Against All Odds

Courage comes in all shapes, sizes and species—three-year-old Faith is a one-of-a-kind miracle! Born with severely deformed front legs, the tiny pup was rescued by the Stringfellow family after the mother dog was found trying to smother her. Faith could only move by dragging herself along the floor, a habit the veterinarian said would rub a hole in her chest and chin. Although their vet recommended they put Faith down, Jude and the family chose to give her a home.

The family trained Faith by holding a spoonful of peanut butter above her. They motioned for her to come and rejoiced in every small victory. "When she took that first hop, we totally rewarded her with peanut butter and gummy bears and hugs and kisses," says Jude, Faith's adoptive mother.

Watch Faith the Dog walk! 

Jude's daughter, Laura, says seeing Faith walk for the first time caused the whole family's jaws to drop. "It was like seeing a baby ... take their first steps," she says. "You're like, 'My baby—she can walk!"