When Boogie first stepped through the gates of a shelter in Downey, California, it was hard for anyone to ignore him.
The three-year-old had warm brown eyes, a gentle heart, and a calm way of greeting both people and other dogs.
Staff and volunteers quickly grew attached, noticing how he leaned into every scratch and quietly wagged his tail at anyone who passed by.
A Life Hanging by Minutes
Yet, despite his sweetness, Boogie’s future was suddenly clouded with fear. He had been placed on the shelter’s euthanasia list.
It wasn’t because of any behavior problems or aggression. Instead, the decision came down to an illness the staff believed he had — kennel cough.
With overcrowding and limited resources, a simple diagnosis could become a death sentence.
Every passing hour meant Boogie’s time was running out.
For a dog who had done nothing but love, it was a cruel twist of fate. Still, there was a tiny window of hope, if only the right person could reach him in time.
Racing Against the Clock
That hope appeared in the form of a shelter volunteer named Ella, who immediately contacted Fur Love Haven Rescue in Oregon after hearing about Boogie’s situation.
The rescue group quickly agreed they needed to act. But to get him out of the shelter, they first had to find a foster home willing to take him in right away.
Ava Taddeo, an animal lover with a big heart, got the call. When she learned how little time Boogie had left, she didn’t hesitate.
She grabbed her keys and began the drive to the shelter without a second thought. The urgency of the moment weighed heavily on her — she was racing the clock to save a life.
She arrived just two hours before Boogie’s scheduled euthanasia.
The moment she saw him, she felt a deep connection. Leading him out of the shelter, she could sense his relief. His steps were hesitant at first, as if he couldn’t believe he was leaving.
But once he was in her car, his eyes softened, and he gazed out the window like he was finally breathing freely again.
The ride home became his “freedom drive.”
Every passing mile seemed to wash away a bit more of his fear. Ava promised herself that this dog, who had narrowly escaped death, would know nothing but kindness from now on.
Healing, Love, and a Forever Home
Once home, Ava gave Boogie a warm bath and a soft blanket. For the first time in a long while, he could relax without the constant barking and stress of shelter life.
The next day, Ava took him to the vet for a full checkup. To her surprise, the diagnosis wasn’t kennel cough at all — Boogie had pneumonia.
The vet prescribed medication, and Ava committed to helping him recover completely.
Day by day, Boogie’s health improved. His playful side began to emerge, and he found joy in the simplest things — walks on the beach, naps in the sun, and curling up beside Ava at night.
Though his past remained a mystery, Ava noticed that he especially loved being around older people.
She began to suspect that he might have once lived with an elderly owner who had cared for him deeply. Perhaps they had passed away, leaving him without a home.
Whatever his history, Ava knew one thing for certain — Boogie had been loved before, and he would be loved again.
She had initially agreed to foster him until he found a permanent family, but as the weeks went by, she realized she couldn’t let him go.
The bond they shared was too strong, and Boogie had already found his forever home.
Today, Boogie is a completely different dog from the one who entered that shelter. He’s healthy, happy, and surrounded by people who adore him.
For Ava, the experience has been life-changing. She still reflects on that day when she arrived just in time, knowing that a matter of hours had made all the difference.
“It’s the most rewarding thing,” she’s said to friends, “to watch a dog go from the brink of losing everything to living a life full of love and health.”
Boogie’s story is a reminder of how quickly things can change when compassion meets action.
One phone call, one drive, and one open heart turned a scheduled goodbye into the beginning of a beautiful new life. And for Boogie, that second chance is all he ever needed.