Sarah certainly was not expecting to adopt a dog. Then, once she and her daughters met Ella, everything changed.
Ella may have started as the cute foster dog next door, but she quickly became the best part of each day whenever Sarah and her daughters had a chance to greet her.
In December 2024, after 90 days of Ella being in the care of the BC SPCA Vancouver Community Animal Centre, Sarah officially adopted Ella.
We have now received their story:
“Our neighbour was fostering Ella, so we saw her playing in their front yard and went over to say hi. I had told the kids that we were never going to get a dog, but we fell in love with Ella right away. She was so smiley and soft and gentle with our two-year-old. We pet her over the fence every day and hoped she’d find a good home.
However, when our neighbour told us that someone wanted to adopt Ella, my heart sank. I was happy for her but realized how much we would miss her. Ella left the next day. I thought about her a lot and tried to picture her happy new life.
Then, a few days later, I saw a white dog on our neighbour’s porch. I quietly called Ella’s name and the dog wagged her tail. It was her—she was back! Luckily for us, she hadn’t been the perfect fit for the other people.
I thought that her return must have been a sign that she was meant to come live with us, so I immediately submitted an application to adopt her. Even though it was a long weekend, the BC SPCA crew reached out right away to start the adoption process.
Knowing that Ella had a less-than-ideal previous situation made us want to adopt her to provide her with a warm, loving home for the final years of her life. My older kid reminded me that Ella’s age was a big factor in us adopting her. She is very chill, and adopting a senior dog felt like an easier commitment than a puppy.
When Ella came into BC SPCA care, she was not doing well. She had cancer, rotting teeth that were causing her pain and she was so dirty that her fur was nowhere near white. The team cleaned her up right away, she had surgery to remove cancer and she had dental work done the week before we adopted her.
Now, Ella is clean, cancer-free, she chomps down food with glee—and her smile is even bigger than before. She is healthy and seems really happy.
Ella always greets us with full-circle tail wags, puppy energy and a favourite toy in her mouth. She loves to go on family walks and to sleep in the multiple beds that we have set up for her throughout the house—and also, sometimes, on the furniture.
She used to cry and bark in her sleep every night when she first came to live with us. Now, she sleeps quietly and flicks her paws like she is running through meadows in her dreams.
Taking care of Ella has taught me that even on really rainy days, there is always a moment where things clear up enough to get out for a dog walk. I lived in Vancouver for 20 years. Before Ella, I would have told someone that on days when it rains, it rains all day.
Now, I see the lightness in every day. Even though that is literally about the weather, it is also such a good metaphor for life with Ella. She provides light, joyful moments every day.
We love Ella and we’re so glad that she’s in our life.”
Thank you to you and your family, Sarah, for adopting Ella. We are thrilled to see how very loved she is in her new home. We have no doubt that Ella was holding out until you came into her life, because it’s clear she was meant to be a part of your family.
Thank you for giving Ella the most fulfilling, caring home to live out her golden years. We wish you all many more happy moments over the years to come.
Have you adopted an animal from the BC SPCA and want to share your joy with others? Submit your adoption story!
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