@gabrielecorno9: This is Jessica, 32, from Portland, Oregon. She's a foster volunteer for Second Chance Rescue. Two weeks ago, they asked if she could emergency foster a dog. Just for two weeks until they found him a permanent home. The dog is Duke, a 9-year-old Pit Bull. His owner passed away. No family to take him. Duke was depressed. Wouldn't eat. Barely moved Jessica said yes. Brought Duke home. The first three days, Duke didn't move from the corner. Wouldn't eat. Wouldn't engage. Jessica sat with him. Talked to him. Gave him space. Day four, Duke walked over to Jessica. Put his head in her lap. Started crying. A deep, heartbreaking cry. Jessica held him. Both of them cried. From that moment, Duke didn't leave Jessica's side. Followed her everywhere. Slept in her bed. Leaned against her legs while she cooked. Yesterday was day fourteen. The rescue coordinator, Maria, came to pick up Duke. Found a potential adopter. Jessica was sitting on the floor with Duke when Maria arrived. Maria had the leash. "Ready?" she asked. Jessica looked at Duke. Duke looked at Jessica. Jessica started crying. "I can't," she said. "I can't give him up. He's mine." Maria smiled. Pulled out different paperwork. Adoption papers. "I had a feeling," Maria said. Jessica signed the papers right there. Duke is officially hers now. Jessica told us: "| foster dogs all the time. I've fostered twenty-three dogs in two years. I'm good at letting them go. But Duke... Duke's different. He's been through so much. He chose me. I can't give him away." Duke's still depressed sometimes. Still grieving his owner. But he has Jessica now. And Jessica has him. Sometimes a foster becomes forever.

Gabriele Corno

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Sunday 06 September 2026 16:55:44 GMT