All things must reach a conclusion eventually, and farewells are often the most distressing.
Among the most heart-wrenching situations is certainly the departure of a dog from its cherished family. Yet at times, it is simply necessary.
After 11 joyful years with her family, a canine named Pretty Girl unexpectedly found herself in a frigid and bustling shelter, searching for a new abode.
Thankfully, this elder dog did not need to linger long for a joyful conclusion, and the cause will astonish you.
Loud Shelter Wasn’t Her Preference
This 11-year-old canine suddenly found herself in an unfamiliar space… at the Seattle Humane Shelter, amidst other raucous dogs, an atmosphere she was unaccustomed to.
“Pretty Girl was turned over to a shelter in Central Washington by her original guardians after 11 years due to the continuous stress from a new infant in the household. We brought her to Seattle Humane through our Lifesaver Rescue transfer initiative on Oct. 24,” Brandon Macz, Seattle Humane’s PR & social media representative, shared with PEOPLE.
Spending 11 years in a loving home is undoubtedly a significant duration for a dog. It’s no wonder this girl appeared “shut down” upon arriving at the shelter.
Nonetheless, she swiftly captured the hearts of nearly all staff members, and her endearing glances particularly won over Macz.
“The way she gazed at me, I couldn’t resist entering her kennel and sitting beside her. It was astonishing how quickly she climbed onto my lap and craved affection,” he reminisces.
It was an instant connection, and Macz felt compelled to do everything within his ability to assist this dog.
The Video Captivated People’s Hearts
As Macz held the position of social media specialist at the shelter, he opted to film a video with Pretty Girl and share it across all the shelter’s media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
As she was a senior canine, finding a new home is more challenging for older dogs, so he believed this action would significantly aid her in achieving her goal. He couldn’t have been more right.
The video received a “positive reaction” on both Instagram and Facebook, while it experienced a “surge” on TikTok. In mere days, it accumulated several hundred thousand views.
This heartwarming clip showcases Pretty Girl perched on Macz’s lap as he reassures her that she will soon discover a caring family, and her gaze captures hearts.
@seattlehumane Not everyone goes home forever 😓#adoptme #animalshelter #seattle #seniordog #shelterdog #foryou #dogsoftiktok #adoptdontshop ♬ My Love Mine All Mine – Mitski
Although some remarks were directed towards the insensitivity of her prior owners, the majority were supportive. Before long, individuals from across the nation began reaching out to the shelter, eager to adopt this adorable doggo.
“She had numerous admirers from all over the country emailing or calling into our adoption team, expressing their readiness to purchase a plane ticket to get to Pretty Girl,” Macz asserted with pride.
It was only a matter of time until the ideal match surfaced.
It Was Her Pass to a New Dwelling
Pretty Girl’s new guardians discovered her through a Facebook update from Seattle Humane. They were a delightful elderly couple capable of offering her a serene, nurturing home.
The staff at the shelter, particularly her cherished Macz, were thrilled and immensely proud.
They shared a video expressing their farewell to Pretty Girl. This moment was simultaneously sorrowful yet one of the most joyful for Macz and the shelter’s team.
Shortly thereafter, Pretty Girl’s new mother, Judith Sugiura, shared a progress report on Facebook, stating: “She enjoys car rides, follows me everywhere, and is adapting well. After a cozy and snuggly night, she is wagging her tail this morning and has eaten, so I believe she will settle in shortly. She appreciates full-body contact and rolled onto her back this morning for belly rubs. I think she has a gentle spirit and will sit on my lap and rest her head on my shoulder. We are so grateful for the chance to welcome her into our lives.”
Sooner than anticipated, Pretty Girl experienced her happiest conclusion, and the shelter would simply be a brief chapter in her journey.
Yet, simultaneously, it will be a cherished memory since it is the place where she secured her ticket to a new chapter in life.