation, before most horses are even viable, many of his bones were still cartilage. He underwent surgeries, braces, casts, and hours of physical therapy, yet he never stopped fighting. Katie often shared his journey on TikTok, where followers cheered on his every milestone.

“Anyone who dealt with Seven on a personal level knows the fight and LIFE that he exuded every single day,” Van Slyke said. “He WANTED life. He FOUGHT for life. He was a joy, and though he wasn’t able to be a ‘normal horse,’ no one can say they didn’t fight for him to have that chance.”

Seven’s legacy will live on in more ways than one. Earlier this year, the “Seven Scholarship” was created to award $7,000 to seven third-year equine veterinary students and to UTCVM each year—totaling $49,000 annually to honor the foal’s incredible spirit.

Katie expressed her gratitude to everyone at Tennessee Equine Hospital and UTCVM who helped give Seven his chance at life. For those who followed his story online, his loss is more than just the end of a fight—it’s the loss of a little soul who taught the world what it means to truly persevere.

Seven’s story is one I’ll never forget. A true testament to courage, love, and the tireless devotion of his owner and care team. He may be gone, but his spirit lives on.

 

Gracie, once known as Glacier, was found in dire condition on a deserted Central Florida road.

When she arrived at Gulf Coast Humane Society, she was battling a severe skin infection that had developed into sepsis. Her energy was nearly gone, and her beautiful fur was replaced by painful scabs and infection.

At We Love Animals, we often report on injured animals in trouble, and it’s heartbreaking to think that right now there are likely thousands of animals in urgent need of help.

Gracie’s story, however, gives me a bit of hope for humanity, and it’s always amazing to see how change is possible when there’s the will and the effort to make it happen.

Take Gracie’s story, for example. A few years ago, she was found in terrible condition. She had sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition that demands urgent care at a veterinary hospital.

With months of care, attention, and love from the GCHS staff and volunteers, Gracie’s spirit began to shine. She thrived on affection, and slowly, her fur and confidence came back.

Finally, Gracie found her fur-ever home. Her new family shared:
”I named her Gracie because it was the Grace of God that I got her, and she has fit into my home perfectly. She has really filled out with a beautiful coat, loves to chase squirrels — she’s on squirrel patrol every day — and loves to run!”

”I have a huge fenced-in backyard that she now considers her own. Gracie also loves to play with her doggy rope and squeaky baby in the house, keeping us pretty busy. She’s become sisters with my senior dog Patches, who has been uplifted since losing two older doggie sisters last year.”

Later, Gracie’s family shared another heartwarming update about her. They said:

“What a wonderful dog! She has very good house manners, is house trained, calm and gets along with my senior Dalmatian mix very well. I believe that someone had her as an indoor pet in her early life because of how she is in the house. She mostly lays down but will play a little with her toy rope which she likes the best. When she needs to go out she either comes and gets me by mouthing my hand or she will sit by the sliding door out to the lanai. I give her both the dry and soft food in her bowl and she gobbles it down. She already looks like she has gained weight. Me, my husband and my senior dog Patches are very happy with her! Thanks for having a wonderful staff who took such good care of her. I plan on getting one more dog in the future so I will be back for another girl. ‘Let your staff know that Gracie is having fun and will have a long happy life.’”

It brings tears to my eyes knowing Gulf coast saved her and her new mom will love her for the rest of her life.

From near-death to a life full of love and adventure, Gracie’s story is proof that rescue dogs can make the most incredible comebacks. We are so very happy for Gracie! Thank you for giving her home and love she deserves!

 

The belgian blue bull is the result of 50 years of selective breeding in Belgium. The goal was to create a breed that produces a lot of milk and meat – something that has succeeded.

However, the animals have unfortunately been afflicted with health problems and have suffered from how they’ve been bred.

Created in the 19th century

Different species of animals have been selectively bred for thousands of years.

Man has greatly changed most pets, leaving nearly no trace of their wild ancestors.

”Belgian cattle” was created in the 19th century by crossing blackbrown Dutch and red-haired short-haired cattle. As a result of the crossing, the bulls became blue-haired.

It’s also sometimes called the Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique or dikbil —which literally means “fat buttocks” in Dutch.

