Mama dog’s classic rom-com story

Millie’s story has all the makings of a classic rom-com: country girl in the big city, a chance meeting in the park, and of course a happily-ever-after.

Let’s set the scene: A man comes into a Mississippi animal shelter, saying a dog had given birth in an abandoned shed. A Best Friends team member happened to be on-site working with staff at the shelter, so she went to check it out.

There, she discovered Millie, a small white-and-tan dog with oversized ears. With her were seven pink-nosed puppies.

Mama dog and pups get their day in the sun

No one claimed Millie and her pups, and the local shelter was full. So Best Friends stepped in to find a place for the family. Best Friends’ goal is for shelters across the country to reach no-kill, and collaborating with our shelter partners to take in and place their pets in new homes is just one of the ways we work together toward that shared goal.

Soon Millie and her puppies were tucked into a vehicle headed north to the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in New York City. The puppies were all adopted quickly into new homes.

But while the pups embarked on their next chapters, Millie was still adjusting to hers. The bustling city was a far cry from the peaceful woods she was used to. This country girl seemed frightened — like a fish out of water.

Faces of No-Kill: Mama dog beats the odds

To gain confidence and refine her doggy manners, Millie went to stay in a foster home. After just a few days of settling in, her true personality emerged: sweet, silly, smart, and eager to learn.

During a walk in the park, Millie’s foster volunteer struck up a conversation with a husband and wife. The couple adored Jack Russell terriers, and Millie’s look had caught their eye.

Back at home, the couple couldn’t stop thinking about Millie and knew they couldn’t let her get away. They adopted her within a few days.

Today, Millie is loving life with her new family. She enjoys playing with toys — especially chasing remote control cars — and romping around with her canine friends. She also has cat-like agility and can scale fences and trees like a pro. Her people love her, quirks and all.

… And roll credits.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.