What started as a simple post to social media turned into a photo gone viral of this rescue dog hugging his new owner. After one friend said it looks like her dog was giving her a human hug, she decided to share it and the post received so much attention, she decided to share their full story.
Kayla Fillon started out as a volunteer dog walker at the dog shelter where Russ was. While most of the other dogs were rowdy and barking loud, Russ stood out by sitting calmly and peacefully waiting his turn to be taken out. All it took was 20 minutes out on a walk with him and she was in love.
“I called my mom and was like I think I’m going to adopt this dog. And she thought I was kidding.”
Kayla has a fairly busy schedule with working, going to school, and volunteering. Her roommates were also a factor to take into when she suggested bringing a dog into the picture. But Kayla had made up her mind and knew that she had to take Russ home.
She also knew that she had to act fast because the shelter where Russ was at was a kill shelter. That meant that any dogs who were in bad condition, problematic, or didn’t get adopted were euthanized. Kayla didn’t want anything bad to happen to Russ so she knew that she had to get him out of there.
Russ wasn’t in the greatest condition at the shelter and he had kennel cough, so the day after Kayla met him, she decided to go back and see him. After spending almost the whole day together, she adopted him.
After She brought him home, he was immediately a different dog and so much happier. “he was my little magnet. Like he would follow me everywhere. He slept with me. He even snores in his sleep like a human.” Kayla said about what it was like when she first brought him home.
The two are inseparable. Russ has become very clingy, always having to be near Kayla when shes around and longing for her out the window after she leaves. She takes him on trips to the mountains and beach where they explore and where Russ gets excited to run free.
“Its a little bit life changing to see a dog found on the streets of Philly just be able to enjoy nature and enjoy his life.”
Then one day another dog arrived at the shelter named Carson. Kayla never had a doubt in her mind about Russ becoming a big brother. Carson’s personality was different at first, he was very timid and shy, but Russ new that he needed to be welcoming and knew exactly how to help this new dog.
Kayla says that the two were bonded from the day that they met. They’re practically brothers and just like Kayla and Russ were inseparable, now Russ and Carson are inseparable. They play, cuddle, sunbath, and walk together all the time.
Kayla’s adoption story of Russ and Carson just shows how a picture posted to social media is worth a thousand words. We never would have heard this uplifting heartwarming story if she never would have shared it herself. It doesn’t just uplift people, but also inspires others to check out their local dog shelter to volunteer or find a forever friend of their own. Heres to more dogs like Russ getting adopted from shelters all over the world.
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