Holiday plans usually come with a packing list and a loose itinerary, not a full-scale rescue mission. But for a woman named Chas, a trip abroad turned into something far bigger after she spotted an adoption post on Petfinder that she simply could not scroll past. She had never met the dog in person, yet she felt an instant pull to make it work, no matter how complicated the logistics became.
In the weeks that followed, Chas leaned into the kind of determination most of us reserve for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. She documented the journey on her Instagram account, @dear.fig, sharing a video that captured the moment she finally met the puppy she had been thinking about for months. The first encounter was all soft fur and overwhelmed relief, with the dog looking like a fluffy little cloud that had somehow stepped into real life.
Getting to that moment, though, was not as simple as showing up and signing papers. Chas and her partner headed to the shelter buzzing with nerves and excitement, and the seven-month-old pup sealed the deal instantly by leaping straight into their arms. The dog was described as a rare mix of Dalmatian and English Shepherd, complete with one striking blue eye and a calm temperament that felt especially important for a home that already included cats. It was the kind of match that feels almost too perfect, which is exactly why Chas fought so hard to keep it from falling apart.
Behind the scenes, the adoption came with plenty of stress, including urgent vet visits and careful coordination with an organization based in Las Vegas. The goal was to make sure the dog did not end up bouncing back into the system, or worse, landing in another shelter slot that might not be there when needed. When they finally arrived in Florida with their new family member, they celebrated in the most modern pet-parent way possible, with a stop at PetSmart where the puppy picked out fresh toys, a leash, and a collar.
By the time the video started making the rounds online, pulling in more than 24,000 likes, Chas still had not settled on a name. That part worked itself out quickly once the puppy made her preferences clear, charging after a favorite ball with such enthusiasm that she became Naga. Soon after, she was introduced to her new “brother,” Zuko, and the household officially shifted into that familiar, happy chaos that comes with adding a young dog to the mix.
Would you travel that far to adopt a pet you found online, or do you think love at first scroll is a little too risky? Share your thoughts in the comments.
