Older dog from Wake County shelter travels 3,000 miles to a new home

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — With so many dogs that need homes, the Wake County Animal Center is often over capacity, and it can be difficult to find families even for young healthy dogs.

So when an older dog with health issues ended up at the shelter, it took a cross-country effort to get him to his new home.

Elliott, the cattle dog mix fits right in with the more than 130 animals at the California sanctuary known as Lucky Ones Ranch. It has certainly taken a little luck, and a lot of love, to get him there.

His journey started about 3,000 miles away from his eventual home in Vacaville, Calif.

“I learned that Elliott found himself at the Wake County Animal shelter,” recalled Alesja Daehnrich, who along with her husband, founded The Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary in Rougemont, North Carolina, which primarily takes in farm animals.

“I immediately noticed he was a senior and my heart just broke,” Daehnrich continued. She knew finding homes for elderly animals is tough, and Elliott also had a tumor on his side.

“He was a senior with serious health concerns,” Daehnrich said. “Our dog and cat rescues here are overwhelmed. Nobody came forward, unfortunately.”

While they couldn’t take Elliott themselves, The Blind Spot shared his story on social media. All the way in California, Thao Le saw the post.

“My heart just was like, ‘Oh my God, I have to have him. I we have to rescue him.'” Le remembered.

Le and Vince Ones, the founders of Lucky Ones Ranch, knew they were Elliott’s best hope for a forever home. The couple, both of whom work in law enforcement, cares for more than 130 animals, including several cattle dogs.

“We specialize in all kinds of animals. We have 18 different species,” explained Le. “From horses to donkeys, sheep, cows, you name it, we probably have it, and we provide them a forever home.”

Given Elliott’s age and medical situation, they said they wanted to make sure no closer rescues could step in. Once they realized they were the best option, they worked with the shelter, Elliott’s foster home, and a dog transporter to get him to California.

The trip, which is about 3,000 miles wasn’t easy.

“It took about four days. There was a lot of weather,” said Le.

When Elliott arrived, Le and Ones said he instantly seemed to know he was home. Elliott spent most of a Zoom interview licking Le’s face and holding onto her with his paw.

“Also, with the other animals that we have, he’s s getting along with everybody else out there, the donkeys, the llamas” added Ones. “He’s not fazed by them.”

Elliott will receive treatment for a cancerous tumor. He’s also being treated for a tick-borne illness, but his ailments aren’t slowing him down. The senior dog is volunteering at a senior center, providing pet therapy for memory care patients.

“That’s what we’re all about, is helping animals and people at the same time,” Le noted.

Whatever his future holds, he will spend the rest of his life loved, and everyone involved in Elliott’s journey is grateful for the match made from one coast to another.

Daehnrich smiled as she said, “It was a lucky one.”

If you’d like to follow Elliott’s journey, you can click here.