It was October 2015, just twenty-seven days after our beloved Saffinka passed away.

Something inside me whispered that I should start browsing animal shelter websites.

I wasn’t even sure who I was looking for—we still had two dogs at home…

But then I entered the website of the Bielsko-Biała municipal shelter "Reksio"

and saw something that broke my heart:

Terror in her eyes. Matted fur everywhere.

And that was it.

I knew I had to get her out of there.

I called some volunteer friends—and off we went.

What we found was pure misery:

a motionless little puppet curled up in a corner, head down, not moving at all.

With the shelter’s permission, we immediately took her to the vet,

where she stayed for several days.

On October 27th, Yuki moved in with us.

And that’s when the real journey began.

She hid in every gap and corner—under beds, behind furniture.

She wouldn’t eat. Wouldn’t drink. Wouldn’t relieve herself.

She wouldn’t go outside.

She only came alive at night—when everyone was asleep.

And whenever she heard a man’s voice, she ran.

A full veterinary exam revealed that she had no front teeth

and that her tiny 8 kg body contained buckshot pellets.

They estimated she was around five years old

and had already endured more than any soul should.

Her adjustment period took two very hard months

—for her, and for us.

But now?

Yuki is adored by everyone.

We call her our cloud-chasing dog,

because she brings sunshine wherever she goes.

Every morning, she wakes us up by bouncing on the bed

and snapping her toothless mouth like it’s a game.

She loves stealing food from the other dogs.

She is pure gratitude,

a total cuddlebug,

and perfectly obedient.

One thing we’ve all noticed:

She shares so many of the same little habits and quirks as our beloved Saffinka.

We like to say that Saffinka sent her to us,

knowing she’d be safe and loved here.

Despite the tough times—our helplessness, her pain—I recommend adoption to everyone.

Each of us has the power to save a dog’s life and gain a true friend in return.

There is no other way for me.

I could never buy a dog,

knowing there is somewhere out there,

a soul who needs me.

My kindred spirit.