We often don’t know the backstory of dogs who are admitted to shelters, but each dog tells us their past if you look into their eyes and body language.

Zara’s eyes revealed the heartbreak that she went through prior to arriving at ACCT Philly. 

Sitting on a bed in her kennel, the senior dog was shaking uncontrollably. She had the saddest look in her eyes that broke the hearts of everyone who saw her.

Zara was in a pitiful state: underweight, suffering from skin infections, and enduring pain.

She needed to leave the shelter and move to a foster home where she could heal.

A Wonderful Couple Decides To Foster Her

Subscribe to the Dog Lovers Club!

Get the latest tips, exclusive dog care secrets, and heartwarming dog stories for FREE straight to your inbox!Subscribe nowI consent to receiving emails and personalized ads.

Powered by

When Jessica Mellen-Graaf, the president of Philly Bully Team, a foster-based rescue located in Philadelphia, heard about Zara, her heart shattered.

She posted Zara’s heart-wrenching video on social media and asked if anyone could foster her. Mellen-Graaf wanted to get her out of the shelter as soon as possible. 

As soon as Prena and her husband Kelvin saw the post, they felt incredibly sad.

The couple, who fosters at both ACCT Philly and Philly Bully Team, considered taking a break from fostering, but when they saw Zara they knew they had to help her.

They took the doggo from the Philadelphia shelter, brought her home, and gave her a relaxing bath.

Shortly afterward, Zara moved in with her foster parents Prena and Kelvin. She needed time to decompress.

Although she was still sad and confused, the dog accepted their help, confident that she was in good hands.

After she settled in, she met her foster siblings Meeka and Tootsie. The dogs welcomed Zara and she began spending more time with them.

Her foster parents gave her medicated baths and took great care of her. They showered her with love and showed her that they were by her side.

Little by little, the doggo began recovering and getting more comfortable. Once her skin healed, new fur started growing back.

Love Mends Zara’s Broken Heart

Her foster parents’ love and the support she received from Meeka and Tootsie helped Zara build her confidence.

She began smiling and discovering the beauty of life. Zara loved running in the field with her doggy siblings and enjoying her freedom.

This sweet dog loves spending time with her fosters. She doesn’t like being alone.

Prena can’t bear to think about Zara’s past and the hardships that she went through.

They can tell that she had many litters of puppies and recently had her last litter. They feel heartbroken because nobody knows where Zara’s babies are.

Prena thinks that the doggo had a family at some point in her life because she displayed a sweet disposition since the day they met her.

Although Zara’s foster parents love her, they are unable to keep her because they want to continue fostering.

“I would love to keep her, she is one of my favorites that we’ve had in a very long time. She can stay here for as long as she wants, but if we keep her, we can’t continue to foster,” Prena told GeoBeats Animals.

I’m sure that the adorable dog will soon find the perfect home and humans who will adore her.

Thank you to Philly Bully Team and Zara’s amazing foster family who poured a lot of love on her and helped her heal both physically and emotionally.