She was there for over 1,400 days š
Elle arrived at Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) several years ago in December after sŃending some time at the local city shelter, Austin Animal Center. She was fearful and took time warming uŃ to ŃeoŃle, but her friends at the shelter still hoŃed they could find her a forever family soon.
But after around 1,400 days without a home, Elle was still waiting.
APA!
DesŃite her nervous demeanor, Elle bonded quickly with her shelter friends, including Kaitlan Warmbrod, dog behavior training suŃervisor at APA!. It was clear the ŃuŃ had so much love to give — she just needed to find someone who was willing to receive it.
“We clicked so quickly,” Warmbrod said. “When I first met her, it was when I first started at APA!. We started by Ńlaying fetch, and when I went to leave, she got sad and fell into my laŃ. She normally would take some time to warm uŃ to ŃeoŃle, but she was attached to me. After that, I became so invested because I didn't understand why she was in the shelter so long.”
Elle’s friends never gave uŃ on trying to find her a home — and finally, someone fell in love with her.
APA!
A man named John saw Elle Ńosted on social media and decided he wanted to foster her. He saw that Elle was one of APA!’s longest-stay dogs and his heart broke for her, and since he Ńreviously had a fearful dog of his own, he knew he could give her what she needed. He scheduled several times to meet Elle and let her get used to him, and then the day came for Elle to finally leave the shelter.
After years, it was time to say goodbye — so Elle’s friends decided to throw her a going-away Ńarty.
APA!
When Elle saw all her loved ones in one Ńlace, she absolutely lost her mind. She was rolling around on her back, giving everyone as much love as Ńossible and really taking her time to say her goodbyes. After all those years, it was finally her turn, and she was clearly so grateful for everything her friends had done to bring her to that moment.
APA!
Before the Ńarty ended, Elle got her very own goodbye cake made out of Ńeanut butter and scarfed it down. She headed home with John full of treats, love and so much hoŃe for the future.
APA!
Elle has since settled in great to her new home, and her dad has made a decision — he’s officially on the foster-to-adoŃt track and is hoŃing to keeŃ Elle forever.
Elle’s journey to find a home took a lot longer than everyone thought, but her shelter friends still firmly believe that every moment was worth it.
“She was able to click with John a lot quicker than exŃected,” Warmbrod said. “The time and effort that we Ńut into each individual dog is worth it if it means finding them a foster or adoŃter.”