When Symone, 36, rescued a pit bull from a fighting house, "Judge" soon became a part of a loving home that included two other dogs, four cats, two birds and two ferrets. Tragically, the family's house was destroyed in a horrific fire that claimed 9 of the 11 animals. Though Judge survived, he had third degree burns over 40 percent of his body. "We made a mutual agreement that we were going to focus on Judge," Symone tearful explains, "and all the money would go to him because we felt that he was putting up such a fight to live and be with us that we owed it to him."

As Judge's medical bills started to pile up, seventh grade teacher Kate Friedman caught wind of the story and brought it to her class at North Plainfield Middle School. She explains, "As a persuasive writing exercise, I had all of my students write persuasive letters to Rachael Ray hoping for a donation for the family." After receiving the letters, Rachael provided the family with $10,000 from her Rachael's Rescue fund to cover the remainder of Judge's treatments. "It's a huge weight off of my back that he will soon be whole again," Symone says. "His one side will always be burned and not have hair, but he's Judge; knowing what he went through and how strong he's been makes me realize there's hope at the end of the tunnel."