Elsa Nilsson-Canin embraces the beauty in the beast

The Herminator, as the dog was nicknamed, was of a certain appearance that Elsa Nilsson-Canin had grown to fear from stereotypical rumor alone. But upon seeing the pit bull terrier-type dog alone in a shelter and in danger of losing his life, she took a chance and took Herman home. And neither of their lives would ever be the same again.

The blocky-headed pup turned out to be the marshmallow who stole Elsa’s heart. And Elsa in turn began a lifelong habit of paying her good fortune forward to the animals. Herman was the first of several pit bull terriers whom Elsa adopted and pampered — one after the next, her love and allegiance unwavering.

She started hosting movie nights with her friends to screen The Champions documentary (featuring Best Friends’ pivotal role in rescuing dogs from Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring). She also started giving generously as a Golden Circle member of Best Friends and making yearly trips to volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. And to ensure that her giving continued beyond her time on Earth, she added Best Friends as a beneficiary of her financial accounts.

For Elsa, Best Friends has become the perfect match for her philanthropic ambitions, mirroring her own steadfast commitment to the animals who need our help most.

“It’s a remarkable place,” says Elsa. “These people who founded Best Friends — to have said they were going to stop the killing of animals, and 35 years later they’re still committed. That’s what I admire so much about this organization.”