When a dog named Noel arrived at Lucky Dog after being taken in by Florence County Environmental Services, her condition was far from ideal.
Not only was she timid and frightened by her new surroundings, but she was also heavily pregnant.
Fortunately, the shelter prioritized placing pregnant dogs in foster care because a kennel isn’t suitable for raising puppies. As soon as a kind home became available, Noel was ready to begin a fresh chapter of her life.
However, the journey ahead proved to be more challenging than anyone expected.
A Long Life of Hardships
Noel gave birth to a healthy and joyful litter, caring for them until they were all adopted. Although Noel felt a deep sadness as each puppy left her, she found comfort in the knowledge that they were headed to loving homes.
Unfortunately, this sweet mother faced her own struggles.
Noel found it tough to secure a loving family as she felt uneasy around unfamiliar faces. Thankfully, the Florence shelter found her a long-term foster home with wonderful humans who invested their time in building her confidence.
Eventually, Noel found herself in the care of Irene Marquez, an animal rescuer with 18 years of experience helping dogs in need. When Marquez met Noel, she quickly recognized that Noel required extra care and attention.
“She was transported to me, and we had to carry her into the house. She bolted into her crate and sat in the furthest corner for 18 hours. It was a heartbreaking sight,” Marquez shared with People.
Easy Does It
Although it required time and plenty of patience, Marquez accomplished her goal.
“It took her three days to finally come out of the crate and into my family room. She would peek her head out, only to retreat back into her crate. But gradually, she began doing this every day…” Marquez recounted.
Eventually, Noel began to emerge from her shell. Marquez observed that she loved going on long walks. Most importantly, this sweet girl found joy in assisting her human in caring for the foster puppies.
During her time in foster care, Noel became a mother to more than two dozen puppies.
“It didn’t matter their size, as long as they were puppies. She allowed them to do anything they wanted to her,” Marquez remarked.
Marquez also recognized that the foster puppies were beneficial to Noel as well, helping her relax and rediscover her playful side.
Once Noel transformed into a loving and joyful pup, she began receiving the attention she deserved. When Joe Capra and Valerie Smith laid their eyes on her, they instantly knew she was the pup for them!
“Upon seeing her, we spoke to Lucky Dog and discovered she had been in foster care for three years. We thought, ‘Enough is enough,’” Capra expressed.
Finally Home
The couple quickly rushed to the pet store and gathered all the essentials they needed for their new furry family member.
When Noel first encountered her new humans, she was understandably hesitant. However, it didn’t take long for her to pick the perfect spot on the couch.
“It’s crucial to meet each dog where they are. Initially, Noel was extremely shy and rarely allowed us to pet her. Trust takes time to build, but investing in that relationship is incredibly rewarding,” Smith remarked.
As she spent time with the couple, Noel came to realize that they were the family she had long been waiting for.
After 1,263 days in a shelter, searching for a place to call home, this sweet girl finally found her forever family.
