Three-legged dog needed a home. Then, family hundreds of miles away fell in love
A three-legged dog needed a home — then a family living hundreds of miles away fell in love with her.
“A family from New Jersey, moved by her story on social media, applied to adopt her,” an animal rescue wrote April 28 in a blog post. “They drove all the way to North Carolina to meet the dog they already loved from afar.”
The Triangle Beagle Rescue of North Carolina said the family then adopted Luna, giving her a second chance after she experienced a rough patch.
“Luna’s journey is a reminder: even broken beginnings can lead to beautiful endings, especially when love leads the way,” the Raleigh-area rescue wrote.
Luna landed at a shelter after she had been shot in one of her front legs. When the shelter asked for help, the Triangle Beagle Rescue stepped in and determined Luna needed to have the injured leg amputated.
“Scared, skittish, and with her gunshot wound oozing, she was a trooper, waiting 2 weeks for her surgery, because of how busy animal hospitals are in the area,” Jeanne Latshaw, her former foster parent, told McClatchy News via email. “She could put very little weight on that leg, so physically adjusting to the amputation was actually quite easy for her, and she healed quickly, although the emotional healing took a little more time.”
Luna became known as a “shy” and “cautious” pup. Over time, she developed a love for pizza crust “treats” and stuck around the kitchen in hopes of getting food scraps.
“She’s quiet, observant, and leaves only a few nose prints on the windows as proof of her gentle curiosity,” rescuers wrote in a Facebook post.
As Luna waited for a fresh start, the rescue hoped she would find a patient owner and a canine friend to help her gain trust. At one point, she caught the eye of the family living in New Jersey, leading to the heartwarming adoption.
Now, Luna is quickly adjusting to her new home with Chelsea Crowley, Scott Cammerino and their two other dogs.
“My husband and I had been toying with the idea of a third but it wasn’t until nearly a year later that I saw Luna’s post and knew we had to apply,” Crowley told McClatchy News via email. “We just had a feeling she would fit in so well here with us. We’re so lucky to have her.”
This story was originally published April 29, 2025 at 9:01 AM with the headline "Three-legged dog needed a home. Then, family hundreds of miles away fell in love."
