A little over fifty days ago, the staff at Michigan Animal Rescue League (MARL) answered a call from a local veterinary clinic about a dog who needed a home. The dog, a 9-year-old girl named Lexi, had been surrendered to the clinic after her family could
no longer care for her, and they could tell just how heartbroken she was.
The folks at MARL didn’t hesitate to take Lexi in. They’d helped countless pets find loving families in the past, and they were hopeful they could do the same for her.
“The clinic was looking for placement, and we were happy to bring this sweet girl to MARL to help her start her search for a new home,” Audrey Blaylock, MARL’s communications manager, told The Dodo.
As soon as Lexi arrived at MARL, she immediately captured the hearts of everyone inside. Despite the grief of losing her family, Lexi’s spirits remained high, and her fun-loving personality blossomed more and more each day.
“She quickly became a favorite with our staff and volunteers,” Blaylock said. “Her little smile is hard to resist. She’s just a really sweet dog who loves being around people, so it would be pretty hard not to fall in love with her.”
The folks at MARL quickly learned just how special Lexi was, and they knew she’d be a perfect candidate for adoption. But days eventually turned into weeks, and the poor girl soon hit her fiftieth day at the shelter without any adoption applications.
Her caregivers were devastated to think that no one wanted her, but they refused to lose hope. Then one day, a family arrived at the shelter shortly after losing their beloved 14-year-old dog — and MARL’s staff knew exactly who to introduce them to.
“They were looking for an easygoing companion who just wanted to hang out and be part of the mix,” Blaylock said. “When we heard what they were looking for, Lexi immediately came to mind.”
The staff’s hunch was correct: The family fell head over heels with Lexi and decided to take her home for good. It was exactly the outcome MARL’s staff had been hoping for. So, when it came time to say goodbye to Lexi, they came together to give her one final send-off.
“Adoptions are always worth celebrating here,” Blaylock said. “Our staff and volunteers spend so much time getting to know and love these animals, so when one of our dogs goes home, everyone wants a chance to say goodbye.”
The staff gathered in the lobby to cheer on Lexi as she walked out of the shelter’s doors for the last time. Some clapped and smiled, others wiped tears from their eyes. And Lexi happily took it all in with her tail whipping behind her.
You can watch that moment here:
After 50 days in the shelter, Lexi’s impromptu goodbye party at the shelter marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Now she’s settled into her new home as if she’d always been there, and she’s getting all the love and care she’s always deserved.
And, while they miss having her around, the folks at MARL couldn’t be happier for their favorite girl.
“It’s definitely bittersweet because we miss them, but seeing them leave with a family of their own is what it's all about,” Blaylock said. “Lexi had made a lot of friends during her time with us, so there were plenty of people excited to send her off and celebrate this next chapter with her.”
