Dogs in shelters often experience sadness due to lack of love from owners. As a result, it is difficult to fathom the extent of gratitude and happiness a shelter dog feels when they find a loving home where they can lead a fulfilling life with humans who unconditionally love them.
Allow me to introduce Russ, a 4-year-old pit bull who found solace in the loving embrace of Kayla Filoon, a student who dedicated her time as a dog-walker at ACCT Philly, an animal shelter in Philadelphia. Although Kayla was accustomed to spending time with homeless dogs, there was something special about Russ that she recognized beyond his patchy fur and rough appearance.
Recounting the encounter, Filoon shared, “He arrived as a stray, visibly battered and bruised. His tail and ears were devoid of fur, and he was severely underweight. I was immediately captivated by his serene presence as he calmly sat there, gazing at me. It was undeniable, he was absolutely adorable! I knew I had to take him home.” Behind Russ’ rough exterior, Filoon discovered a truly delightful dog.
Upon returning to check on Russ, Filoon noticed his unchanged position. She recalled, “While the other dogs were barking and causing commotion, he remained still and quiet. He was incredibly affectionate, even during our time in the yard. He exuded such a gentle nature and never barked at the other dogs.” It took just five minutes for Filoon to fall head over heels for him, despite their 45-minute walk. She also discovered that Russ was familiar with basic commands such as sit, down, and stay, leading her to believe he once had a home. The question lingered: how did he end up in such a dire state at the shelter?
After reluctantly returning Russ to his kennel, Filoon promptly called her mother. She shared, “I told her that I felt compelled to adopt a dog the next day. My mom thought I was joking since I always develop an attachment to the dogs I interact with – it’s truly difficult not to. Yet, there was something about Russ.” Filoon felt an urgent need to act as the shelter was experiencing overcrowding and had recently made the heartbreaking decision to euthanize about 15 dogs. According to Filoon, “Every dog was at risk, particularly the ones in poor health, and Russ was undoubtedly one of them. He was suffering from kennel cough.”
The next day, after completing her classes, Filoon hurried back to the shelter. Determined, she took Russ out for a car ride. Upon their return that afternoon, Filoon knew that leaving the shelter without him was out of the question. With the assistance of the shelter staff, she swiftly arranged for his adoption. She reminisced, “Russ simply settled into my passenger seat. In that moment, I realized he was the perfect dog for me. That night, I took him home with me.”
Subsequently, Filoon had to inform her other six housemates about Russ. Fortunately, they too fell in love with him. Russ required some time to adjust to his new surroundings and rest extensively as he recovered from kennel cough. However, he quickly fell in love with his new life, particularly his new mom, Filoon. Filled with affection, Filoon shared, “He always wants to be near me. I remember one night when I was sitting on the chair, engrossed in my homework, and he was trying to find ways to snuggle with me. Despite having an entirely vacant sofa and a comfortable bed on the floor, he refused to settle anywhere else. I looked down and thought, ‘Look at him, he’s amazing.’”
One of Filoon’s friends took a photo and shared it on social media. In no time, the image went viral. Filoon hopes that this photo will encourage others to adopt shelter dogs. She expressed, “He is such a love bug. There are moments when I am lying down, and he will nuzzle his head under my arm or place his paw on my chest. He will even curl up on my chest. I worried that his demeanor might change once we arrived home, but he remains the same relaxed, cuddly dog he was from the start. He is undoubtedly one of the most grateful dogs I have ever encountered.”
