The famous quote, “A dog is a man’s best friend,” has proven itself to be true countless times, yet many humans still act cruelly towards these wonderful creatures. Even those who call themselves dog lovers often judge puppies based on their appearance, especially when considering adoption from a shelter.
This is the heartbreaking story of Dutchess, a sweet dog with a heart of gold who waited desperately behind kennel doors, only to be overlooked time and time again by people who couldn’t see past her exterior to the loving companion within.
A Waggy Tail Desperately Waiting For A Fairytale
At Orange County Animal Services (OCAS), Dutchess became a favorite among the staff due to her playful nature and positive energy. Despite her loving personality, she remained unadopted, as potential pet owners focused solely on the cysts under her eyes.
In a Facebook post, OCAS staff shared how Dutchess was routinely ignored by visitors. Those who did stop by her kennel often made hurtful comments:
- “She looks so ugly.”
- “What’s wrong with her?”
- “She’ll never get adopted.”
Thankfully, Dutchess didn’t understand these harsh words and remained optimistic, greeting each new face with hope that today might be the day she finds her forever home.
Even though OCAS couldn’t find her a family, Dutchess’s luck changed when Rescue Dogs Dream, Inc. (RDD) heard her story and couldn’t bear to leave her in the shelter for another day.
Foster Paradise
Once Dutchess arrived at her foster home, her radiant smile showed just how much she enjoyed her new surroundings. Her foster parent went above and beyond to ensure Dutchess’s comfort, and both Dutchess and RDD were incredibly grateful.
RDD shared updates about Dutchess on Facebook, expressing their joy at her newfound freedom:
“We want to thank Chris Murphy for transporting her to us and Beth Lord for fostering her. She is doing great and is so happy to be FREE. She scarfed down a McDonald’s cheeseburger and is making herself right at home.”
A Cute Duckling Turns Into A Beautiful Swan
Although Dutchess was already adorable, her health was improved when a vet decided to remove the cysts under her eyes. During her recovery, something extraordinary happened—Dutchess found her forever home. Or rather, her forever home found her.
Over ten adoption applications poured in, much to the surprise of RDD staff. It wasn’t difficult to find the perfect family for Dutchess, as they shared in another update:
“We can now announce we have found her PERFECT fit!! She will have a new Mom and Dad who treat their pups like kids. Dad works from home. They recently lost one of their fur babies and had been looking for the right fit.”
The surgery was successful, and Dutchess quickly recovered in the loving arms of her new family, who showered her with all the love and attention she deserved.
Dutchess Turns Into Queen Lena
Dutchess’s new owners decided to rename her Lena—a fitting title, as she seemed to have been promoted from duchess to queen. Lena now lives her best life with a loving family and a furry brother by her side.
Lena has been a miracle for her new parents, who had lost a pup shortly before adopting her. She has truly been a blessing in their lives. According to the latest update, Lena is thriving. She gets along well with her new brother and is excelling in her dog training:
“She graduated from a level one doggie training class and is signed up for level two and then a good canine citizen class. She’s so sweet, just loves to play and be around us all the time.”
A Call to Action: Look For the Ones No One Wants
Lena’s story had a happy ending, but there are still countless dogs in shelters waiting for their own fairy tale. As dog lovers, it’s important to approach adoption with an open heart. The team at OCAS leaves us with this powerful message:
“So, come to the shelter with an open heart. Look inside every kennel. Look for Dutchess. Look for the ones no one wants. That’s how you save a life. That’s how you make a difference. That’s how you change the world for one.”
