When volunteer Madeline Smith arrived at her local shelter a few weeks ago, she had a list of dogs to care for, just like always. But on her way out that day, something unexpected stopped her in her tracks.
“I was actually walking down the ward to leave for the day when an act of God turned my head and made me look at her,” Smith told The Dodo. “She immediately got up from her bed and jumped up with a waggy tail to greet me!”
The dog’s name was Maya — and the instant connection between them was undeniable. Standing on her hind legs with her paws pressed against the kennel bars, Maya seemed to plead with Smith to take her home.
Smith’s heart melted, but with a trip already planned, she told herself she couldn’t foster another pup just yet. Still, she couldn’t stop thinking about Maya once she left.
“When she ended up on the euthanasia list, that was it,” Smith said. “I knew I had to save her.”
With time running out, fellow volunteer Amairany stepped in to foster Maya until Smith returned. The sweet pup settled in right away, even befriending Amairany’s young son.
You can see more pictures from Maya’s rescue here:
A few days later, Maya moved into Smith’s home — where her foster dad, cat brother Barry, and dog sister Margot all fell in love with her instantly.
“She fit in so seamlessly with our fam and felt like she’d been here all along,” Smith said.
For the next month, Maya snuggled with her new family while receiving treatment for heartworm. When she was finally healthy enough to be listed for adoption, Smith was faced with a heartbreaking decision.
She had fostered 54 dogs before and always let them go to loving homes — but with Maya, something felt different.
“My husband had to bear with me crying about it for weeks,” Smith said. “Deep down, he knew I wasn’t at peace with letting her go.”
On Mother’s Day, Smith’s husband handed her a card. Inside were Maya’s official adoption papers.
“He’s such a good man, and I’m so glad we have our Maya now,” Smith said.
Months later, Maya is thriving. She and Margot are inseparable, she loves visiting Barry’s memorial shelf, and she’s already bonding with her future human baby brother, cuddling up to Smith’s belly each day.
Maya may have been Smith’s 55th foster dog, but she became her very first “foster fail” — and her family wouldn’t have it any other way.
“If you can just let the first [foster] go, it gets easier each time,” Smith said. “Until a Maya comes into your life. Then you’ll know.”
To keep up with Maya’s adventures, you can follow her mom on Instagram.
