Faith welcomes you with hugs and licks!
Faith is an incredible dog. She was born just before Christmas in 2002, and we were lucky enough to have her in our family just 3 short weeks later. She was born to a mother dog, believed to be nearly full blooded Chinese Chow Chow, along with several other siblings. Faith wasn't the only puppy born with deformities, but because "Princess", her mother, was not our dog, we are not sure of the exact number of puppies she gave birth to. It is certain, however, that Faith was the only puppy with deformities to live.
Faith was rescued by my son Reuben on January 21, 2003, when he and his friend Johnny, the owner of Princess, jumped over the fence of the flea market area that Princess was raised to guard. Princess isn't exactly the mothering kind. She was literally terminating Faith's life because she knew instinctively that Faith was unable to battle the other puppies for a place to feed. Faith was weak, small, runtish, and mostly she was nearly dead. Reuben grabbed Faith out from under Princess and smuggled her under his jersey. He wore #63 for the Putnam City Pirates football team.
When Reuben brought Faith to us she had 3 actual legs, but the left front leg was badly deformed, placed backward, upside down, and it had more toes on it than normal dog legs. The leg was removed when she was 7 months old when it began to atrophy. People ask me if it was easy to teach Faith to walk upright...the answer is NO! It was not easy, and it was not natural. It was SUPER natural, and therefore, we have to give all of the credit to Jesus. Of course, it took a little....Faith as well.
What you may or may not realize is that Faith was given an Honorary Commission as an E5 SGT in the U.S. Army in June 2006. She was commissioned out of Ft. Lewis near Seattle, WA. There were many many soldiers and civilians in attendance who cheered her on as she accepted her Commission. It was just suppose to be for an hour, but you know, when you're in the Army you're IN the Army. She proudly holds her head up - wearing her custom made ACU jacket (Thanks Jason) with the American flag and the Department of Defense patch as well. She is a therapy dog, and that is also reflected on the ACU jacket. She actually out ranks my son who is at this time an E4 Specialist. Faith can not be deployed and she enjoys no official benefits...but she gives a lot of love and encouragement to the men and women of our Armed Forces - all branches. Hooah!
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A precious animal. I noticed most of the comments were overwhelmingly positive but they'll always be some "miserables" out there that don't get it. God bless 'em. I think it's amazing that her son paid attention and had the empathy and courage to rescue this dog and then for this lady to work with this beautiful dog like she did is something that most people would never take the time to do. I can imagine that the time and money sacrificies have been great for her in this endeavor and WAY TO GO that she might make some money off this book. That would be wonderful and I hope she does...I'll buy several. The point is that she didn't DO THIS for that reason. That's really the point. Actually the way it's supposed to work, (a little of the subject), is that the one that touches. enriches and adds value earns money based on how many people they do that for. Jude from another animal rescuer, thanks so much for what you did and are doing and I hope you have a best seller. Will this post serve as one of the needed emails?
Leigh
Nashville, TN
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. I love dogs and animals in general and I know some of them come to this world to teach us lessons and help us to be better human beings.
Faith's story is indeed inspirational. As the owner of 13 rescued dogs, I'm only too aware of the love, devotion and unconditional affection that our canine friends give to us. Those who have suffered the most seem to me to be the ones who give the most and show true faith and allegiance to their human companions. Prior to becoming part of my family, my own dogs have been either beaten, neglected, starved, abused in many ways or in one case, used as bait for fighting dogs to practice on. Yet, each and everyone has been trained to live full, rewarding and happy lives in our home.
Faith is the perfect example of how a dog can overcome the most tragic disability with the love, care and understanding of a loving human family. In return, she gives back so much, and seeing her, happy and contended with her life, is surely the greatest reward Jude could have asked for from the first day she took responsibility for Faith and her future.
Jude, you and Faith are terrific. Me, Tilly and my whole pack of rescued dogs salute you, and send out best wishes from across the pond.
Best wishes
Harry Porter
Author of the award winning Tilly's Tale
Some animals are born to help us understand how to love. Faith is one of those miraculous little beings. Even half dead, she inspired an act of love and compassion. Certainly those two boys had no idea of profiting by their kindness, yet look how they have been repaid by this helpless little creature. Look deeply into the eyes of your animal companions, and you will see such innocence and such pure love. I'd be terribly lonely without my two kitties, Max and Murphy, and I'm grateful for their unfailing love and companionship. They are a blessing to me, as Faith is a blessing to the world.
THANK YOUUUUUUUU for sharing the love, hope, courage and bravery of Diva Faith. Speaking of love, I am IN LOVE with the child, I have never been more inspired and haven't the words to describe my awe and admiration. The only family I have anywhere in the world are five four-legged children but for whom I wouldn't be. The love between our most innocents and their adopted families is a love unparalleled. Faith is among my heroes, her strength an inspiration for all. I look forward to meeting the amazing Faith and learning from her. I can't wait to hug and kiss her back. PEOPLE, please, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. Whatever the motives of Faith's family and where they draw their strength from is secondary to them gifting us with a true miracle. Must we criticize everyone and everything and/or look for motives???!!! GOD BLESS FAITH, GOD BLESS HER FAMILY AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.
