Payton was a sickly "mess" when he came to the Will County Humane Society, but a retired nurse adopted him and did what she knew she could do. She nursed him back to health.

Wilson has been a survivor since his days as a puppy, first overcoming regular seizures and then surviving a tornado that seriously damaged his home.

 Ellie, an American Staffordshire terrier, was born deaf, but that hasn't stopped this pretty girl from living her best life while getting a boyfriend at the dog park.

Stanley is a lovable mix of seven different breeds. After losing a close family member to a battle with depression, his owner says that "he makes even our darkest days bright."

Woodie was found as a puppy, with his back paws completely severed; he illustrates how important it is to give animals a second chance on life.

Gio is a little dog with a big heart. He weighs in at less than 10 pounds — 9.8 pounds to be exact — but he has enough love for a dog 10 times his size.