30+ Photos of Dogs Before & After Their Adoption That Melted Our Hearts

Everybody loves when a shaggy dog story turns into a rags-to-riches tale, so today, we’re celebrating dogs who were saved from the puppy pound and given new lives. It's also a celebration of the compassionate human heroes who rescued them. Some started out mistreated, malnourished, and scared before blossoming into magnificent, gorgeous woofers. These heartwarming before and after photos show just how much finding a forever home means to these grateful pups.

These two pups were inside, doing a 20-stretch for aiding and a-petting and committing pawjury. But then they gave a visitor their best puppy dog eyes, and who could resist? Soon, they were handed a get-out-of-jail-free card and went from cellmates to lifemates when they were adopted and given a forever home. Now, the two ex-cellmates, who we’re calling Bonnie and Clyde, act as getaway drivers for bank robbers... when they can remember not to get too excited!

This is Apollo. At one stage, he would fit in the palm of your hand. Even as an abandoned puppy, he was adorable, but he needed a lot of love to grow up to be such a handsome boy. His name is very appropriate because Apollo is named after the Greek god of healing (among many other things like the sun, music, and archery). Apollo loves walkies, hanging out with his forever dad, and causing havoc! And the bigger he gets, the more havoc he will cause!

“Toby or not Toby? That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of living in the pound, or to live like a king, taking up a whole king-size bed.” Poor Toby used to drink water from a metal bucket and use a plastic crate as a pillow. But after his new owners took him home, he's the lord of the manor. His new mom and dad have to turn and plump his pillows for him every hour. What a lucky boy!

Vivacious Vizsla Harper had been returned to the shelter three times before her first birthday. But when her new owners saw her, they had to help. They wrote online, “The last year with her has been anything but easy, and she tests us almost every day.” They continued, “But she is the light of our life, and we couldn't imagine what we would do without her. We are so filled with joy anytime she smiles and curls up in bed, knowing that she has finally found her home!”