Nizhny Novgorod residents share adopted pets' changes
An elderly dog found in a dump now lives with a loving family.
Today we decided to warm your hearts with stories of animals who, after life in a shelter, found loving families. Photos that make you believe in kindness are in the material from NN.RU and the charitable fund Compassion NN.
Shy Leya
Belgium — that’s what Leya was first called — ended up in the shelter from the street. The shy dog with her gentle nature had a hard time adjusting to the new environment. She didn’t interact with other animals and was reluctant to make contact with people.
The modest Leya kept to herself away from people and other dogs.
In 2017, Victoria started looking after Leya when she came to the shelter as a volunteer. The girl began visiting her almost every day. But she didn’t plan to take her home — she already had a dog and lived in a rented apartment. Moreover, her family was against it. Over a year at the shelter, Victoria and Leya became attached to each other and learned many commands. During one of the walks, the volunteer noticed that the dog wasn’t feeling well and was limping. They took an X-ray — an old injury was discovered (most likely during her street life, Leya was hit by a car). After surgery, the girl took her home to help with rehabilitation.
“So she stayed with me, and it’s been seven years we’ve been together. At first it was hard: Leya was very afraid of loud noises, cars, the noisy city, baths, elevators, and unfamiliar people. But over time, she adapted and became a true companion; we even went to Crimea and Karelia twice together. She enjoys walks, and afterwards she jumps into the bath herself to wash her paws. She loves soft toys, squeaky toys, various treats, and also loves riding in the car,” Victoria shared with NN.RU.
Now Leya enjoys going for walks and has adapted to home life.
Fax and Whiskey
Fax ended up in the shelter when he was just five months old. Due to distrust of others and fearfulness — the dog was afraid of absolutely everything — there were very few people willing to take him home. So he spent several years in the shelter.
Fax lived in the shelter for several years before being adopted.
Yevgenia started working with the dog through a volunteer program. It took a lot of time to socialize and acclimate Fax to life outside the shelter. After all the efforts, the girl realized she couldn’t live without him. And there were no other options — Fax didn’t trust anyone else, only her.
“Over time, he transformed from a frightened, timid dog into a gentle and affectionate kitten who is always by my side. He came to love walks in the forest with four-legged friends, playing with soft toys, learning new commands, and lying belly up next to me on the bed,” Yevgenia told NN.RU.
Fax transformed into a happy and content dog after adoption.
Recently, the volunteer got another furry friend — a kitten named Whiskey. He and his brother were brought to the shelter with injuries. Most likely, the babies fell victim to animal abusers.
The tiny kitten lost a leg and an eye due to injuries.
As Yevgenia shared, she saw the kitten and fell in love. When the main treatment was completed, the girl took Whiskey for foster care and soon realized that the “black-and-white microbe” would stay with her for good. The cat is now about five months old, but he is still small.
“An incredibly affectionate, playful, friendly cat. At the first opportunity, he comes to cuddle, lies on my chest or neck, and purrs very loudly. He is a special boy, but that doesn’t hinder his life at all. And for us, his peculiarities are his charm. We love him very much just as he is,” the Nizhny Novgorod resident said.
Whiskey the kitten is adjusting well to life in a home.
Active Lita
Lita lived at Compassion for several years. Volunteers described her as excitable, swift, and hyperemotional. From an early age, the girl knew commands like “sit,” “lie down,” and “give paw.”
Lita the beauty posed for a photoshoot while at the shelter.
Alena started looking after Lita. The girl had long been a volunteer and took the dog on as a new ward. It took two years to take her home — the tailed pupil had issues with aggression (she could even bite sometimes). During this period, they regularly trained and mastered various standards.
“Later, Lita started coming to us on weekends occasionally, and then we took her in through a temporary family program and couldn’t part with her. Thanks to the work done, she fit perfectly into our family and became a very comfortable dog, for better or worse,” Alena told NN.RU.
Now the four-legged friend accompanies the girl everywhere. And they also compete in agility — a sport where the dog and owner must complete an obstacle course against the clock.
Lita now competes in agility and has won several medals.
Oldie Stevie
During the January cold, abandoned, exhausted, and blind Stevie was found in a dump in Pavlovo. If not for the volunteers, the dog wouldn’t have lasted more than a few days. He was diagnosed with a severe eye pathology — the stray had completely lost his sight. Scabs and large bald patches were seen on his skin. Stevie was sent for treatment.
Stevie was discovered in very poor physical condition initially.
The oldie was taken in by a temporary family, who later decided to keep the dog permanently. His owner Alisa said that Stevie quickly got used to and adapted to home life: he made friends with other cats and dogs and became the family’s favorite.
“We can’t imagine how we lived without our beloved grandpa! Of course, his health declines with each year, but we periodically see a veterinarian and try to support the oldie, treating him and doing everything to make his retirement as comfortable and cozy as possible! He spends most of the day on his soft bed, sleeping and resting,” Alisa shared with NN.RU.
Stevie enjoys his retirement in a warm and friendly family.
Affectionate Salva
The dog with a beautiful coat was first named Bananachik. He immediately stood out for his hyperactivity and sociability.
Banana was later renamed Salva after being adopted permanently.
Volunteer Maria started working with Banana. They went outside the shelter grounds and spent a lot of time together. The girl wanted to take her ward home after just a couple of months of sessions, but circumstances turned out differently.
“Now Salva [Banana became Salvador] is the most comfortable dog in everyday life, he is very affectionate, gentle, and sensitive. In all the time he has lived with us — almost three years — he has never made a mess. In summer, we run in the mornings and go swimming. In winter, we go to the forest to dive into snowdrifts. Our love for each other only grows stronger, and I hope we will live together for a very, very long time,” Maria said.
Salva loves outdoor walks and diving into snowdrifts in winter.
In the summer, NN.RU told the story of Kaoshi — a mix of Siberian Husky and Japanese Akita Inu. The dog’s difficult story had it all: unscrupulous breeders, irresponsible owners, and a long process of raising a true “samurai.”
