I can’t even remember the number of shelter stories I’ve seen, but some just stay with you long after the video ends. And to everyone’s surprise, it’s mostly those quiet ones: about dogs who don’t bark, who don’t beg, and who’ve even stopped believing anyone is coming.
That was Yoda.
This tiny French Bulldog was constantly overlooked in a California shelter. Yet she didn’t make a sound, just watched with tired eyes as other pups got their second chances. Her silence was the kind that breaks you, the kind that makes you wonder if she’d already accepted her turn might never come.
Then rescuer Colby Hartz, from California, walked in, and everything changed for this sweet pup.
Welcome Home, Yoda
When Colby Hartz, ex Marine Corps infantry vet moved to California, he made it his life mission to help dogs in need. So far, he’s adopted eight dogs, and the ninth one, Yoda, has become his newest family member.
Yoda was labeled as the most overlooked dog in an overcrowded shelter. She spent her days sitting quietly in the corner, watching her friends get adopted. To Colby, though, she was perfect!
By the end of the day, he had signed the papers and lifted her into his car. The rest, as they say, is history.
Just twenty-four hours later, Colby shared a heartwarming update on Yoda. Although still cautious, her transformation had already begun.
“Hasn’t even been 24 hours yet and this girl is pulling on my heart strings. I’m so happy she is safe now,” the California trainer wrote in an Instagram post.
Yoda’s curious spirit and zest for life were adorable. And, for a dog who had spent so much time overlooked, her instant affection was just monumental.
“She likes to follow me around and it’s the cutest thing ever. Potty training is coming along very well. I’m excited to see how close we get because I can already tell she’s going to love me,” Hartz added.
Coming Back To Life
By the tenth day, Yoda’s progress was truly fascinating. She went all the way from a withdrawn, silent dog to a pup full of personality and love to give.
“it’s only day 10 but I see a complete change and everything about her. The biggest thing is when I look into her eyes and compare it to when I did when she was at the shelter,” Colby shared in an update.
Colby and his partner Sara made sure this tiny girl had her very own bedroom set in the house. Before long, she became the most spoiled girl in the pack, and she loved it!
Her comfy bed inside the bedroom was a place where Yoda could finally sleep and wake without fear.
Now, Yoda lives her life as a beloved dog with her family. She’s as far from being a shut-down dog as she could possibly be. And the best thing of all is that she’s only at the beginning.
With many adventures ahead of her, there’s no doubt that Yoda’s future will be filled with joy, happiness, and many happy memories.
“Rescuing dogs bring such a joy to me and fills my heart. You can literally see her coming back to life,” Colby concluded.