The carnivores are, according to many, one of the most frightening examples of what can happen when man meddles with nature.

The breed is criticized for being ”wandering meat plants.” It has abnormally huge muscles – a grown bull often weighs between 1.1 and 1.2 tonnes. In the animal’s body, a protein has been created that inhibits muscle growth, which allows the muscles of the animals to grow much larger than usual.

It has been reported that the genetic mutation produces a number of other effects such as deformed jaws and enlarged tongues that make it difficult for the calves to suckle.

The mutation can also have underdeveloped internal organs – ­the liver and lungs are significantly smaller than in common cattle – which can lead to breathing difficulties, heart problems and infertility.

Cows with double-muscling often have trouble giving birth, a condition called dystocia, even when bred to regular beef or dairy bulls. This is because their birth canal is narrower, and their calves are usually heavier and wider than normal. As a result, many calves are delivered by Caesarean section, and a cow can typically handle about five or six of these surgeries in her lifetime.

For bulls, double-muscling can reduce testicle size as well as the amount and quality of their semen, likely due to extra connective tissue in the testes.

However, this is generally a smaller concern compared to the serious birthing difficulties faced by the cows.

What do you think of this extreme selective breeding? Watch the video below and share your views with us on Facebook.

 

A heartbreaking scene unfolded on the streets of Houston, Texas, when an animal lover spotted a dog in horrifying condition, barely able to walk.

The 5-year-old pup, later named Madelyn, had been so severely mistreated that she looked almost frozen in stone. Veterinarians revealed that Madelyn was not only suffering from neglect but also battling a serious heart condition.

Rescued by the animal welfare group This Is Houston, the organization slammed the cruel treatment, saying Madelyn had been “completely failed by humans.”

In a statement from the agency staff said: ”Her spirit is broken. Her fur is gone. Her entire body hurts. Her mind is wondering what she did wrong. Her heart is torn. This is what happens when a living animal is ignored for so long.”

Madelyn was found back in 2020 and little is known about how she came to be in her horrific condition, and whether she had been abandoned by previous owners, the nonprofit said, adding: ”She’s five years old and has been completely failed by humans.”

”Can you imagine how many people saw her over those five years and ignored her? Our hearts break thinking about how her life has been up until this point.”

Madelyn is suffering from an enlarged heart, and further tests on her revealed she has heartworm – a serious disease that can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, and in some cases can be fatal.

Months later, Madelyn had undergone an incredible transformation. She thrived in a foster home, soaking up love, sunbathing in blankets, and even demanding her meals with hilarious sass!

While she still battled alopecia areata and some lingering skin infections, her personality shone brighter than ever.

Madelyn also started a trial with an amazing family, and she showed how loving, playful, and funny she could be. She may not have had all her fur, but she had a heart full of love and a spirit that refused to be broken.

This brave girl proved that love and care could heal even the deepest wounds. Stories like Madelyn’s remind us why supporting local animal shelters is so important.

This sweet pup went from surviving in the woods, scavenging for scraps, and being ignored by passersby every day… to finally finding love, care, and hope.

 

A few days ago, animal control in rural Georgia received a desperate call: a witness had seen a man point a gun at a dog and fire twice, hitting her in the head.

The dog fell into a ditch.

Terrified, the caller couldn’t approach — but she didn’t hesitate to alert authorities.

What they discovered next was shocking

I can’t comprehend attacking an innocent animal with violence. It must take a deeply troubled and tragic person to do something like that. Unfortunately, this kind of cruelty happens far too often, and we see it again and again.

But we will never let it happen in silence.

Just a few days ago, NYC Second Chance Rescue began reporting a harrowing case: the story of Luna Storm, a dog rescued in rural Georgia. When rescuers reached her, Luna was still alive, trembling and in severe pain. What they discovered next was shocking — her injuries weren’t just from the gunshots.

Veterinarians found evidence she had been beaten with an object before being shot, leaving her skull fractured and her face shattered.

One of her eyes was destroyed beyond repair.

Luna was rushed to a critical care hospital, where every second counted. Surgeons stabilized her, removed dangerous bone fragments from her brain, repaired skull fractures, and performed life-saving procedures on her multiple bullet wounds.

