Countless dogs sit in shelters every day, waiting and hoping that someone will notice them and give them the chance to experience a home of their own.
Vivian, a Pit Bull mix, was one of those pups. She longed for her special person and a life beyond the walls of her kennel.
She ended up at Fulton County Animal Services in Atlanta, Georgia, after being picked up as a stray. Nobody knew what her past looked like, but one thing was certain.
From the moment she arrived, the staff could see she had a gentle, lovable personality, and they hoped her stay at the shelter would not be long.
An Unexpected Connection
Kami Thomas, a lifelong dog lover, had recently gone through heartbreak. Recently, she lost her cherished dog, Myla, after nearly ten years together.
By June, Thomas heard about the Dog for the Day program run by Fulton County Animal Services in collaboration with LifeLine Animal Project. Wanting to honor her love for dogs, she decided to visit the shelter and take part.
When she arrived, she met Vivian. Instantly, she felt a strong pull, as though this was the dog she had been waiting for.
Unfortunately, the staff explained that Vivian could not participate in the program because she had just been spayed.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, they came up with a different idea. They suggested Thomas take Vivian home for a few days so she could rest and have a break from the shelter.
When they led Vivian out of her kennel, she immediately rolled onto the ground, exposing her belly and asking for belly rubs.
That single gesture convinced Thomas she was truly special.
Discovering Home Comforts
Once Vivian stepped into Thomas’s home, she was fascinated by simple things like the ceiling fan and television. It was clear to Thomas that Vivian had not spent much time around people or in a home environment before.
After just 24 hours together, their connection grew strong.
Although Thomas had only planned to keep her for a couple of days, she changed her mind. She chose to foster Vivian longer, help train her, and speak up on behalf of her and other shelter dogs.
Vivian, in return, trusted her fully and never wanted to be far from her side.
Thomas captured a tender moment on video and shared it on TikTok. In the clip, Vivian is lying on the couch beside her foster mom, gazing up with eyes overflowing with 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 and be with her foster pup again.
The Forever Home She Deserved
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 paid off. Recently, Thomas shared the wonderful news that Vivian had been adopted.
Thanks to the attention she gained online, Vivian caught the eye of a loving family who knew immediately that she belonged with them.
Thomas was overjoyed, even though she knew she would miss her deeply. She felt grateful that Vivian had come into her life during a time when she needed her just as much.
Once Thomas is settled in a new place that allows dogs, she plans to continue fostering. She hopes Vivian’s story will encourage others to open their homes temporarily to shelter dogs and help them find forever families.