A timid stray dog named Faline was rescued, appearing so fragile that her savior, one of the Keilbach sisters, feared for her survival.
The sisters spent more than two and a half weeks trying to catch her, and when they finally did, Faline was still very reserved and wary. However, with time, she began to understand she was in a safe space, thanks to the sisters’ patience.
Successfully rescuing Faline was just the beginning; the sisters then faced the significant task of finding her the perfect home. Through their efforts, they created a heartwarming success narrative.
The Rescue of Faline
Faline was found on Saipan, the largest island in the Northern Mariana Islands, where the challenges of adopting rescue dogs are significant.
“She was incredibly shy, deeply cautious of us, yet you could see her desire for love,” stated Grace Keilbach from Boonie Babies Saipan, during a conversation with The Dodo.
Faline is among many dogs on Saipan island, affectionately referred to as “boonie dogs.”
Boonie dogs descend from brave combat dogs that were brought to the island during World War II. After the conflict, many of these dogs were either lost or abandoned.
The rescue reports that Boonie Dogs are a diverse mix of bloodhounds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Labradors, German Shepherds, among others.
“Today, the unique breeds within the genepool are almost unrecognizable in these dogs due to isolation, crossbreeding, and the variety of the dog population—these Boonie Dogs have become their own “breed”, known as American Village Dogs, appearing in various shapes, sizes, and colors,” as mentioned on the rescue’s website.
When the sisters brought Faline to their home, there were moments when something clicked, and she instinctively understood their intentions to help her.
“In Saipan, finding homes for dogs is challenging, but we loved this girl so much and were determined to find her a wonderful family,” Grace Keilbach remarked.
The situation became clearer when they remembered their younger sister’s impending birthday; they concluded that her family would surely be the best fit to adopt Faline.
However, overcoming the obstacle of transporting Faline to the mainland U.S. posed a new challenge for the sisters.
The Journey to Her New Home
Finding a way to transport Faline took nearly six months, as the process of getting dogs off the island is incredibly challenging. Sadly, no one on the island wanted to adopt this precious girl.
At last, after months of searching, a spot opened up on a plane for Faline.
“That morning, we were in tears. It was such a thrilling moment for us since it was the first time we managed to relocate a dog off the island. We were ecstatic and almost couldn’t believe it was really happening,” shared Aria Keilbach with The Dodo.
When Faline eventually reached Colorado, she was still somewhat shy and hesitant, but she quickly adjusted to her new surroundings.
Now, she has become a cherished part of the Keilbach family, with everyone embracing her, especially Ava, Grace, and Aria’s little sister.
“She’s incredibly sweet. This is fantastic,” expressed Ava.
Faline’s days are now filled with walks, playtime, tasty treats, and endless cuddles—she is truly in her happy place.
“Other Boonie dogs aren’t as fortunate as Faline. When we first transported her to the mainland, we hoped she would be the first of many, but sadly she was the only one for quite some time,” the Keilbach sisters wrote.
Thousands of dogs remain stranded on Saipan, hoping to find their forever homes, and these sisters are tirelessly working to make that a reality.
Please support their cause and the important work they are doing. Here’s how you can assist Boonie Babies!
