Heroic Oregon Dog Finally Gets A Forever Home Thanks To Facebook
April 19, 2011 in Dog Rescue, Heroics, Internet, News
Nala, on the left, with her new family.
Nala finally got what every dog deserves…a forever home with someone who truly loves her. And no dog deserves it more than her.
Nala, a Pit Bull-Labrador mix from Powell Butte, Oregon, who became a hero after saving a blind Cocker Spaniel from freezing to death in a ditch one snowy day in December, has been officially adopted by Janet Roberts, 63. And it was all done thanks to the power of social media.
After news of Nala’s heroism became known back in December, the Humane Society of Oregon thought the pooch had a good chance at being adopted. Unfortunately however, they were unable to find the right fit for the dog, who did have some behavioral issues.
A week ago, the Humane Society of Oregon decided to get Nala more publicity and created a Facebook page telling her story.
With more than 600 Facebook ‘likes,’ the page was populated with posts from people all over the country rooting for Nala to find a home. The dog even had fans in Finland and Canada. Though the page did a lot to publicize Nala’s search for a home, nothing came of it after a week.
Enter Roberts, who when she first heard about Nala’s story back in December, said she couldn’t stop thinking about her. When she saw on Facebook that the dog was still without a home, Roberts contacted the shelter and decided to have a test run with Nala out on her 80-acre property. Because Roberts and her husband have four cats, two horses and an older dog, she wanted to make sure Nala fit in with the other animals before committing to adoption. So the dog spent a night at the Roberts’ home Tuesday evening.
Said Roberts of the sleepover: “She was ever so sweet, and fit in really well. She was so respectful of everyone here.”
And while everyone at the shelter is overjoyed at Nala’s adoption, for some, the feeling is bittersweet.
“I’m really happy. This is what I’ve worked for, for so long,” said Alan Borland, Nala’s walker for the past eight months. “But I’ve been emotional and sad about it, too. It’s going to be tough to say goodbye.”
Borland, who was walking Nala when she saved the Cocker Spaniel, has become close to the dog. Borland says he won’t visit Nala, even though the couple has invited him.
“I’m gonna let her go now,” said Borland. “She needs to get on with her life, and forget about the year she spent at the shelter.”
