Some may sing about walking five hundred miles.
But I would walk, run, and even crawl much further just to be with my dog or to bring him home. There’s no limit a devoted dog owner won’t breach for the sake of their furry friends.
In the realm of love for animals, we all aspire to triumph, often bending the rules as we see fit—all in the name of helping our beloved dogs in need!
Carli Gaetano, hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, truly broke barriers in her quest.
She reached out to a shelter across the ocean, drawn to a dog whose time was running out, determined to provide him with a loving home—a true act of courage.
This is the remarkable journey of a rescue that spent two long years longing to experience the warmth of a real home.
Ace: The Dog with Defects Finally Finds a Home
I won’t sugarcoat it; many who adopt dogs seek perfection. You know how it goes: the flawless pup for the ideal family.
But what about those underdogs, the ones discarded simply because they are… different?
Ace didn’t choose his appearance. He was born with a leg defect. All four legs curve awkwardly, with joints extending to the sides, giving Ace a unique gait.
Ace faced a chronic health condition, coupled with his age, which jeopardized his future in the shelter and beyond.
When Carli Gaetano learned about Ace’s plight, she felt profound sorrow, knowing how rare it is for underdogs like him to find families. But something sparked within her—it dawned on her that she could save Ace, the dog with defects, who was thousands of miles away.
Gaetano quickly contacted the shelter, discovering that Ace had been nearly immobile upon arrival. To her surprise, she also found out that another American family had shown interest in adopting Ace.
With a little luck, that family backed out, opening the path for Gaetano to adopt him.
However, she would need quite a bit of that luck again because international adoptions often come with a hefty price tag.
Ace Is Finally Heading Home
Day by day, Ace’s prospects improved. Shelter staff devotedly worked to help him socialize with other pets.
He interacted with cats and other dogs, proving that he was indeed prepared to join a loving family.
Carli recognized the complexity of the process ahead.
“I realized international adoption would be costly, but my priority is for Ace to have a family to call his own,” Gaetano shared. “So, I started selling my fine jewelry to raise more money for Ace. Material possessions can be replaced; Ace deserves a chance at life.”
After nearly two years of effort, and plenty of support from those who organized fundraisers, Ace was finally set to embark on his journey home with Carli.
A dog who had endured so much could finally relax, free from worry. No more ticking clock over his head. Ace arrived home to a warm welcome from his new mom Carli and two canine siblings who instantly adored him.
“From the moment I picked him up, he was affectionate, sweet, and incredibly well-behaved,” Gaetano shared. “He was like an angel during the car ride home, and when he arrived, he was showered with love by his new puppy brothers! He is such a good boy and so handsome!”
A pup once written off as hopeless has journeyed through much to finally receive what he truly deserves.
Following numerous surgeries to correct his limbs, multiple rejections, and a few unsuccessful adoption experiences… he emerged, ready to embrace a joyful new chapter with his new mom in Pittsburgh.
Not every shelter dog is fortunate enough to get a second chance. The likelihood of a dog like Ace, born with defects and already a senior, finding an adopter is quite slim. Thankfully, there are compassionate individuals like Carli.
There are those who are willing to sell personal belongings, arrange fundraisers, and reach across the globe to rescue a precious life.
And all I can do is give a standing ovation to such remarkable people.
