When life turns upside down, sometimes the only thing that gets you through is having someone by your side. For two very different shelter dogs—Karma and Gigi—that “someone” turned out to be each other.
It all began one chilly fall day in Boston, when 5-year-old Karma, a gentle mixed-breed, and 2-year-old Gigi, a spunky Chihuahua, arrived at the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL). They had been rescued from the same home, but when they first arrived, their connection was… nonexistent.
Karma, in particular, was struggling. Overwhelmed by the noise and chaos of the shelter, she shut down emotionally. That is, until ARL staff had a brilliant idea—what if these two dogs could help each other heal?
And that’s when everything changed.
“They weren’t especially close at first,” said Mike DeFina, ARL’s media relations manager. “But when we placed them in the same kennel, something clicked. Gigi immediately brought a sense of calm to Karma. From that moment, their bond grew fast and strong.”
It was an unlikely friendship, to say the least. Gigi is bold, bubbly, and eager to greet the world. Karma is reserved, cautious, and takes her time to trust. But somehow, their differences became their strength.
“Side by side, they’re comical,” DeFina laughed. “But Gigi’s confidence gave Karma the courage to try new things. Karma, in return, offered a quiet, steady affection that grounded Gigi. They’re the perfect balance.”
Soon, the two were doing everything together—walks, naps, mealtime, meeting new people. You name it, they did it as a team. They’d become inseparable.
So when it came time to find them a forever home, there was no question: they had to stay together.
Finding a family willing to adopt two dogs at once is never easy—but fate had a plan.
Enter Joanie Reynolds Daly and Philip Reynolds, a couple still grieving the loss of their own “odd couple” senior pups. The moment they met Karma and Gigi, it was love at first sight.
The adoption was approved, and soon, the dynamic duo was headed home—to the quiet, loving environment they’d been waiting for.
Now renamed Lady Gaga (“Gaga”) and Karma, the two have settled in beautifully. Nearly two weeks into their new lives, they remain as tightly bonded as ever—gently playing, exploring together, and curling up into one cozy pile for naps.
“They’re so in tune with each other,” DeFina shared. “Watching their bond, even in a new environment, is nothing short of amazing. It’s powerful. Inspiring.”
The team at ARL couldn’t be happier. While they continue to work toward giving every shelter animal a second chance, they’ll always remember the quiet magic of Karma and Gaga—a reminder of how healing begins with love, even from the unlikeliest of friends.
Want to help more dogs like Karma and Gaga find their happy ending? You can donate to the Animal Rescue League of Boston here.
