When animal control first spotted a stray Pittie named Juni wandering the streets, they quickly stepped in to help. It didn’t take long for them to realize she had recently given birth.
Despite their best efforts, her puppies were nowhere to be found. With no other options, the Houston, Texas, shelter took her in.
Juni was a gentle soul, slowly learning to cope with the heartbreak of being separated from her babies. After about forty days in the shelter, she was finally ready for a fresh start. But then came devastating news — instead of finding her forever home, Juni was placed on the euthanasia list due to overcrowding.
Time was slipping away, and she desperately needed a hero.
Rescued In The Nick Of Time
Heather, who was still grieving the loss of her beloved dog Briley, happened upon Juni’s story on social media. One look at the Pittie’s sweet face and she felt an instant connection.
“When I saw her face, I just knew deep in my bones that she was meant to be our family,” Heather told GeoBeats Animals.
Determined to save her, Heather spent the night contacting every rescue she knew, pleading for someone to pull Juni from the shelter. But by the end of the night, she hadn’t found anyone who could help. Heartbroken, she went to bed in tears.
The next morning, Heather checked her phone — and saw the news she’d been hoping for. Dawgs Fight Back, a rescue based in Salem, New Hampshire, had stepped in at the last moment to save Juni’s life.
Overjoyed, Heather spoke with her husband, and they decided to adopt Juni on the spot. They completed the interview, signed the paperwork, and Juni officially had a forever home before even leaving the shelter.
Soon after, she made the long trip to Portland, Oregon. The moment she met her new parents, Juni climbed into Heather’s lap, showering her with love.
Juni’s Happily Ever After
From the second she stepped into her new home, Juni acted as though she’d been there forever. She snuggled up in bed with her parents, soaking in all the affection she’d missed for so long. Her family loved nothing more than watching her fall asleep with a smile on her face.
Shortly after Juni’s adoption, Heather and her husband learned more about her past. When Juni first arrived at the shelter, staff had scanned her microchip and discovered she’d once had a family. She had gone missing during her first year of life, and though her family searched, they never found her.
When she resurfaced four years later on the streets, the shelter tried reaching out for weeks but never received a response.
Whether the contact information was outdated or her former family’s circumstances had changed remains a mystery.
Now, Juni is right where she belongs — bringing comfort and joy to her forever family. Heather, who lives with several autoimmune and neurological conditions, sometimes has to spend long periods in bed. Juni always seems to know when her mom isn’t feeling well.
“… And she’s just the best nurse. She just wants to lay by me and cuddle and lick your face and make you feel better,” Heather said.
Thanks to her devoted parents, Juni now spends her days running on the beach, exploring new places, and soaking up life’s simple pleasures.
From a shelter dog with no time left to a beloved family member, Juni’s transformation is nothing short of extraordinary — and her future couldn’t be brighter.