It’s funny how sometimes we think we know someone…
When Dan and Kelsey Bradley decided to adopt a dog from the local Central Kentucky shelter, they were sure they were bringing home a Doxie.
But surprise! Fate had different plans.
The charming dog they were about to bring into their family wasn’t quite what she seemed.
Instead of the spirited Dachshund they expected, Dan and Kelsey welcomed…
What A Surprise!
Carolina Honey Maybell was just 10 months old when she became a part of Dan and Kelsey’s family. This sweet girl was introduced as a Doxie mix.
Raising a Dachshund pup can be quite the adventure, and the couple was all in.
“Being a shelter dog, we wanted to have a more holistic view of her so that we could anticipate any potential health issues or concerns,” Kelsey Bradley shared with Newsweek. “We were told she could be a dachshund mix because of an overabundance of unethical breeders in the area. We were informed she had been dumped at the back door of the shelter and she appeared to be a runt.”
After being cruelly abandoned, this pup found a loving home filled with care and attention.
Life was looking wonderful!
But it turned out that it could get even better.
Unsure about whether Carolina was really a Dachshund mix, Dan and Kelsey decided to run a DNA test.
She looked the part, behaved like one—she had to be a Dachshund, right?
*buzzer sound*
Incorrect.
It turns out that Carolina was a mix of Beagle and German Shepherd! What a surprise!
A Shelter Dog Is Our Favorite Breed Of Dog
Life may not always give you what you want, but it provides you with what you truly need.
Kelsey discovered that she needed a Beagle in her life to show her just how wonderful they could be. Before Carolina, she never had the desire to own one.
“We were taken aback by the results. Mainly because I had always told my husband I wasn’t interested in having a Beagle due to their reputation for being destructive and needing to hunt,” Kelsey remarked. “But Carolina has been the most delightful and unexpected surprise.”
It’s funny how misconceptions can be so misleading, isn’t it? If Kelsey hadn’t taken a chance on adopting a shelter dog, she might never have realized that every breed can be just as fun, loving, and affectionate. Carolina is a prime example.
This latest addition brought immense joy to the family, but the happiest of all was their first dog, Charlie, who was in need of a companion like Carolina.
“We needed to provide our dear Charlie with a friend, a companion. He had been feeling quite lonely. Then we brought Carolina home. He has never seemed more joyful to meet another dog,” Dan Bradley shared.
Charlie didn’t care that Carolina was a Beagle-German Shepherd mix—he simply wanted a friend to share his life with. And that’s precisely what he got.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what breed of dog you decide to adopt. Any dog has the potential to be a fantastic companion, whether it’s a Dachshund, Beagle, Poodle, or even a Doberman. To true dog lovers, the best and most cherished breed will always be the shelter dog.
The dog’s color, age, gender, or temperament don’t hold much importance. When you rescue a shelter dog, your life gains immeasurable value. You’re not just saving a life; you’re enhancing your own in the process.
Dan and Kelsey certainly experienced a delightful surprise with Carolina. Perhaps you could be the next person to save a pup in need.
