For a father like John Ramer, who has three daughters, Uno was the closest thing he had to a son.
Their story didn’t start with adoption like most people. It began with a rescue operation like no other. Some rescue organizations go out to save one dog at a time, but John and his team in Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary had the biggest rescue of their lives, saving 4,000 dogs.
Uno was one of the first batches of dogs they saved.
They were tapped by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other organizations for the Beagle Dream Team. The team aimed to rescue 4,000 beagles from Envigo Breeding Facility, a breeding laboratory.
Kindness Ranch did its part in saving hundreds of dogs.
They brought their dog to their ranch to ensure they could recover from their pitiful ordeal in the facility. Kindness Ranch is the perfect organization and sanctuary since they focus on rescuing and rehabilitating laboratory research animals.
Their location in Rolling Hills, Guernsey State Park in Southeastern Wyoming, gives that calming environment for animals to feel safe and free.
Their goal was to adopt these dogs to have a forever home. But not Uno.
It started right after rescue when John had to separate Uno from the rest of the pack because he was very noisy.
He was also unsure when he was inside the cage, and John had to slowly win him over and convince the poor pup that he was already in a safe place.
Little by little, Uno opened himself up to John and his family.
He loved following John around, even if it meant doing chores around the farm. He was the first one up the trailer or cart when they needed to go to the field or stables. It’s like he was made to have this job that he truly enjoyed.
One day, John took Uno to the field because he had never experienced walking on grass before.
The moment Uno stepped foot on the grassy plains, he was ecstatic. He ran around, happy and free. Then, he raised his front legs asking John to pick him up. John did, and then he knew Uno wasn’t going anywhere – he found a new home with the Ramers.
Every day after that, Uno was like a different dog.
According to John, he looks at his new ‘son,’ and he can see how Uno has grown confident being in their home. He didn’t need any reminder or reassurance that he was safe with them because he already knew that.
Uno also shared his safety with other dogs like Cammie.
She was Uno’s girl (girlfriend, best friend – whatever she was to Uno).
Cammie was also Kindness Ranch’s rescue from another facility, and Uno knew exactly what to do with her. He filled her with love and gave her that same assurance that John and his family did to him – that she was safe now.
Uno slowly showed his true colors – an energetic dog full of life and promise.
John loved seeing this tiny pooch run, play, and wrestle around with other animals like he was of a bigger breed. We could say that he loves his new larger-than-life self.
Watch how Uno captured John’s heart in the video below. You can also visit Kindness Ranch to learn how to help their cause.
