Every day, countless dogs sit in shelters, quietly hoping someone will notice them and give them the chance to live in a loving home.
Vivian, a Pit Bull mix, was one of these hopeful pups. She longed for a special person and a life beyond the walls of her kennel.
She arrived at Fulton County Animal Services in Atlanta, Georgia, as a stray.
Her past remained a mystery, but one thing was clear. From the moment she arrived, staff could see she had a gentle, affectionate personality and they hoped her time in the shelter would be brief.
An Immediate Connection
Kami Thomas, a lifelong dog lover, had recently experienced heartbreak, having lost her cherished dog, Myla, after nearly ten years together.
By June, Thomas learned about the Dog for the Day program, run by Fulton County Animal Services in partnership with LifeLine Animal Project. Wanting to honor her love for dogs, she decided to visit the shelter and take part in the program.
When she met Vivian, she felt an immediate connection, as if this was the dog she had been waiting for all along.
However, the staff explained that Vivian could not participate in the program because she had just been spayed.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, they suggested an alternative. Thomas could take Vivian home for a few days so she could rest and enjoy a break from shelter life.
As soon as Vivian was led out of her kennel, she rolled onto the ground, exposing her belly and asking for belly rubs.
That single gesture convinced Thomas that Vivian was truly special.
Exploring Home Life And Growing Trust
Once inside Thomas’s home, Vivian was fascinated by ordinary things like the ceiling fan and the television. It became clear that she had not spent much time in a home environment or around people before.
After only 24 hours together, their bond had grown strong.
Although Thomas had only intended to keep her for a short visit, she changed her mind. She decided to foster Vivian longer, help train her, and advocate for her and other shelter dogs.
In return, Vivian trusted her completely and never wanted to leave her side.
Thomas captured a tender moment on video and shared it on TikTok. In the clip, Vivian lies on the couch beside her foster mom, gazing up with eyes full of love and gratitude.
The video quickly touched thousands of hearts online.
Thomas adored Vivian just as much. They became inseparable, and each time Thomas left the house, she found herself eager to return to be with her foster pup.
Finding The Forever Home She Needed
Although Thomas dreamed of keeping Vivian, she knew it was not possible. She was preparing to move to New York, and her new apartment did not allow dogs.
Still, she continued sharing Vivian’s story on TikTok, hoping the right family would fall in love and adopt her. Vivian was listed for adoption through LifeLine Animal Project.
Her efforts were rewarded. Thomas recently shared the wonderful news that Vivian had been adopted.
Thanks to the attention she gained online, Vivian found a loving family who immediately knew she was meant for them.
Thomas felt overjoyed, even though she knew she would miss Vivian deeply. She felt grateful that Vivian had come into her life at a moment when she needed her just as much.
Once Thomas is settled in a new home that allows dogs, she plans to continue fostering. She hopes Vivian’s story will inspire others to open their homes temporarily to shelter dogs and help them find forever families.