How Adopting Simba Changed Our Lives: A Journey of Love, Healing, and Second Chances

My name is Ella. I have been working for and with the Empowered Companion as a Professional Pet Sitter since November of 2023. I would like to share my experience adopting from a shelter, and how much that action has impacted my life, as well as the life of a shelter animal.

The Decision to Adopt

In May of 2024, I was going through an extremely difficult time. I had been on the fence about adopting a dog with my partner for a few months at that point, and something clicked in me that I needed an affectionate, adventurous companion. While my 15 year old childhood kitty, Madelie, has been with me forever, she really isn’t a lover of physical affection. She provides support in her own ways, and has saved me multiple times. However, I knew I needed an additional companion that would get me out of the house. I was aware the responsibility would be large.

I was ready for the change and prepared to help an animal who recently lost their family.

Meeting Simba

The day I met Simba, May 23rd, 2024, was the day my life changed for the better. My fiancé and I visited the Leslie A. Malone Center at Dumb Friends League near Aurora, just a few hours before closing. We took our time reading about each dog in their care, saying hello through the partition, and analyzing which dog would not only fit in at our home, but benefit from doing so. Madelie’s sworn enemy is every other cat to exist, and we knew she would be okay with dogs - we just had to make sure the dog would also be okay with her. 

Upon our walks throughout the center, we came across a 6 year old Pitbull named Simba, who was brought in the day before his 6th birthday in April. We both wanted to meet him as soon as we saw him - even though his fur was very brittle, hard, and dull, he had the sweetest face and the biggest smile. He had also recently undergone a partial amputation surgery for Happy Tail Syndrome, a repeated injury of the tail in which the dog wags their tail so hard against the walls of their kennel that it continues to lesion and break. We took a chance and decided to set up a meeting with him. 

Falling in Love with Simba

After we were seated in the meeting room, he came in with a staff member. Immediately, my heart melted at his excitement and overjoyed demeanor to interact with us. He was so happy to say hi that he accidentally nipped my fiance’s nose and stumbled over himself, slipping and tripping on the smooth floor. We knew immediately that he was the one! He had his favorite shelter toy with him, and would bring it to us any chance he had.

Bringing Simba Home

I have never seen an animal as excited to get into the car, let alone leave a building, than Simba. He was beside himself, and I think it clicked for him that we were finally going home. 

Simba didn’t want to go potty in the backyard when we arrived, instead pawing at the door to inside while looking up at me. Once inside, he did a quick sweep of our small home. It didn’t take him more than 30 seconds before he leapt up onto our bed, found his way between the two of us, and promptly fell asleep. Simba slept for a while. The relief we saw in his eyes, his body language, and his immediate relaxation was something invaluable. 

Introducing Simba to Madelie

The introduction of Simba and Madelie over the next few weeks went very well. She maintained her queendom, as well as her regal title. Simba has taught both me, my fiance, and Madelie great amounts of patience. He is full of nothing but love, and his size and anxiety can be a lot sometimes. I have especially learned the importance of reassurance and gentle guidance to create a space of balance, calm, and security for all of us. Adoption truly saved his life! 

Simba's Healing Journey: A New Routine and Life Together

Simba’s tail healed very quickly, his shaved hair grew back, and he is finally at a stable, comfortable weight. Within a week or two, his coat was shiny, his eyes had a sparkle, and he was soft to the touch. It has been a few months since we adopted Simba, and he has really started to learn our routines. He insists on sleeping in the middle of me and my fiance every night, he and Madelie are friendly, his allergies and anxiety are being treated, my physical health has changed (which greatly impacts my mental wellbeing), and I feel safe being home alone with him to protect me. 

Simba is the embodiment of a dog’s loyalty and pure love. 

Simba's Impact on Our Lives

I never thought I would own a dog, and I am eternally grateful that Simba found us. He never shies away from asking for his needs, he is so intelligent & a great learner, and he teaches me and my fiance more about taking care of ourselves every day. Simba was fortunate to be adopted so quickly, and his brilliant transition over the past few months is evidence that adoption saves lives. 

Looking to the Future

I look forward to learning more about his undying protectiveness of me, working with his vet to help ease his anxieties, continuing to obtain information about pitbull breeds, advocating against the stigma that bully breeds have, and giving him the most fulfilling life that he deserves. 

Simba has changed my life, my future, and my mental state for the better, simply by just existing. 

He can test my patience, and there is nothing more rewarding than his success. Simba was given a second chance at life, and shows us his gratitude every day. I don’t know what I would do without him, and I am so grateful for the time we have spent together, and the memories that wait to be created.

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This article is brought to you by Jaime Kuhn, the founder of The Empowered Companion, a platform dedicated to enriching family life through mindful and compassionate practices with our animal friends. 

©2024 The Empowered Companion

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