After more than 1,000 days at a Texas animal shelter, a six-year-old boxer mix named Elle has finally discovered a loving forever home, saying a heartfelt goodbye to the place that has been her home for over three years.

Elle arrived at Austin Pets Alive! in December 2021 from a local shelter, where she was categorized as a behavior support case. Before her time at the shelter, she had stayed with a foster family and had several “sleepovers,” which unfortunately ended quickly due to “transitional stress,” as reported by Kaitlan Warmbrod, the Dog Behavior Training Supervisor at APA!.

“When I met her almost four years ago, she had just returned from another failed placement,” Warmbrod shared with YSL News this week. “The new environment made her quite anxious, leading her to pace around and display excess energy. She was returned several times for these reasons.”

According to Warmbrod, Elle’s initial challenges included pulling on the leash and barking at other dogs and people, alongside displaying mixed signals during medical handling.

“Sadly, the stress of shelter life with limited opportunities only intensified her behaviors, and she missed much-needed practice meeting new people. When she finally could interact, she’d often become overly excited, jumping on people or putting herself in uncomfortable situations because she wanted to connect but wasn’t entirely at ease with physical interaction,” explained Warmbrod.

“This led to many people being reluctant to engage with her, creating a troubling cycle of limited outlets and escalating behaviors,” Warmbrod noted.

‘We just clicked’

When Warmbrod first encountered Elle in an office rather than a kennel, she disregarded the advice not to touch the dog, opting instead to play with Elle and offer her treats.

Shortly before leaving, Elle started to whine, raising Warmbrod’s concerns.

“I worried she might be hurt, so I sat down next to her, and she crawled into my lap seeking cuddles,” Warmbrod recounted. “In that moment, we just connected, and from then on, I was fully invested in her.”

Throughout the subsequent three and a half years, Warmbrod worked diligently with Elle to improve her behaviors and boost her confidence in human interactions. Warmbrod emphasized that Elle required time to “warm up to people” and wasn’t at ease when approached abruptly.

“She needs gradual introductions,” Warmbrod explained.

Simultaneously, Elle sometimes displayed overexcitement, running around wildly or jumping, which could be overwhelming. Warmbrod focused on helping her manage these moments.

Elle also required training to become comfortable with other dogs. Warmbrod described Elle’s behavior as “goofy” around canines, necessitating separate training until she could handle herself appropriately. This behavior had also posed challenges for her foster and adoption prospects, particularly in homes with existing dogs.

However, Elle is now at ease around other dogs. Although she still needs to refine her leash skills, she has improved significantly and is able to remain calm while waiting for people and dogs to pass at a distance of 15-20 feet, although getting closer can still be intimidating for her.

A new chance at home

Despite the immense effort made by Warmbrod and the shelter team, it took a significant amount of time for Elle to be adopted into a nurturing home.

“I believe it was mainly because she is a larger dog,” observed Warmbrod. “Sometimes her appearance can be somewhat intimidating, which likely contributed to the lack of interest in her adoption.”

Elle’s new foster understood her needs

Elle’s fortune changed when a foster named John came across her profile on social media and specifically sought to meet her, having learned that she was one of APA!’s longest-staying dogs. John had previously owned a dog who displayed fear-based behaviors, so he was well-versed in caring for such animals.

“John recognized that Elle needed extra time to get comfortable with people and was eager to commit to as many relationship-building sessions as necessary, which was fantastic,” Warmbrod remarked.

Elle was given the time and understanding she needed, as the staff at the animal shelter worked patiently with her to help her feel comfortable and confident on her own schedule.

Farewell Celebration

As Elle prepared to leave APA!, the shelter staff and volunteers organized a farewell celebration for her, featuring a special pupcake and plenty of affection. Kaitlan was emotional after receiving a video showing Elle leaping with joy upon seeing John.

“She’s truly an amazing dog, absolutely perfect,” Warmbrod remarked.

Elle has been adjusting well to her new home and has formed a lovely bond with John. Warmbrod noted that Elle spends the entire day with her new dad, snuggling on the couch and sitting by him while he works.

Initially, John took Elle in as a foster to assess her compatibility with his home, but Warmbrod conveyed that he is now considering adopting her.

“John feels comfortable moving forward with adopting Elle because she truly feels at home and has become a wonderful addition to his family,” Warmbrod explained.

Kaitlan encourages more individuals to consider adopting shelter dogs.

“People simply need to give them a chance and recognize their complexities,” she mentioned. “Being patient with their transitional challenges is key, and it’s important not to assume that all dogs can handle everything. Allow them to adjust at their own pace and don’t judge solely by appearances.”