Long-term shelter dogs find their forever homes together

GREENVILLE, S.C. – For animal shelter workers, one holiday wish tops each year’s list: finding homes for the many adoptable animals in their care. That wish recently came true for two dogs, Rellie and Boone, at the Greenville Humane Society in South Carolina.

Both had been waiting for months for someone to give them a chance. Rellie, a 4-year-old retriever mix, arrived at the shelter last December after being transferred from another facility. She was shy and shy when meeting new people.

Boone, a 6-year-old hunting dog, showed up in May. A sweet guy who was given away by his previous owner. He is also deaf, which often makes adoption even more difficult.

Both dogs interacted well with others on the playground. But staff noticed a noticeable difference when Rellie and Boone played together. They were attracted to each other and seemed happiest in each other’s company.

“Boone kind of helped Rellie come out of her shell when they met. It was so sweet. They became best friends,” said Melanie Weeks, behavior consultant at the Greenville Humane Society.

When Rellie finally caught the attention of a family, staff worried how she would fare without Boone. Adopters Graecyn Boyd and Daniel Boone listened as Rellie seemed at her best when she was in the company of another dog. To demonstrate, Boone came out and joined her. That was all the couple needed to see.

“They gave birth to Boone and she was like a completely different dog,” Boyd said.

The fact that Boone the Hound and Daniel Boone shared a name was just another sign that this “double adoption” was intentional.

Now known as Dakota and Boone, the two adjust to their new lives – not just as best friends, but as family.

“I don’t know if I can necessarily say that dogs have best friends, but these two definitely showed us there’s something else there,” Boone added.

For those inspired by Rellie and Boone’s story, the couple created an Instagram account to share updates about their new life. You can follow them HERE.

And if you’re thinking about adding a furry friend to your family this holiday season, remember that animal shelters are full of animals, just like Rellie and Boone, waiting for a second chance.

Here are some from our area: