The Animal Resource Center in Pennsylvania has experienced one of the most significant adoptions in Ella’s history.
Life often brings those who are meant to be together, and this touching tale from Bloomsburg illustrates the beautiful randomness of existence.
Ella spent seven long years in the shelter, waiting for her forever home, but it all turned out just as it should have.
You might want to have some tissues handy for this heartwarming narrative.
Introducing Ella
Throughout her life, Ella has been a part of the Animal Resource Center in Pennsylvania, having been adopted and returned twice through no fault of her own.
In both instances, her owners were unable to find pet-friendly housing after relocating.
Initially adopted as a puppy, she returned three years later, then adopted again as an adult and returned a year afterward.
As a result of her experiences, Ella developed fear aggression, making her response to new situations and strangers challenging, which complicated the search for her ideal home.
Nevertheless, with the right introductions and patience, Ella blossomed into an affectionate and fun-loving companion.
Finally, after seven years, the shelter celebrated in November 2023 as Ella discovered her forever family.
“Our shelter manager opened her e-mail to find the message we had been hoping to see every day for the last SEVEN years. The subject: “Interested in adopting Ella”. Ella, our longest resident,” the Animal Resource Center shared in their Facebook post.
After arranging an in-person meeting, a woman named Kaitlyn arrived at the shelter.
She shared that her previous dog, Jo, had passed away a few months back, and she was ready to welcome a new furry friend.
Ella had a history of fear aggression, which typically required her to meet new people multiple times before feeling comfortable.
However, to everyone’s surprise, this was not the case with Kaitlyn.
“As soon as Ella spotted Kaitlyn, we believe she instantly sensed, this is MY person. Ella is known to take time to feel comfortable with strangers, but with Kaitlyn, it felt like Ella chose her. She went right over to Kaitlyn without hesitation, eager to receive scratches and affection.”
A remarkable bond formed almost immediately, and it soon became clear why.
It Was Clearly Meant to Be
As the appointment drew to a close, Kaitlyn became emotional and took notice of Ella’s bandana.
It turned out that Kaitlyn had a sentimental connection to this particular bandana, which only deepened the bond.
“She looked up at the staff, revealing a picture of her late dog, Jo, wearing the same bandana, and said, ‘This bandana that Ella is wearing, it belonged to Jo. I donated all his accessories here after he passed away.’ At that moment, hearts filled with emotion across the room — out of all the twenty dogs in the shelter right now, this bandana belonged to Jo. The very bandana that was wrapped around Ella’s neck.”
Out of all the dogs in the shelter, it was Ella who wore Jo’s bandana. Perhaps Kaitlyn’s scent lingered on it, which allowed Ella to feel so at ease with her. She perhaps felt a sense of familiarity.
Kaitlyn expressed her feelings, “I like to see it as Jo’s approval from beyond.”
She decided to adopt Ella that day, feeling certain that it was destiny at work.
Ella was deeply cherished at the shelter, making her departure a bittersweet farewell for everyone. However, it was notable that she finally received the love she had yearned for over the past seven years. The shelter bid her goodbye with these heartfelt words:
“Every morning, Ella would spring off her bed to greet us at her kennel door immediately. Tomorrow will be such a heart-wrenching moment realizing we won’t get that joyous greeting anymore — but the happiness we will feel daily knowing that Ella finally found her forever home is immeasurable: ELLA GOT ADOPTED! 💕”
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