The best things in life often come to us in unexpected ways. An athlete named Nina temporarily moved overseas to compete in the Asian Games. She predicted it to be fairly routine, with daily practices and some sightseeing. She least expected to fall in love with a stray dog, which is exactly what happened! As Nina practiced and prepared, day after day, for the upcoming tournament, she worked toward that big win. The victory was all hers, but the big win wasn’t just a gold medal.
One day, a friendly stray dog approached as Nina was going about her usual activities. Nina was immediately charmed by the dog’s warm and trusting demeanor. Sensing Nina’s kindness, the dog quickly took a liking to her. Recalling that moment, Nina shared with The Dodo, “Every time she saw me, she started running up to me… I just started to fall in love with her.”
The two began to meet regularly, and they formed a beautiful bond. It became clear that the dog, who Nina named Nips, wanted to be a part of her life. However, a security guard chased Nips away during one of their usual meet-ups. When Nina questioned the guard, he explained that having a stray dog around was unsafe and warned that someone might take more drastic measures to remove her. Nina decided to take Nips to her dorm, concerned for the dog’s safety.
Shortly after welcoming Nips, Nina discovered her new furry friend was pregnant. She felt relieved that Nips was safe with her instead of wandering the streets. Keeping Nips in her room was not easy, as Nina wasn’t allowed to have pets in her accommodation. Still, she continued to sneak Nips in, believing the dog was worth every risk.
When Nina had to leave for her tournament in the village, she faced the challenge of finding care for Nips. Fortunately, a pet store staffed with kind-hearted people agreed to look after the dog while Nina was away. Just as the tournament began, Nips went into labor, giving Nina an extra push to do her best—and she won!
Nips gave birth to six healthy puppies and proved to be an exceptional mother, caring for her little ones with unwavering dedication. The puppies grew quickly, filling the house with energy and joy as they explored and played. It was heartwarming to watch this dog family thrive.
Nina flew back to Canada with the entire dog family, where she and her mom found each puppy a forever home. Reflecting on the experience, Nina said in the video, “I think the most special thing is that we ended up saving seven lives, and we managed to find them all forever homes.”
Merida is a senior who was found abandoned in a backyard with her sibling who had passed away. She was left to fend for herself as an 11-year-old with diabetes. Thankfully, Kanoa Rescue Foundation stepped in to save her, but she still needs your help!
As for Nips, she found her forever home with Nina and her family, along with a new doggy sibling. Nina feels incredibly fortunate to have such a special dog in her life. It’s truly wonderful how their story unfolded, bringing joy and love to both of them.
Toledo, United States.
