When Noel first arrived at Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, she was in rough shape. Having been taken in from Florence County Environmental Services, she was not only terrified of her new surroundings but also heavily pregnant. The shelter quickly recognized that Noel needed a safe, loving environment to deliver and care for her pups, as a kennel is no place for newborns. Once a foster home became available, Noel embarked on a new chapter of her life.

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However, things turned out to be more challenging than anyone had anticipated. Noel successfully gave birth to a healthy litter and stayed with them until each of her pups grew up and found their forever homes. Although she was sad to see her babies leave, she knew they were headed for loving families. Unfortunately, while her puppies thrived, finding a permanent home for Noel herself proved difficult.

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Noel had a hard time trusting new people, which made her adoption journey slower than expected. Thankfully, the shelter secured her a long-term foster placement with people who were dedicated to building her confidence. That’s when Noel met Irene Marquez, an animal rescuer with 18 years of experience caring for dogs in need. Upon first meeting Noel, Marquez realized that this pup would require extra care and patience. “When she was transported to me, we had to carry her into the house. She immediately ran into her crate and stayed in the farthest corner for 18 hours. It was heartbreaking,” Marquez told People.

Marquez was determined to help Noel heal. “It took three days before she ventured out of the crate,” Marquez recalled. “She peeked her head out, but quickly went back in. But day by day, she started doing it more often.” Slowly, Noel began to open up, taking her first tentative steps out of her shell. Over time, she even developed a love for long walks and found joy in helping care for the foster puppies that came through the home.

During her time with Marquez, Noel became a nurturing mother figure to more than two dozen foster pups. “She didn’t care about their size; as long as they were puppies, she let them do whatever they wanted,” Marquez shared. The puppies, in turn, helped Noel become more playful and relaxed, allowing her to rediscover her inner puppy.

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As Noel’s personality blossomed, she began to attract attention from potential adopters. But when Joe Capra and Valerie Smith saw her, they knew immediately she was meant to be theirs. “We found out she’d been in foster care for three years, and we thought, ‘No more of that,’” Capra said. They wasted no time in preparing for their new furry family member, stocking up on everything she would need.

Noel was hesitant when she first met her new humans, unsure of what to make of the situation. But it didn’t take long for her to find her spot on the couch and start to settle in. “It’s important to meet a dog where they are,” Smith explained. “When we first met Noel, she was incredibly shy. She rarely let us pet her, but trust takes time. If you’re patient and willing to invest in building a relationship, it’s incredibly rewarding.”

After 1,263 days in foster care, Noel finally found her forever home with Joe and Valerie. It was clear she had been waiting for them all along. This once shy, scared pup now has a loving family to call her own, and her story is a testament to the power of patience, love, and second chances. Thank you to People for sharing Noel’s inspiring story! To learn more about Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, you can visit their Facebook page by clicking here.

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