Elle had been at Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) for years, ever since arriving in December after a stay at the local Austin Animal Center. Timid and cautious at first, she slowly warmed up to people, forming close bonds with her shelter friends.
But after roughly 1,400 days without a forever home, it seemed like she might wait forever.
One of her closest connections was with Kaitlan Warmbrod, APA!’s dog behavior training supervisor. From their very first meeting, Elle’s attachment was clear.
“We clicked so quickly,” Warmbrod said. “I started by playing fetch with her, and when I went to leave, she got sad and fell into my lap. Normally, she’d take time to warm up to people, but she was immediately attached. I became so invested because I couldn’t understand why she’d been in the shelter so long.”
Despite her nervous nature, Elle had so much love to give — she just needed someone patient enough to receive it. That someone came in the form of John, who spotted Elle on social media.
Having experience with a fearful dog himself, he knew he could give her the calm, steady care she needed. After several meetings to let Elle get comfortable, the big day finally arrived: it was time for Elle to leave the shelter.
To celebrate her journey and send her off in style, Elle’s shelter friends threw her a goodbye party. The moment she realized all the attention was for her, she completely lost it.
Elle rolled on her back, showered everyone with love, and savored every second of the celebration. After so many long years, it was finally her turn.
No farewell party is complete without a special treat, and Elle got her own peanut butter cake to enjoy before heading home. Brimming with treats, cuddles, and hope, she left with John ready to start her new life.
Since then, Elle has settled in beautifully. John, now on a foster-to-adopt path, hopes this time she’ll stay forever.
“She clicked with John much faster than we expected,” Warmbrod said. “Every moment we invest in our dogs is worth it if it leads them to a loving foster or adopter.”
After years of waiting, Elle’s patience and perseverance finally paid off — and her story is a reminder that every dog deserves someone to believe in them.
