This year's Sam the Wonder Dog is a very special edition. Sam the Wonder Dog No. 003 is a dog that changed our lives, healed our souls and gave us the inspiration to create our rescue/fundraising organization The Iron Angels Rescue Club. Edition No 003 is in memory of South Suburban's very own, Dino.

Dino was the "poster child" for what we in the rescue work would consider an "Unadoptable Dog." He was a black pit bull, old, and a stray with cropped ears. He had little expression on his face so you never really knew what he was thinking behind those dark soulful eyes that would have made an unbeatable poker face. We took Dino in as a foster, having no idea what he would bring to our lives in the upcoming months.

Dino made himself at home and immediately took over best friend status to our six year old son, following him all over the yard and playing Legos together on a daily basis. He was everything an "unadoptable dog" shouldn't be. He was so kind and had the patience of a saint, especially to a tiny little ninja kitten who thought Dino was the coolest dog on the south side and never left him alone. After a few short days, we knew Dino wasn't going anywhere and we adopted him.

Through the next few months Dino made friends everywhere he went. Everyone that met him said they didn't know what it was about him, but he was special. A good friend of mine met Dino once and had tears in her eyes when she told me "He has an unexplainable aura that made you feel better just being near him" and I couldn't have said it better myself.

Dino got sick and we knew we didn't have much time left with him. So we made every day count and worked hard to make those last months the best for an old guy that brought so much light into our lives. He went on walks, car rides and had his raw food meals made fresh for him on a daily basis

In December 2024, Dino passed away peacefully in his sleep in our bed surrounded by his family.

In the upcoming months Dino's legacy lived on to create The Iron Angel's Rescue Club.

None of us knew on that hot summer day when we brought an old dog home to spend what little time he had left being loved, that he would in turn change our lives forever.

This year for the 2025 Gala, it was a no brainer who our Sam the Wonder dog edition would be. We sincerely hope Dino blesses the home of his new adopter with all the good aura he brought to our lives. We made Dino a little extra special by mixing his ashes in with his heart so he will forever live on with your family bringing you love, light, happiness and act as a reminder to why we rescue.

Here is "to Dino" and teaching us all to never judge a book by its cover. Take the chance and adopt someone "unadoptable" because they might change your life too.