Source: Animal Resource Center
Ella, a longtime rescue dog at the Animal Resource Center in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, found her forever home in what the shelter described as an "extremely special adoption."
The Animal Resource Center stated that Ella had been at the shelter for the last seven years. She held the title of the longest resident.
Kaitlyn, a woman who recently lost her dog Jo and was ready for a new companion, reached out to the adoption center, expressing interest in Ella.
Source: Animal Resource Center
When Ella met Kaitlyn, the staff observed an instant connection. Unlike her usual need for multiple visits to warm up to strangers, Ella approached Kaitlyn with no hesitation.
“She immediately walked over to Kaitlyn with no hesitation, allowing her to give Ella scratches and pets right away,” the center said.
At the end of the showing, the staff noticed Kaitlyn getting emotional as she looked at the bandana Ella was wearing around her neck.
Source: Animal Resource Center
A teary Kaitlyn then told the staff that the bandana belonged to Jo. She said she donated it to the center after her dog died.
“This bandana Ella is wearing is Jo’s. I donated them all here when he passed,” Kaitlyn said, showing a picture of Jo wearing it.
The center said the realization caused tears to fill the eyes of staff members as well: “Out of the 20 dogs in our shelter right now, this bandana, Jo’s bandana, was on Ella.”
Indicating that it was meant to be, Kaitlyn told the center, “I like to think of it as Jo’s stamp of approval.”
Source: Animal Resource Center
After seven years and this emotional visit, Ella finally got adopted.
The staff at the Animal Resource Center, touched by the special connection, bid farewell to the morning ritual of Ella popping up from her bed to greet them at the kennel door.
“We’ll miss that tomorrow; it’ll be such a bittersweet moment realizing that as we pause to reflect on a few of our favorite times with Ella—but my goodness, the amount of pure happiness we will feel every day knowing Ella finally got what she deserved: ELLA GOT ADOPTED.”
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