Animal shelters do their best to offer love and care, but providing comfort isn’t always easy. Some animals struggle in crowded environments and need more individualized attention to truly thrive.
This is why foster homes play such a vital role—they offer a calm environment where dogs can socialize, receive dedicated care, and heal from past trauma.
A perfect example is today’s story, where a loving foster family helped a little pup rediscover joy and embrace life once again.
Meet Holly
Source: @bennett_bunchofdogs
While visiting the Dallas Animal Shelter, a woman named Janae encountered someone truly special.
Among the shelter’s many residents was Holly, a rescued stray with a gentle spirit. Despite being severely malnourished and unable to see out of one eye, there was something about this sweet pup that immediately caught Janae’s attention.
“She wasn’t rushing to the window like most dogs do to seek attention. I asked the volunteer if we could take her outside, just to give her a break from the kennel and spend some time with her,” Janae shared with GeoBeats.
As the volunteer approached with a leash, Holly became visibly frightened, too scared to move.
To help her feel safe, another volunteer gently picked her up and carried her to the yard, giving her a chance to experience some fresh air and freedom outside the kennel.
Source: @bennett_bunchofdogs
The moment Holly caught a whiff of fresh air, her fear melted away, replaced by pure joy.
“Once we were out in the yard, she just started running around, so happy to be free,” Janae recalled. “There was another dog on the other side of the gate, and she immediately started play-bowing, eager to play with him.”
But Holly’s happiness was short-lived.
Due to overcrowding and her injuries, the Dallas Animal Shelter labeled her as unadoptable and scheduled her for euthanasia.
“I called my husband and said, ‘She doesn’t want to go back in there. She can’t stay here. I’m so sorry, but we have to bring home another foster,’” Janae recalled.
New Life
Source: @bennett_bunchofdogs
As soon as Janae left the shelter with Holly, their first stop was the groomer for a much-needed bath. Once she was clean and refreshed, they headed straight to a Dallas pet store to pick out some cute toys.
But when they arrived at Janae’s home, Holly grew anxious.
During her first few days in her foster home, she curled up in a corner, hiding from the world.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long for her to start coming out of her shell.
Source: @bennett_bunchofdogs
Janae and her husband had already adopted dogs before, and when Holly met them, she was overjoyed to have such wonderful company.
“They helped her understand that we were safe and that our home was a place where she could feel secure,” Janae shared.
Now, Holly thrives in her new environment. She loves spending time outside with her furry siblings, playing tag for hours. But when she’s not running around, she’s the ultimate couch potato—curling up with her humans every chance she gets.
Forever Home
Source: @bennett_bunchofdogs
After a year of fostering Holly, Janae and her husband fell more in love with her every day.
They knew that a pup as special as Holly deserved the most perfect family—and that’s exactly what she found.
“This adoption was a million percent worth the wait for the most perfect family,” Janae shared in an Instagram post. “Her wonderful people saw her on Facebook and live in Washington state. They lost their beautiful dog earlier this year, sweet Georgia, who was also a DPA Alumni.”
Now, Holly is exactly where she was meant to be—surrounded by a loving family who cherishes her with all their hearts.
Good girl, Holly!