Continues to fight

Her damaged eye had to be removed to prevent infection and relieve pain. Today, Luna’s surviving eye is blind, a cruel reminder of the brutality she endured.

Despite the odds, Luna is fighting. She’s eaten for the first time since the attack, stood on her own, and is already showing her unstoppable spirit.

Her doctors describe her as the sweetest dog, and everyone who meets her falls in love with her courage and resilience.

This miracle of survival wouldn’t have been possible without NYC Second Chance Rescue, the organization behind Luna’s rescue. Founded by Jennifer Brooks, the nonprofit has been saving animals since 2005. Jennifer’s passion began as a child, pretending to answer phones for animal shelters, long before she built NYC Second Chance Rescue into the lifeline it is today.

Medical costs will exceed $15,000

Through her leadership and the dedication of countless volunteers, NYC Second Chance Rescue has dramatically reduced the number of animals facing euthanasia in New York City. Thousands of animals have received urgent medical care and a second chance at life — Luna Storm being the latest testament to their mission.

Jennifer says it best:  ”I always wanted to help animals since I was a child. While other children were playing with dolls and Legos, I was pretending to answer the phones for an animal shelter. Animals have always made me shine. They are my purpose.”

Luna’s medical costs will exceed $15,000 as she continues her long road to recovery, but thanks to the outpouring of love and support from the community, she has a fighting chance. She is safe, she is loved, and she is showing the world that even in the face of unimaginable cruelty, hope can survive.

For Luna Storm, and countless other animals like her, NYC Second Chance Rescue is there — giving them the second chance they deserve.

To support Luna and NYC Second Chance Rescue:

Warning: Be careful of impostor accounts on Venmo that may use slightly different names.

We will never stop fighting for the voiceless — the animals who cannot speak for themselves and who suffer at the hands of cruelty. Every paw, every whisker, every innocent life matters.

As long as there is even one animal in need, we will be there, rescuing, healing, and giving hope. Share Luna’s story if you agree!

 

No animal should ever be left to fend for itself on the streets — but sadly, it happens all too often. That’s why Sonia Antonela Costas made it her mission to protect vulnerable animals in her Romanian town.

Running Sonia’s Safe Animal Haven from her own home, Costas has, with the help of her son Alex and partner organizations like Inge2TheRescue, saved hundreds of dogs and cats from certain danger.

Two years ago, Sonia created a foundation and obtained all the necessary licenses.

She had hoped that people in Romania would come together to help build a proper shelter, allowing her to save even more animals. The mayor assisted by providing a piece of land, but it remains empty because there haven’t been enough donations to start construction for the “Save Animal Haven.” In the meantime, all the rescued dogs, cats, and goats are being cared for at Sonia’s home.

But despite financial struggles and other challenges, Sonia doesn’t give up

Recently, she received a call that broke her heart. The mayor told her about a group of baby animals struggling near a dumpster. When Costas arrived, she discovered seven newborn puppies — just two days old — huddled together in the trash.

”How heartless can you be?” she later wrote on Facebook.

Abandonment like this is unfortunately common in the area, with many people walking past animals in need without a second thought. But Costas refuses to be discouraged. ”People tell us that we are crazy because we save animals,” she told The Dodo. ”But we don’t care.”

Carefully, Costas scooped up the tiny pups and placed them in a blanket-lined box with a warm water bottle. She rushed them to the vet, where they received treatment for hypothermia.

With the help of local authorities, she tracked down the person responsible for abandoning the pups, and located their mother.

To her surprise, the puppies had an eighth sibling who had been staying safely with mom all along. The entire family was reunited, finally safe and together.

Thanks to Costas’ efforts and the support of law enforcement, the pups are now out of danger, receiving care and love while waiting for their forever homes.

”Their future will be nice,” Costas shared. ”We will try to find them a forever home.”

From abandoned and alone to warm, loved, and reunited, these puppies are proof that one determined rescuer can change the lives of an entire family of animals.

Big thanks to Sonia for all she does for these animals!

Sonia writes on her Facebook page that she is still in urgent need of donations to help more animals like these rescued puppies. If you’d like to support Sonia’s Safe Animal Haven, you can make a donation using the following bank information: RO87 INGB 0000 9999 1662 6212, Romania.

