Hey there, folks! Woof woof, it’s Kino here, and I’ve got an exciting tale to share with you all! Let me bark about how I went from a scrappy street dog to living the good life in my forever home.
So, picture this: I was just a lost pupper roaming the streets of Caldas da Rainha when some kind souls scooped me up and brought me to a cozy shelter called Rede Leonardo. The volunteers there were top-notch, showering me with love and care.
But hey, I was a bit of a shy fella, so I kept my distance from potential adopters. Can you blame me? I had been through a lot, you know.
I’m a handsome boy, so in spite of my shyness early on one family decided to take me home for a trial adoption. But once I was there, I was so overwhelmed with fear that I just kept hiding from them. Eventually, they made the difficult decision to return me to the shelter.
I lived at Rede Leonardo for 18 months and shared my space there with a changing cast of two other rescue dogs. And while our little group was always full of wagging tails and playful barks, there was a bittersweet side to it too. Every time one of my furry friends found their forever home, my doggy heart would ache a little. It’s tough to see your pals leave, even when you know they’re off to a wonderful new life.
At first, I would get super attached to each new buddy, but over time, I learned to hold back just a bit. It was my way of protecting my heart from the sadness of watching them go. Don’t get me wrong, I was thrilled for them! Seeing their happy faces as they pranced out the door with their new humans was like watching a fairy tale come true. But each departure left a little paw-shaped hole in my heart, reminding me of the friends I’d made and lost.
I kept hoping someone would come and pick me.
Then, one day, fate smiled upon me in the form of a lovely couple looking to fill a dog-shaped hole in their hearts. Their pup Alvin had crossed the rainbow bridge. The humans had grieved their loss and were ready to open their home to a new furry friend. Cue my grand entrance!
While the other dogs at the shelter were bouncing around like energetic balls of fluff, I stayed back, playing it cool.
This time the couple asked the shelter manager, Ana Paula, if they could meet me. Boy was I a wreck! Ana Paula was holding me to help me calm down. Then I turned my head to look at the person who was holding her hand out to me. Our eyes met, she saw me, really saw me! My future humans came to the shelter two more times to walk with me. I was still jittery every single time… I was afraid I was blowing it again.
After a few walks and heart-to-heart sniffs, it was official – I had found my forever family. As I hopped into their car, my buddy Terezina gave me a reassuring cuddle. And just like that, my days as a shelter dog were behind me, replaced by belly rubs, wagging tails, and endless love.
So, there you have it, folks – from a scruffy stray to a pampered pooch with a loving family, my journey has been nothing short of pawsome. Remember, every dog deserves a shot at a happy ending, and I’m living proof that miracles do happen.
EN 
PT_PT