Written by It’s heartbreaking to think about how many pets end up in shelters just because of a bad situation. Some were left behind by owners who didn’t take responsibility, while others lost their homes when their owners sadly passed away. Some were adopted but were returned after not liking their personalities.
These situations can be really disheartening, especially for the pets who get passed over for adoption again and again.
I remember that time when I was scrolling through the IG reels; I came across a video about dogs and cats in shelters waiting to be adopted. There were kittens and seniors there. But one dog really stuck with me. He’s still waiting to be adopted after 4 years.
Imagine waiting for years at the shelter, looking for their forever home.
I know hearing stories like these can be saddening. But I’m not here to write about that. Instead, I want to share a feel-good story to brighten your day.
This is the story of two shelter dogs, Rellie and Boone, who became best friends and were adopted together.
Rellie is a four-year-old retriever mix, and Boone is a mixed-breed pup with unique, different-colored eyes. They both have special needs and have spent a long time at the shelter.
Rellie arrived at the Greenville Humane Society in South Carolina in December 2023 after being transferred from another shelter.
When she first arrived, she was shy and didn’t warm up to new people for a while. Sadly, many visitors would walk past her kennel because of that – she was too shy to greet them.
However, the staff at the shelter loved Rellie and said she was friendly with other dogs.
“Everyone fell in love with her,” said Emily Zheng, a worker from the shelter.
But still sadly, no one chose to adopt her despite her lovable personality.
Then, in May 2024, Boone came to the same shelter as Rellie. He is a six-year-old hound who had to be surrendered by his owner because of this special condition. You see, Boone is deaf. His family couldn’t provide the care he needed anymore.
This condition also became the reason why he had difficulty getting adopted.
Because they were both going through similar experiences, Rellie and Boone spent much time together and became inseparable. They would go for walks and play. The staff also saw that they were happiest when they were together.
Now, you might wonder, “Who adopted Rellie and Boone?”
Daniel Boone and his girlfriend, Graecyn Boyd, had been looking to adopt a dog for a while. One day, they came across a social media post about a dog named Rellie.
The post included a letter from the person who had fostered Rellie during Hurricane Helene. The letter said how lucky the new family would be to have Rellie, which immediately caught the couple’s attention. They also thought Rellie could be a great fit for them.
It had already been 310 days (or 10 months) since Rellie arrived at the shelter, but she was still waiting to find her real home. Then, Boone and Graecyn contacted the shelter. However, they discovered that Rellie needed to live with another dog.
The couple went to the shelter that day to meet Rellie, who was initially nervous and shy. The shelter staff suggested it would be helpful for Rellie to be with another friend at home since she was so timid.
Daniel and Graecyn had not planned to adopt two dogs, but when the staff suggested Boone, the couple felt like it was the right choice. Also, Daniel Boone felt drawn because they shared the same name as Boone the dog.
“One of the things that attracted me to Boone is that we have the same name,” Boone said.
Boone noticed a big change in Rellie when she was with Boone.
“When they got together, it was a night-and-day difference. We immediately saw a change in Rellie,” Boone added. “Rellie lit up; she was really confident. Boone is her rock.”
Even though Boone is deaf, Daniel and Graecyn aren’t worried. The couple said they were ready, and it was good that the shelter staff already trained Boone, the dog with a vibrating collar. He also knows some sign language.
On October 16, 2024, Daniel and Graecyn officially adopted Rellie and Boone.
“That was one of the happiest days for our staff to see two of our long-term residents go home together,” Zheng said. “We went out of our way to make sure this was going to happen for them.”
According to Daniel and Graecyn, Rellie and Boone are adjusting well so far and have become inseparable.
The couple then changed Rellie’s name to “Dakota” because they felt it suited her better, while Boone, the dog, kept his name.
Zheng shared that many people overlook long-term shelter dogs like Boone and Rellie. Reading this, she hopes this story encourages others to consider these dogs.
“Consider the longer residents at your local shelter because they matter too, and we love them,” Zheng said.
I also remember this campaign and wanted to share it with you.
Adopt; Don’t Shop.
This campaign brings awareness to stray animals and encourages pet owners to adopt from animal shelters and rescue groups instead of buying pets from puppy mills, breeders, or pet shops.
Thousands, maybe even millions of animals, are strays, and it would help save a life, even if it’s one dog or cat at a time.
Have you ever adopted a pet from a shelter? Comment below with your experience.
