Our Story
Built by People Who Know What It Means to Fight for Something
Tennessee Jed's Rescue was founded by women and veterans in South Berwick, Maine — people who understand service, sacrifice, and second chances.
How It Started
One Dog Changed Everything
It started with Tennessee Jed — a little black pup found at the treeline beside a rural road in Tennessee, clinging to a stranger's neck like he already knew kindness when he felt it. He is the kind of dog that looks right through you. The kind that makes you realize you can't walk away.
The women who founded this rescue had already given years of service — to their country, their communities, their families. When they met Jed, they saw something familiar: resilience, loyalty, and a desperate need for someone to believe in them. They couldn't say no.
Gk and tracy hague
How Jed Found His Way to Us
"He immediately gave me a shivering hug and clung to me."
Tracy Hague had an appointment in town Saturday morning and when she got back she told me (GK) about a dog on the side of the road and a puppy nearby. Not an uncommon thing here, we've seen it before.
We were heading back out to the local Amish farm to do some shopping and drove by the spot, and I saw a dog laying in the roadside gully. We didn't go far and I asked her to turn around so we could check it out. We got back and pulled over and I saw a female dog laying there, dead from something. Tracy then mentioned she'd seen another so I went to the treeline and started calling out. In seconds, a little black pup came out from the brush and shyly made his way to me. I picked him up and he immediately gave me a shivering hug and clung to me.
Someone else pulled over and moved the other dog to the woods. Jed was still hugging and licking my neck. We knew we had to do something for him. Tracy headed to the store to get puppy food and training pads while I got a ride home with Jed. We set up a confined space in our back room, gave him water, and as soon as Tracy got home, fed him some puppy food, which he devoured.
Jed was nothing but a loving and cuddling puppy, wanting nothing more than to be with one of us. Whenever we took him out to the yard he would follow along and romp in the grass. We got a few zoomies from him too. He was everything a happy-go-lucky pup should be.
It was bittersweet passing him to Danielle, but he took to her as he did Tracy and I — and I knew that she and Kelly would give him all he needed.
— GK Hague, the man who found Tennessee Jed
In a world full of chaos, kindness matters. We're so grateful for the Hagues — they truly, miraculously saved Tennessee Jed. And now he's making his final leg to Maine, where he'll soon have a home in New England.
The Journey
Tennessee to Maine
Four days with the Hagues, a handoff full of love, a vet check, and a road trip north. Here's Jed's journey in pictures.
Service First
Founded by veterans and women who believe in showing up — for dogs, for each other, and for the community.
Every Dog Counts
We don't turn away the hard cases. The scared ones, the overlooked ones — those are exactly who we're here for.
Rooted in Maine
South Berwick is home. We're a small, local rescue — not a corporation. Every decision is made by people who care deeply.
The People Behind the Mission
Meet the Founders
Tennessee Jed's Rescue is run by a small, dedicated group of women and veterans who volunteer their time, open their homes, and pour their hearts into every dog that comes through our doors. We don't have a big staff or a fancy facility — just people who refuse to give up on animals who deserve better.
Be Part of What We're Building
Whether you adopt, foster, donate, or volunteer — you become part of Tennessee Jed's story. And every story matters.