Often, we overlook the capacity for love that a stray dog has when given the opportunity of a permanent home. Once a dog finds this refuge, it holds on with unwavering devotion.
This was the case for Lakita, an American Bully who faced a life filled with difficulties. Left by her initial owners, she had to fend for herself on the streets of Kentucky.
For months, she roamed in search of scraps, hoping someone would show her kindness.
Eventually, worn out and defeated, Lakita collapsed near a stranger’s porch, curling up on a pile of trash, perhaps in hopes that tomorrow might bring some change.
Miraculously, that change came with the dawn of the next day.
Tracy Korfhage, from MisPits And Friends Rescue in Louisville, Kentucky, got a phone call from a resident who noticed the frail dog lying in disarray near her home.
Although Tracy typically avoided street rescues due to the potential dangers, this situation seemed urgent. The caller emphasized that there was little time to spare, prompting Tracy to trust her gut and act without delay.
When Tracy arrived, the sight was heartbreaking. Lakita lay on the trash, weak and lifeless. She seemed defeated, her body emaciated, her spirit faded. But Tracy was determined not to abandon her.
With a coworker’s help, Tracy gently picked up Lakita and took her to animal control, extending a final chance for her original owners to reclaim her. No one came forward.
Tracy chose to foster Lakita herself, sparking a remarkable transformation.
In just a couple of weeks, Lakita put on 14 pounds. The dog who had been weak began frolicking in Tracy’s yard, rediscovering the joy of play.
“She appreciates simple pleasures, like sunbathing in the yard, enjoying the breeze, chewing a bone, or just taking a nap,” Tracy explained.
As months passed, Tracy patiently taught Lakita basic commands and how to walk on a leash. While she still approached other dogs cautiously, she showed no aggression and was ready to look for her forever home.
To promote Lakita’s story, Tracy and her team dressed her in a cheerful outfit and shared her journey online. The images quickly gained attention.
“She absolutely loves food! She even does a little dance at mealtime… Not to mention, she’s a part-time model,” her caregivers wrote on Facebook.
Among those moved by her tale were Sebastian and Ashtyn Garrison, who immediately felt a connection. When they met Lakita, everything fell into place. She quickly warmed up to them and their children, making it evident she had found her family.
Overjoyed, Lakita embraced her new existence, playing with her new siblings and cuddling with her human parents.
With the Garrisons, Lakita left her painful past behind. Today, she is a happy, loving dog who finally understands the feeling of being safe, adored, and at home.
Lakita’s journey from despair on a garbage pile to becoming a beloved household member is a testament to how compassion can transform lives. Sometimes, all it takes is one person arriving at the right moment to change everything.
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