We never truly know how much love a stray animal has to give until we open our hearts and homes to them. Once they find that safe place, they hold on forever.
Lakita’s journey has been far from easy. This American Bully was fighting for her life from the moment her first owners heartlessly abandoned her.
For months, Lakita roamed the streets of Kentucky, struggling to survive. She waited and waited, hoping someone would show her kindness.
But as time wore on and her strength faded, Lakita had no choice but to curl up on a random porch and fall asleep, hoping for a better tomorrow.
When she opened her eyes, that miracle she had been waiting for finally arrived—just in time.
Moments Away from the Point of No Return
Tracy Korfhage, from MisPits and Friends Rescue in Louisville, Kentucky, got a call from a woman who had found a frail dog curled up by her porch.
Although Tracy didn’t usually take dogs straight off the street, something inside told her this was different. The woman explained that the dog was on the brink of death, and Tracy immediately rushed to help.
When she arrived, Tracy saw Lakita lying atop a pile of trash, smelling horribly, and too weak to move.
Her heart broke at the sight of this poor girl, on the verge of losing her life, simply because someone had abandoned her.
Lakita had no strength left and seemed to have given up, but Tracy hadn’t.
A Miraculous Transformation
Tracy and a colleague scooped Lakita up and brought her to animal control, giving her owners a chance to come forward. Unsurprisingly, no one did.
Determined to help her heal, Tracy took Lakita home. And that’s when the miraculous transformation began.
In just two weeks, Lakita gained 14 pounds. The once frail dog blossomed into a strong, sturdy girl. She started playing in Tracy’s backyard and slowly came out of her shell.
“She enjoys the simple things in life, like sunbathing in the yard, chewing on a bone, or napping,” Tracy shared.
Finding a New Family
As Lakita grew healthier, so did her bond with Tracy. They spent months training together, with Lakita learning basic commands and walking on a leash.
While she was selective around other dogs, showing no aggression, Lakita was finally ready for a forever home.
Right before Christmas in 2019, Tracy and her team posted festive photos of Lakita dressed in her holiday best, and the post quickly went viral.
“Lakita lives for food! She even dances at dinnertime. Her Christmas wish is to be curled up at home watching holiday movies,” her caregivers wrote on Facebook.
Many people fell in love with Lakita, but one couple stood out—Sebastian and Ashtyn Garrison. They knew from the moment they saw her that she was meant to be their forever dog.
A New Beginning
Sebastian and Ashtyn arranged to meet Lakita, and it was clear from the start—she belonged with them. Lakita immediately warmed up to her new family, especially the children.
At last, Lakita had found the perfect home. Surrounded by love, her new siblings, and her doting family, she blossomed into the happiest, most affectionate dog.
With the help of her new family, Lakita left her past behind, and today she’s living her best life, filled with love and joy.