It’s always heartbreaking when a pet passes away, but sometimes the best thing you can do in your grief is to open your heart to another pet in need of a home.
That was the case for one woman, who recently lost her German Shepherd but decided to drive across the country to adopt a new one.
Delgado, a 6-year-old German Shepherd, arrived at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley, in Marietta, Ohio, in March. He was found as a stray by a Good Samaritan, and didn’t have a collar or microchip.
The shelter shared his photo online, hoping someone perfect would take him in — and his story reached just the right person at just the right time.
Kristi Elkins, from Atlanta, Georgia, had just suffered the loss of her own pet German Shepherd. But soon after, by fate, she came across Delgado’s photos and knew it was meant to be.
“She knew in her heart that he was the dog that she was destined (and needed) to help,” a post in the shelter’s Facebook group explained.
Kristi knew that she would be the perfect adopter for Delgado — even though she was in Georgia and he was in Ohio.
But undeterred by their distance, Kristi decided to embark on a road trip across the country to meet Delgado in person. According to Google Maps, the trip between the two cities is 590 miles, taking about 9-and-a-half hours by car, but it was worth it to give this dog a home.
“Hi Delgado. I am more than excited to adopt you and cannot wait to bring you home Thursday,” Kristi reportedly wrote on Facebook ahead of her trip. “I will give you all the love, cuddles, kisses, and care you deserve!!”
Finally arriving at the shelter after her long journey, Kristi arrived with a “huge basket” of gifts for Delgado, including a new harness.
Kristi and Delgado spent the night with relatives in the area before driving back home to Atlanta to begin their new lives together.
The shelter thanked Kristi for giving this dog a “fabulous home.”
It’s always amazing when someone rescues a dog, but it’s even more heartwarming to see someone travel so far to give a dog a new home.
We know Kristi is going to give Delgado a great new home, and they were truly meant to be together.
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