Meet Brianna, a kind-hearted woman from New Jersey, who has always dreamed of rescuing a dog. Her dream came true when she met Grace, a charming puppy that she instantly fell in love with. The connection was so strong that Brianna couldn’t wait to bring Grace home.
Grace’s story starts with the Jersey Pits Rescue, a caring organization based in New Jersey that helps dogs who are stray, abandoned, or surrendered. They found Grace in a very sad condition—she was skinny, scared, and tied to a pole beside a road, desperately needing someone to care for her.
Rescuing Grace
The first time Brianna saw Grace, she was struck by her beautiful, soulful eyes, which seemed to reach right into her heart. They met at a local park in New Jersey where Grace, clearly frightened, was hiding her tail between her legs and crouching low to the ground. Seeing her vulnerability, Brianna knew she had to take things slowly and earn Grace’s trust.
Brianna spent some time at the park with Grace, slowly getting to know her. “After a few minutes, she kind of opened up and let me love on her a little bit. And then, I had her in the car and I think at that point she knew she was going home,” Brianna shared with The Dodo. During the car ride home, Grace was calm and even took a nap, showing her relief at being safe.
Initially, Grace was constantly looking for food, almost like she was worried she wouldn’t get enough to eat again. “In the beginning, she was just constantly looking for food. It was almost like she was nervous. She would get food, and then she’d be nervous that she wasn’t gonna get it again,” Brianna recounted. It was painful to see Grace so anxious about something as basic as food.
Grace’s Forever Home
Despite her difficult past, Grace quickly developed a deep affection for Brianna, sticking closely to her as if they were meant to be together forever. However, Grace struggled with separation anxiety, terrified of being left alone again. “As soon as I turned my back, she thought I was leaving. She howls and barks, and she cries. Anywhere I went in the house, she was there,” Brianna explained.
Living indoors was a new concept for Grace, who had spent her entire life outdoors. Brianna was determined to help her adjust to this new lifestyle. Their bond grew stronger as they spent more time together, especially during outdoor walks which helped Grace become more comfortable and secure in her new environment.
“She’s getting more comfortable in our space together. She’s definitely come out of her shell. She knows that she’s gonna be fed. She knows that I’m not gonna leave her. I fell in love. It was instantaneous. This is my soulmate,” Brianna said with emotion. Some dogs need a lot of love and patience initially, but the love they return makes it all worthwhile.
Brianna was exactly the person Grace needed at that point in her life, offering her the loving home she had always deserved. “I’m not giving up this dog up,” Brianna declared. “There’s something about this dog, I’m not giving up on her. This is my dog, and I’m gonna make it happen.”
Today, Grace is living her best life, enjoying treats and receiving unconditional love every day. Brianna and Jersey Pit Rescue have truly saved a precious soul, and the joy they have brought to each other’s lives is immeasurable. Thank you, Brianna, and Jersey Pit Rescue, for making such a beautiful difference.
