With Hope and Action, All Things Are Possible

The Story of Hope

"Giant dogs like Hope are euthanized and dumped at shelters every day in the United States."

The House of Hope Animal Sanctuary and Rescue is a Virginia licensed 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue founded in loving memory of Hope Robinson. Hope was a giant, black coated, Rottweiler and Bernese Mountain Dog mix. She was rescued from a high kill shelter at the age of 18 months - a day before she was scheduled to be euthanized. She had only been at the shelter 9 days.

She was captured by animal control after running loose in 100-degree heat for at least three days in White Plains, Maryland. She was named Hope during this time by her eventual owner, who was one of several people trying to bring her to safety. When Hope was captured, she had no collar on and had not been micro-chipped for identification.

After adoption, it became obvious that Hope had lived her life in a crate. She did not know how to walk up the stairs, had never received basic obedience training, had food and dog aggression, and was likely being trained to dog fight. Hope also needed immediate medical attention. She was not spayed and had multiple infections.

After being adopted, Hope was given Medical Treatment, and Behavioral Training. Hope left us on October 21, 2024, at approximately 13.5 years of age.

She loved peanut butter and cheese. She loved to play fetch, sleep on her back in the living room, and sit on her mom's lap, as if she weighed 10 pounds instead of approximately 115 pounds. Although she looked menacing to some, Hope was a loving, sweet dog who was kind to children and never met a stranger. Her dog mom misses her "little girl" every single day and will love her forever.