P.S.
I am also Jewish which does not preclude other beliefs which are equally profound.
I think what Faith is doing is miraculous! Animals have such a wonderful effect on humans (some humans that is) and if I were an injured soldier I would feel blessed. Like humans, animals have feelings too and can sense emotions pretty well. It doesn't seem to me that this is a "scam for money", but just for the simle fact that what you did may have touched someone's life forever. Kudos to Faith for being brave and overcoming something that may have brought you down!
Regarding Faith's quality of life, she lives with a loving family, plus a few dogs and cats. In other words, she has an "ideal" dog life. Most people would have put her down, her own mother tried to kill her. The Stringfellows have given her the gift of life, and in her own way she gives back.
Faith gladly shares her "joie de vivre" - and Jude and Faith make many trips to military bases and hospitals for no compensation, as a service, tribute, and inspiration to our troops.
People think that Jude is rolling in the dough because of Faith, but actually she is a struggling single mom like many others.
And a percentage of Jude's profits are donated to causes she believes in like CARE animal shelter in Strawn Texas.
So please do not be quick to judge a situation about which you know very few of the details.
Faith and Jude are having a good life, but they are hardly wealthy from Faith's service and therapy work.
DISCLAIMER: As webmaster for this web site, I have come to know Jude very well, her special concern for Faith's well-being, and her love of humanity. So I think I can speak of these things on her behalf.
i applaud you for your faith in this dog, and for inspiring so many people around the world.
but what started of as faith has turned to a money making scheme. Please, your Jesus will be very sad, you know.
Faith might be an inspirational dog now yes but more then ,she is making money for her "owners" . This dog doesn't have and will never have the life she deserved and it is wrong to let her suffer. They should have helped the mother dog and put the pour thing to sleep.
I don't believe this is about making money for the owners. This is about showing people, children, young people, adults elderly, that anything is possible. Dogs help us in so many ways and the fact that this dog has moved through this and is able to walk, be happy let a lone the fact that a young person helped her as well as the family. This is a way to show people anything is possible, that they are able to help and the fact is- a human being was involved with the reason Faith is like this and that she went through this- this book will be able to show people WRONG.
What a wonderful son, Rueben. Some people think that teenagers don't take the time to look around them and see when others need help. I love the fact that he took the time to get Faith out of a hopeless situation. Look how much love she has given in return. Its truly a wonderful story. Jennifer
Faith is nothing short of a miracle.......look how many lives she's touched and the utter joy people get when they are around her....just goes to show that anything is possible!
God bless you, you sweet lil' girl!
so cute and brave .... best wishes to Faith
Jesus was responsible for this?...lol!
Make no mistake-God is in control.
I am Jewish and I found it in my heart to love Faith and believe she is a miracle. Please let's not debate religion here - if faith in Jesus caused Faith the Dog to be saved, so she can inspire others, then it cannot be a bad or ridiculous thing.
Give credit where credit is due...to you as owners and to Faith as an incredible canine... [ inappropriate content removed ] Keep up the wonderful work with Faith! She is truely a wonderful animal with wonderful caring owners.
no pun intended...
We've much, I think, to learn from our "kritters', although I'm not sure as to who outranks who on the "smartness" scale.
I keep coming back to this place, looking, watching, lurking......and being inspired.
Faith represents something so lacking nowadays in our culture. Meaning the odds were against her, but the Top Dog had other plans...she took those plans, found out that she didn't have all the equipment, persevered and adapted, and overcame it all.
All it took, was the spirit, and a little bit of kindness from "others" who helped her through the "dark times". Given that, you don't see her asking for a government subsidy because she has a problem. Given that, she doesn't blame anyone for her situation, rather, instead, she adapted to what Top Dog gave her, and in doing so has humbeled all of us who has a heart.
Come to think about what I know of her, she might be demanding of peanut butters, but that's all ....I think (jude, you spoiled that pups!)
Once again, I find myself standing in awe of what Top Dog can do, especially when us "humans" have a heart and are willing to intercede. There is a young man out there, if given a chance, I would shake his paws, probably give him a hug.
Class is class...period. Matters not it be it human, dog, or cat.
Here I'm seeing the best of our world has to offer, our culture, our lives...It doesn't get any better than this.
In closing, I just would like to submit....Dog spelled backwards is.....
hi paws
Happy Birthday Faith. You are a wonderful inspiration to everyone. What a Christmas Blessing!
I wanted to give the book as Christmas presents has it been released yet?
Faith is a truly inspirational doggy , thanks soo much for allowing us all into her world. You are one super family and we all are proud of you.
any help needed dont hesitate to email us at








"Where there is life there is hope, where there is care there is life"
Gary M Dean