Time was certainly not on his side.
Alan had mere seconds to make the decision to save Pearl’s life and just 24 hours to reach her in Los Angeles.
When it matters most, time feels like it slips away from you. It vanishes.
Pearl was the first in line to face euthanasia. This lovely Pitbull had run out of time. Alan was her sole hope.
Would this courageous man manage to reach her in time?
Could Pearl be saved and finally find a loving home?
Every Minute Counts
It was still early morning when Alan arrived at the airport with a bag in hand and a singular thought: Pearl, the Pitbull he was determined to rescue from euthanasia.
It should have been a straightforward trip; get on the plane, disembark, and rush to the shelter for Pearl. The shelter staff assured him that they would keep her until 3:30 PM. Everything seemed to be on track.
Filled with hope and anticipation that Pearl would soon find safety in a new home, Alan landed in Los Angeles.
But then, complications arose. The traffic was horrendous—a typical situation in LA. Alan found himself speeding, anxious that he wouldn’t arrive in time.
“I kept calling the shelter nonstop, ensuring everything was alright. I’m on my way, praying I’ll get there in time,” Alan shared in the video for The Dodo.
Luckily, he arrived with just minutes to spare. It was a close call, but Alan’s mission was a triumph.
Pearl was set aside for Alan until 3:30 PM that day. She started her freedom walk at 3:25!
If the traffic had been any worse, or if he’d taken a break, Alan would have missed his window, and Pearl would have lost her chance.
Freedom Tastes So Sweet
Pearl is undeniably a stunning dog. Her gentle nature shone brightly, and Alan could see it the moment he took her in.
After enduring so much time in a shelter without freedom and a loving family, Pearl truly deserved some joy. Alan was determined to treat his beautiful new friend.
He took her to experience her first In-N-Out burger, the best spot in town. It was delicious.
Pearl relished her first meal of freedom, one that tasted better than anything she had ever had.
But that was not the end of the festivities. Alan had more surprises in store for Pearl. He took her shopping for toys. It appeared to be her first time indulging in such a treat, and it likely was.
To cap off the day, Alan brought Pearl to a spacious, dog-friendly hotel room where she luxuriated on the bed as if she were royalty. She sprawled out on the soft mattress, finally feeling secure for the first time in her life.
Goodbye Tastes Bittersweet
Alan’s goal was to save Pearl from euthanasia and find her a forever family. He believed she would be a perfect fit anywhere.
“She nestled into my arms as we rested in preparation for her significant travel day… which would lead her to a family she could truly call her own! I had never seen such a broad smile or felt an embrace so warm… it truly touched my heart on a chilly winter night in California,” recounted Alan on his Instagram.
On that morning, the drive to the airport was smooth and without any delays—a stark contrast to Alan’s arrival.
This time, time seemed to drag. Each minute spent with Pearl felt too fleeting.
At the airport, Pearl’s new family awaited her: a kind boy and his mother.
Pearl’s new home is spacious, offering plenty of room for her and her two canine siblings to frolic freely. It’s a paradise for dogs.
Alan receives regular updates about this sweet Pittie and how she’s thriving. And she’s doing absolutely wonderful.
If Alan had been delayed by even five minutes, Pearl might not be here today. This brave individual didn’t hesitate to buy a plane ticket to Los Angeles or tackle the long drive—all he could think about was rescuing Pearl.
For that, we are immensely grateful.
You can follow Alan and his adoption adventures on Instagram. I promise you there are more happy rescue tails waiting for you.
