Someone once shared this beautiful thought: “Life is not one, but many journeys,” and it couldn’t be more accurate. No matter how many unexpected twists and turns you encounter, there’s always a chance you’ll find yourself on the right path… fingers crossed, at least.
Such is the story of Kano, who, after spending his entire life with his beloved family, unexpectedly ends up in a shelter but eventually finds his way back home.
Trust Your Gut Instinct
Photo Credit: LifeLineAnimalProject
Meet Kano, also known as Skillet at the shelter that took him in. He arrived at DeKalb County Animal Services in Georgia, where he spent five months waiting for a forever family. Despite his easygoing, sweet, and lovable nature, Skillet wasn’t getting adopted.
As the DeKalb County shelter ran out of space, Skillet was transferred to the LifeLine Animal Project adoption center in Atlanta. This move turned out to be exactly the right path for Skillet.
Once he was at the Atlanta shelter, it didn’t take long for him to find a family—or better yet, to find his way back home. LifeLine Animal Project shared the happy news on Facebook, saying, “Kano, formerly known as Skillet to his shelter family, has found his way home! He found the best outcome; being reunited with his family!”
Kano was overjoyed when he saw a familiar face walk into the shelter. The mother of Kano’s former owner (his grandmother) found his picture on the shelter’s website after trusting her gut feeling to search for their old pet.
Following Her Heart
Photo Credit: LifeLineAnimalProject
According to the mother, her son had raised Kano in the Blue Ridge Mountains since he was a little pup. “He was the best, most loving dog ever.” When her son decided to join the Army, she had to rehome Kano due to other family commitments. But she soon felt an intuitive sense to look for him.
“I randomly started looking online one night and found another dog that looked like him. I found the LifeLine website, and there he was. I emailed and came the next night after work. I’m so thankful for everything,” she shared.
Kano Going Home
Photo Credit: LifeLineAnimalProject
Patricia Knowles Hughes, Placement Manager at LifeLine Animal Project, said it was heartwarming to see Kano recognize his grandma. “The kennel tech said he did a 360 turn when she walked up and called him Kano. They had everyone in the building crying happy tears,” Hughes commented.
Witnessing the recognition and joy in Kano’s eyes was an incredibly touching moment. “I knew in my soul he needed me; it’s like he was calling me somehow. I tell him every day I’m sorry and that I love him so much. I still feel the guilt, but I hope he knows and feels my love,” the woman said, according to LifeLine Animal Project’s Facebook post.
In the end, everything worked out beautifully. The woman, who remained unnamed, was now able to buy a house with a fenced-in backyard where Kano could play. “My son is about to be deployed and has not been able to see Kano in person, only on FaceTime! But Kano happily responds to him over the phone,” she said.
Sometimes, it takes traveling many paths to finally arrive at the perfect destination.
