It took just 2 hours and 6 minutes after their photo was posted for Kala and Keira to find a home. The two shelter puppies in Atlanta, Georgia caught the eye of Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, who were told by the shelter that the two frightened friends had sadly reached their “deadline”, literally. It was their last day, and they were scheduled to be euthanized. With time quickly running out, the shelter snapped this photo of the two dogs and Angels Among Us posted this plea for help on Facebook:
“I’m Kala. This is Keira. We’re so scared in here. The people working in the shelters see how scared we are but just told each other that today is our deadline. We have to have someone rescue us or we’ll be “next.” Keira is black and not a “real boxer,” just a mix. She’s so brave and tells me it will be okay no matter what happens. She tells me to be brave too but I don’t know if I can be. Can you see our faces. Keira knows what will happen. You can see it in her eyes. She’s putting on a brave face for sure but I can feel her heart beating fast while I’m clinging to her. If no one saves us, someone will take her away from me. I’ll see her as she goes down the hallway. She won’t come back and I’ll cry. They’ll come for me next and I won’t be as brave. We’ve comforted each other while we were here. She gave me hope when I had none. Now it’s over. Unless…”
Photo credit: Angels Among Us Pet Rescue / Facebook
“Oh my gosh!!! We see a lot of things in rescue but this absolutely will reduce you to tears! Kala and Keira are in a shelter and are scheduled to be put to sleep. Today is their last day unless we can save them. This is as urgent as urgent can get. We really don’t have time to spare. We have no fosters available. Animals in need have overwhelmed us recently and we must have someone today apply to foster. These friends can be separated. They will do fine as long as they’re alive. You can donate, share and pray. But that alone won’t save them. Someone from Angels will be with you every step of your foster journey. You won’t be alone and you’ll have more joy and reward than you could ever imagine. If you’ve ever wanted to foster but just couldn’t quite decide, now is the time to say YES!!”
Their supporters and an amazing community of animal lovers mobilized and came together to share the two canine friends’ plight. The rescue did not have to wait long to share the wonderful news that they are safe:
“From the time we posted on Facebook until the time the dogs were out of the shelter and safely in the car…2 hours and 6 minutes. That’s how you take action!! There are no words to tell you how happy we are that these two best friends are safe and together! Thank you for your shares, donations and offers! Just look at these two!!! This is why we rescue.”
Photo credit: Angels Among Us Pet Rescue / Facebook
“It is so important that we encourage others to spay and neuter and understand that pets are a lifetime commitment. It is so easy to say, why won’t the shelter do something but they are the ones reaching out to us begging for help. In a perfect world they would be empty as every animal should be loved and in a home. We appreciate the shelter getting this picture to us and allowing us to share it with our followers! We can do amazing things when we all work together!”
Rescues like this happen thanks to the amazing work of volunteers, animal rescues and support of online communities coming together to save lives.
Photo credit: Angels Among Us Pet Rescue / Facebook
But the news for Kala and Keira got even better a few months later! In October, Kala and Keira found a forever home together! The dogs have been adopted by two best friends who live together in Atlanta.
Photo credit: Angels Among Us Pet Rescue / Facebook
“I picked up the People magazine last week, after following the story on the hugging dogs, and knew I just had to call,” said Wendy. Longtime friends and roommates, Wendy and Pam, have officially adopted the friends, Kala and Keira, from Angels Among Us Pet Rescue.
Wendy had recently lost her two elderly dogs when she saw the People story and realized the hugging pups were still available. “It just fell together,” Wendy explained. “We turned our tears into smiles with these two young, playful dogs.”
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