Alan Calimbas, a realtor with a passion for rescuing animals, was devastated when he came across Pearl’s story online. The sweet dog was stuck in an overcrowded shelter in Riverside County, California, and scheduled for euthanasia the next day to make space for incoming animals. Alan reached out to the shelter to see if Pearl could be put on hold. They gave him exactly 24 hours to get to her, no exceptions. Unable to arrange transport, Alan booked a flight to Los Angeles from Toronto to pick her up himself.
The moment he landed, Alan made a beeline for the shelter, racing against time. The traffic was brutal, and every minute counted. Afraid he wouldn’t make it, he kept calling the shelter to assure the staff that he was on his way to fulfill his promise.
Just five minutes before the euthanasia deadline, Alan arrived and took Pearl outside for her first walk to freedom. The moment she realized she was free, Pearl’s tail started wagging wildly, and she couldn’t contain her excitement.
Alan was heartbroken by her condition—she was severely underweight and clearly exhausted. But despite her fatigue, Pearl’s eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and relief as she looked up at her rescuer. Alan decided to mark her newfound freedom with a special treat: her first burger.
After enjoying her hamburger, Pearl’s adventure continued at PetSmart. The happy pup, unfamiliar with toys, explored the aisles with excitement, sniffing everything around her. She ran from one toy to another, and Alan, eager to make her feel loved, bought her every toy she showed interest in.
When they arrived at a pet-friendly hotel, it became clear that Pearl had never experienced a real home. She stared at the TV with fascination, unsure of what it was. The curious dog explored the room, sniffing and circling the bed until Alan tossed some toys onto it. That was all the encouragement she needed—she leaped onto the bed and started playing like she didn’t have a care in the world.
For the first time, Pearl looked relaxed and happy, wagging her tail as she rested her head on the bed. The next morning, Pearl was a bit nervous as she prepared for her first flight. Little did she know that she was on her way to meet the most important people of her life—her forever family.
As soon as they arrived at the airport, Pearl’s new family was waiting with open arms. It was love at first sight. The moment they saw her, the bond was instant, and Pearl greeted them with endless kisses. Before heading to her new home, Pearl gave Alan a goodbye kiss, a silent thank-you for the second chance he gave her.
The man responsible is facing felony charges but must never be allowed to own or care for animals again.
Now living her best life, Pearl enjoys every moment with her new family. Each day is a new adventure, filled with hikes and breathtaking views. But what she treasures most is snuggling with her humans, soaking up all the love she had been missing for so long. Thank you, Alan, for saving this sweet girl!
Toledo, United States.
