The coronavirus pandemic has caused many animal shelters and rescues to seek out volunteers to open their homes and foster or adopt a furry friend. While taking care of a precious pooch is a complete joy, it is still a selfless act, no matter the circumstance, but especially now when everything feels uncertain. 

Jalka’s life has been mostly spent in a shelter and not knowing the reality of a home life. We had the pleasure of speaking to Alicia Girard, one of the incredible people who made the choice to save a dog’s life during this difficult time. Not only that, but her story helps prove there are still happy endings even when the world seems bleak. 

Alicia explained that her local shelter, like many throughout the country, had “closed to the public” and expressed an urgent need for foster and adoptions “I figured we would be able to help through the pandemic as we don't have any other ground running pets,” stated the mother-of-one. 

She soon reached out to the Beaverhead County Animal Shelter to volunteer to be a foster, the shelter is located in Dillon, Montana. After she noted that her pets consisted of rats and tarantulas, the shelter assigned her family with Jalka, an adorable Pit Bull mix who had previously been unable to be placed as he is “both dog and cat aggressive.” Alicia explained that for the entirety of his life, the 3-year-old pup had been “passed from shelter to shelter,” never quite finding his forever family. That is, up until very recently. 

When the family arrived at the shelter, Alicia shared "Jalka came BARRELING out at 60 mph, knocked my daughter straight over and hit everyone with his extremely heavy tail.. he jumped up and licked my face 50 times.. I thought to myself OMG, what have I gotten myself into ?!?!?!?! As my little girl is yelling from the ground MOM I LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!!”

While Alicia only expected to be fostering Jalka for a weekend, the dog had an instant connection with her family. She described his transition from the shelter to her house as “flawless.” Within hours the family made the decision that Jalka was the missing part of their family.

She noted that she also has a particular fondess for pit bull mixes, explaining that she “grew up with… [a] lab- pit mix [who had] been amazing her whole life” and added that she “have never ever once had a bad experience with them being around [her] or [her] kiddo.”

So it came as an easy decision to give Jalka, a dog who truly beat the odds, a permanent home. It’s no wonder why Alicia considers his adoption to be a “Cinderella Story.” 

Alicia also revealed that prior to this experience she had never been a foster pup parent. She proceeded to encourage others to follow her lead, stating “these animals deserve quality  love and care especially during such a hard time since shelters won't be able to have volunteers for the time being.”

So if you are able, you may want to take Alicia’s advice. You never know, you may also find a dog as special as Jalka. 

Photo Credits: Beaverhead Animal Shelter, Alicia Nadine Webster