Most often, adding a new pet to your family requires some thought and planning. Usually. But for one woman in North Carolina, all of that preparation went out the window the minute she began her first shift at her local Humane Society. Most people take home a sense of accomplishment after their first day at a new job – Katherine Ellis took home a dog.

A few hours into her first shift at the Humane Society of Charlotte, Katherine had never imagined she’d leave with a new companion. But as she toured the kennels, her attention was drawn to Rookie, a 1-year-old dog with a heartbreaking story. “Rookie had barely made it this far: just two days earlier, he was in a kill shelter, his life on the line,” Katherine said.

The older the dogs get, the less likely they are to be adopted,” she wrote in a TikTok video, which has since gone viral. Rookie was a happy dog, she said. “He was the absolute sweetest dog who just wants to be friends with every person and puppy that he sees.” Despite her promise to herself that she wouldn’t bring home a pet, Katherine couldn’t bear to leave Rookie behind.

Katherine waits with her boyfriend, Jake, to finalize the adoption of Rookie. Photo from TikTok

“We wanted to go in to just meet everyone and see the facility, but when we saw Rookie, we just couldn’t leave without him,” she said. The decision to adopt Rookie was unexpected but undeniably right. “He stole our hearts,” said Katherine and her boyfriend, Jake.

I knew his home was with us.”

Since then, Rookie has flourished in his new environment, embracing every moment with joy. “He’s already had his first pup cup and he’s now gained a pound from his first week with us — probably because he’s had so many treats,” said Katherine, laughing. Through Rookie’s journey, Katherine learned a valuable lesson about the power of adoption. “I can’t believe I even considered getting a dog from a breeder, especially knowing how sweet Rookie is and that he was potentially going to be put down at one point,” she said.

Rookie runs with new owner, Jake, after being adopted. Photo from TikTok

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), there are more than 3.1 million dogs who are in shelters in the United States each year. For Katherine, finding Rookie was a good reminder to adopt a pet, not shop for one.  “I cry tears of joy every time I think about saving him,” she said. “He makes us so happy and brings so much love into our home, I can’t imagine life without him now.” Watch below for the TikTok that changed everything for the new volunteer.

@itskatellisThe day that changed our lives forever😭🤍♬ original sound – Zach Bryan Archive

Sources: Newsweek | The Animal Club