‘Playful’ three-legged puppy needed a home. Her adoption was ‘meant to be’
A “playful” three-legged puppy needed a home — then came an adoption that was “meant to be.”
Estrella’s adopter is married to a “para-athlete with two leg amputations and a love for hand cycling,” making the pup the “perfect fit” for their family, a North Carolina animal shelter wrote April 4 on Facebook.
The Asheville Humane Society celebrated the heartwarming adoption after Estrella arrived in rough shape. Her previous owner surrendered her, possibly because she was injured.
“Estrella came to us as a wee pup with a badly broken front leg,” the shelter wrote. “Unfortunately, the bone had started healing in such a way that would cause Estrella lifelong pain, and her leg was amputated to give her the best shot at a happy, mobile life.”
But as Estrella started to recover, she made a wrong move and broke her other front leg. She had another surgery and is now doing better.
While living in a foster home, the young Chihuahua became known for her love of basking in the sun and chewing on bones. She can keep herself occupied but would rather be lying in someone’s lap, the humane society told McClatchy News in an email.
“Three words to describe her are SWEET, CUDDLY, and PLAYFUL (with a little sass.),” her former foster parents told the shelter. “This little one loves to be close and wants all the attention.”
One day, Estrella caught the eye of a woman who had lost her senior dog a decade ago. The woman, whom the shelter only identified as Polly, was seeking a way to help fill the “hole in her heart.”
“Polly scoured Estrella’s profile, trying to piece together why she had been in our care for so long,” the animal organization wrote. “After learning her story from our adoptions counselors, she blurted ‘It’s meant to be!’”
Estrella, who is 8 months old, is now getting a fresh start with Polly and her husband. The pup’s adoption resonated with shelter workers, who had witnessed her “tough journey” first-hand.
“The true similarity is that both parties are as resilient as they are compassionate,” the shelter wrote. “Estrella went home with people who love her immensely, and see her challenges as obstacles to overcome…together.”
This story was originally published April 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM with the headline "‘Playful’ three-legged puppy needed a home. Her adoption was ‘meant to be’."
