After Tragedy Struck, This Dog Waited In A New Jersey Shelter For A Second Chance At Happiness
Rena had spent much of her life in a state of waiting. First, she waited on the tough streets of D.C., hoping for a kind gesture, a meal, and a safe spot to rest her weary body.
For a brief time, she thought she had found a place to call home. But then, that hope was shattered when her adopter passed away, and though their family tried to take her in, things just didn’t work out.
Once again, Rena found herself back at a shelter, waiting in limbo. She was overlooked, ignored, and left behind as others passed her by.
Eventually, Rena was transferred to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in New Jersey, hoping for a fresh start. But still, no one chose her. That was until Nicole walked in.
Nicole hadn’t planned on adopting. She was still mourning the loss of Trixie, their beloved dog, and had only come to drop off donations at the shelter where she had once found Trixie years ago.
As Nicole walked past the rows of barking dogs, it was Rena’s silence that caught her attention.
It wasn’t the noise that stood out – it was the stillness of the dog in front of her.
Rena sat still, her eyes full of yearning. The way she gazed up at Nicole instantly reminded her of Trixie, tugging at her heart.
It felt like more than mere chance, as Nicole explained in an interview:
“Rena was the only dog that wasn’t barking… She was just sitting there looking for someone to come pet her. Trixie was also the only dog in the shelter who was not barking. So that really spoke to me.”
A week later, Nicole found herself unable to stop thinking about Rena. She decided to sign up for a shelter field trip, where dogs get to spend a few hours outside their kennels.
As soon as Rena stepped into Nicole’s apartment, it was as if she had always been there. She leaped onto the couch and covered Nicole’s boyfriend in affectionate kisses.
Rena wasn’t shy or unsure – she was simply at home. By the end of the day, Nicole and her boyfriend knew they couldn’t bear to let her go.
Adjusting to their new life together came with its fair share of surprises. Rena was nothing like the older dogs they had cared for in the past.
She was playful, full of energy, and always up for mischief. Her soft, floppy ears bounced with every move, making it impossible not to fall in love with her.
Nicole’s friends affectionately nicknamed her the “chocolate cow” because of her unique coat, and honestly, it was a perfect fit.
There were small, unexplainable moments that made Nicole believe Trixie had somehow played a part in bringing Rena into their lives. As Nicole explained:
“She loves the same toys that Trixie loved… Trixie had specific spots outside that she always gravitated towards, and sometimes I’ll catch Reena near those spots just sniffing around so it’s almost like did she feel that Trixie was there at one point.”
It wasn’t just the familiar habits; Rena had a gentle, intuitive spirit that made her truly one of a kind. She always seemed to sense when someone needed her, offering quiet comfort in the sweetest ways.
On one especially hard day, Nicole’s mother was feeling low, and Rena simply walked over, curled up beside her, and stayed there for hours.
No one taught her that. It was instinct. It was love. And maybe, just maybe, it was Trixie’s way of still being there, too.
At first, Rena hardly made a sound, but once she settled in and truly felt at home, her voice finally came out.
Today, when she wants attention, she lets out the softest little woof. Nicole shared:
“If we’re not giving her enough attention, she’ll do like a little whisper bark like a soft bark like, ‘Hey, you need to play with me.’”
Nicole doesn’t believe in coincidences. Trixie’s name meant “joy,” and when she looked up Rena’s name, she was struck by the fact that it also meant “joy.”
It felt like more than just a new chapter. Maybe Rena was a reminder of Trixie’s love, still shining in Nicole’s life.
Regardless, one thing was clear: Rena had found her perfect place.
