Abandoned Bonded Brothers Find A Loving Forever Home

What goes through the mind of a dog when he or she is surrendered to a shelter? Chances are it is a combination of fear, heartbreak and confusion. Twin German Shepherd mixes, Apollo and Adonis found themselves in a high-kill Texas shelter back in April with only each other for comfort.

Likely given up by their owner for being heartworm positive, they were terrified and cowering at the back of their kennel when New York-based A-Team ELITE Rescue swooped in.

The Long Island rescue group knew from experience that finding the perfect home for a bonded pair like Apollo and Adonis would be challenging, but they pride themselves on transforming the lives of hardcase pups from overcrowded deep South shelters. The pitiful brothers definitely fit the bill.

Once the dogs were safely in New York and finished with their heartworm treatment, it was time to begin the search for that special double adopter. A-Team ELITE shared a video of the pair huddling together back at that Texas shelter.

“We are looking for these very bonded brothers a forever home where they are loved,” the group posted on Facebook. “A bonded pair is always difficult to place but look at them? How can they ever be split up? Shaking from fear in a very high kill shelter. Yes dogs can smell death.”

The video and accompanying photos of the young dogs entwined together, their eyes darkened with fear, touched the hearts of all who viewed the posts. Applications began to flood in!

A woman named Jennifer from Virginia came across Apollo and Adonis on Facebook when a friend of hers shared their post. “I took one look at them and immediately applied to adopt them,” she told The Dodo. Although Jennifer and her husband, Donald already have two rescue dogs, they were ready to expand their family.

“Since moving into our new house a year ago, with four acres, [we] have been wanting more rescues,” Jennifer said. “I didn’t think we would be picked because we live far away from the rescue group and had two other dogs already, but I got a call the next day saying they loved our application and [asking] if we wanted them. Of course we said ‘yes!'”

A-Team ELITE Rescue never considers any of their rescues officially adopted until they are safely in their new home, so they had 17 other suitable backup pawrents waiting in the wings in case Jennifer and Donald fell through. Those backup adopters turned out to be unnecessary. Jennifer and Donald hopped right in the car and headed to New York to pick up their new furry sons!

 

There was a heart-pounding episode of terror when Adonis got spooked and took off just after arriving at his new home. Thanks to the combined efforts of local searchers and Facebook users who shared his image, the fearful pooch was back at his brother’s side just 24 hours later.

Fear and insecurity are common reactions to stress and upheaval, so rescuers at A-Team ELITE were not surprised to hear about poor Adonis’ escape attempt. With all these two dogs have been through, it’s going to take some time for them to completely let down their guard.

Jennifer and Donald are working with them every day and the boys are beginning to understand that they are safe, and slowly starting to come out of their shells.

“They are doing great and getting used to their new house,” Jennifer said. “They are very sweet babies and a perfect addition to our family!”

On a happy side note, two other A-Team rescues, Amber and Arcus, found their forever homes with adopters who had inquired about Apollo and Adonis!

H/T to The Dodo

Featured Image via A-Team ELITE Rescue