Bruno

I first met Bruno while I was volunteering walking dogs at ACCT Philly and we immediately hit it off. He was such a lovable dog and I could tell he just wanted to goof around and be loved. Bruno was dropped off to ACCT as a stray, so I’m unsure of his background and where he came from, but it was easy to tell that it was a broken environment where the love that he deserved and so willingly would give was not being reciprocated.

A week or so after I met Bruno, he became Timestamped. Animals can somtimes become Timestamped when the shelter is overcrowded, and unfortunately tough and heartbreaking decisions need to be made to free up space so that more surrenders and strays can be taken in.

I knew I needed to step in and save Bruno if the Timestamped time drew closer and so my search for a foster began. Because of the time I spend volunteering at ACCT and with each dog, I get to know their personalities and I like to pair them with fosters who can give them exactly what they need, and vice versa. I believe that just as important it is to save the dogs’ lives, it is mutually important to pair them with a proper fit at home – if not, and what ACCT unfortunately sees too often, the animals end up right back where they started, in the halls of the shelter.

The Timestamped date for Bruno came and he was still not safe, so I reached out to ACCT Philly and told them my rescue was going to pull him and I’d be there to pick him up after work. The work day was one of the slowest days for me in a while. All I thought about was leaving, getting into my car, and going to ACCT to save my buddy Bruno.

When the time finally came, I barely remember the drive over to ACCT because my heart and mind were racing with excitement. I was lucky enough to secure an amazing foster who was willing to take Bruno into her home and give him the loving he so truly deserved, and I couldn’t wait to share the news with Bruno.

I arrived at ACCT, went over to Bruno’s kennel, and told him “It’s time, buddy. You’re going home.”

Bruno’s “freedom ride”, what we call the animals’ in the shelter’s ride home, was one I will never forget. He was so excited to put his head out the window and feel the breeze of freedom.

I took Bruno to my home, where I gave him a bath, trying to wash away any bad memories from his past life. I gave him a few extra belly scratches and then it was off to his foster mom’s home. I couldn’t be happier with the pairing of Bruno and his foster mom. I am so grateful for her for accepting him in his home and I hope that she knows the difference she made in his life.

Bruno’s story doesn’t end there, though. Thanks to his lovable face and personality that shines through on our Instagram page, a friend of mine reached out and told me “I need Bruno.” Bruno had a trial sleepover at their home, and they knew instantly that he was meant to be a part of their family. This past August, Bruno was officially adopted.

I could not have envisioned a more perfect dog to be my first rescue and I’m so happy I was able to meet Bruno that random day volunteering at ACCT. It’s a common misconception that animals at the shelter are solely there because they are dangerous or harmful to others. That couldn’t be further from the truth and Bruno is a model example of that. He deserves the world and his new family is going to make sure he gets it.