To follow Sonia’s ongoing rescue work and stay updated on her lifesaving efforts, you can follow Sonia’s Safe Animal Haven on Facebook.

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Wouldn’t it be amazing if our pets could actually talk to us? Most of the time, their wagging tails or happy barks say more than enough — but imagine being able to have a real conversation with them!

One dog owner decided to make that dream come true, sort of. In a now-viral video, he gave his dog, Clyde, a hilarious “voice-over” as they had what might be the funniest pretend chat ever caught on camera.

The clip starts with the owner casually telling Clyde about his trip to the pet store. Their “conversation” goes something like this:

“Yeah, I looked at the mice.”
“Ye.”
“Gerbils.”
“Ye.”
“Parrots.”
“Ye.”
“Newts.”
“Ye.”
“Hamsters.”
“Ye.”
“Kittens.”
“Y—OH OH THAT’S IT! THAT’S WHERE YOU STOP!”

Clyde’s over-the-top reaction to the word “kittens” is absolutely priceless — you can practically feel his excitement when he realizes he’s getting a new furry family member.

The video has now been watched more than 41 million times, with viewers saying they can’t stop laughing. One commenter wrote, “This never gets old,” and honestly, we couldn’t agree more.

Clyde’s “conversation” proves what pet lovers already know — even without words, animals have so much to say.

 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine hasn’t just torn families apart – countless animals have been affected as well.

Anastasiia Arana owned her dream horse for just six months. Then the war swept through her city. Skadovsk, a port town on the Black Sea in southern Ukraine’s Kherson region, was caught in the chaos back in 2021.

Families fled for their lives. Anastasiia had to leave her hometown. And her beloved horse, Helvetica, had to stay behind.

“I thought I’d see her again in two weeks… but that never happened,” she recalls in an interview with We Love Animals.

For a year, she received photos and updates.

Helvetica seemed okay, until things turned dire.

The horse club where she was kept became unsafe, and the owners themselves had to leave. By autumn 2023, Helvetica was starving, her condition worsening by the day. Determined, she searched desperately for a way to bring her horse out of the region, occupied by Russian forces.

Borders were closed, even for humans. But Anastasiia found one man who had successfully rescued horses before, and they launched a fundraising campaign.

But hope didn’t come easy. When the rescue attempt began, Russian authorities caught wind. Soldiers and police blocked the horse’s evacuation.

“They had guns and said, ‘This horse will stay here,’” she says. The driver had no choice but to return empty-handed.

It felt impossible.

And yet… in December 2023, a true miracle happened. The Russian administration changed. The horse could leave. Helvetica, exhausted but calm, stepped into the trailer as if she knew freedom was waiting.

“When I received the call that she was okay, I nearly cried. I couldn’t believe it—we actually did it. She’s safe.”

In January 2024, she finally crossed into Poland to reunite with Helvetica. Two years apart melted away in an instant. Tears, laughter, and the sound of hooves meeting the ground, her dream had come true.

“I want to spend every day with her,” she says. “I just want to give her the happy life she deserves. She survived, and so did hope.”

See the reunion here:

In a world of chaos and heartbreak, this story reminds us: miracles still happen, and love knows no borders.

 

When a stray dog is pregnant, the odds are grim.

Many are unable to care for their puppies — or even themselves — and tragically, most don’t survive long enough to give birth.

But this story is different.

There are roughly 50-70 million feral cats in the US and as many as 8 million stray dogs. Those numbers are increasing every year.

This momma dog had already delivered her litter when she was rescued. Imagine her fear and heartbreak when she was taken to a shelter without her puppies…

Her eyes say it all — she thought she’d never see her babies again. The relief was clear when the puppies were found and brought to safety.

As one little pup crawled over her paws to get closer, she gently snuggled another under her chin. Look closely, you can almost see her tears.

A soft pat on her head reassured her that everything would be okay. She and her litter had been saved from almost certain death on the streets.

Not every shelter takes in pregnant dogs, and many of these moms are the hardest to rehome. But there are individuals and organizations dedicated to giving these dogs a second chance.

If you’re thinking about adding a dog to your family, consider adoption. Choosing a shelter pet could save not just one life, but an entire litter. Share this story and help spread the word!