It was just a regular Saturday for Alexandra Waychoff and her family, the owners of a ranch in North Carolina. Not knowing that they were in for a surprise, the family was enjoying a sunny day and doing some work in the yard. Suddenly, a stray pup they never met before appeared out of nowhere and ran into their driveway.

The doggo was malnourished, hungry, and extremely friendly. The moment she arrived, she ran into the arms of Waychoff’s 11-year-old son. The family felt compelled to help the delightful stray who was in need of help and compassion.

Extending a Helping Hand

The kind-hearted humans gave her a bath and removed some ticks from her fur. Since they weren’t sure whether the doggo was completely healthy, they decided not to bring her into their house to meet their other dogs. The family made her a bed in a barn, thinking that the stray pup wouldn’t stay long at the ranch and would eventually find her way back home.

The next morning, when the family got up, they were surprised to see the same pup curled up in front of their door. Her eyes looked sad, and she seemed to be asking for help. Waychoff and her family began thinking that the pup had nowhere to go, so they took her to the vet.

They learned that the stray pup was a Carolina dog – an ancient and rare breed that’s known for being feral. “She looks to be around a year old, is very thin, and doesn’t look like she’s been fed regularly. She has intestinal worms, fleas, and ticks, and her ankle looks to have recently healed from a break,” Waychoff told Newsweek. After finding out that the pooch didn’t have a microchip, the good people took her into their care.

Since she first arrived on May 4th, they decided to name her Leia, a reference to Star Wars. They began giving her treatment in order to remove the fleas and ticks from her body. Leia was grateful for their help.

Receiving the Love She Always Needed

Waychoff and her family quickly bonded with the canine, giving her all their love. Leia loved lying in Waychoff’s arms, soaking up her affection. She felt safe and calm. The more time the Waychoffs spent with Leia, the more they fell in love with her loving personality.

From the day Leia wandered onto their property, Waychoff shared the pup’s videos on her TikTok account, hoping to inspire her followers to help animals in need. “…I hope that videos like mine help people open their hearts to all types of animals and inspire them to treat animals well no matter what,” she added.

The family gave Leia time to adapt to life on the North Carolina ranch. They slowly began introducing her to Bo Brando, their rescue cat, and to their other dogs, Stella, a German Shepherd, and Capone, a Goldendoodle. The Waychoffs were convinced that Leia’s wandering into their lives wasn’t a coincidence.

On May 7th, 2024, Waychoff shared amazing news. The sweet pup captivated the family’s heart, and they decided to give her a forever home. “Even though she’s only been with us for a few days, we bonded to her and feel that she was sent to us for a reason. We’ve decided to keep her and give her the best life we can, because her beautiful doggie soul deserves it,” she wrote in a TikTok video.

Celebrating Leia’s Birthday

Today, we’re not just celebrating Leia’s rescue but also her first birthday since she joined the Waychoff family. This special day is a testament to her incredible journey and the kindness of the Waychoff family who gave her a new lease on life. The family organized a small party for Leia, complete with decorations and a special cake made just for her.

Leia’s birthday is not just a celebration of her age but also a celebration of love, resilience, and the power of compassion. Surrounded by her new family and fellow furry friends, Leia is now living the life she always deserved.

A Call to Action

Leia’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and quick action. Her rescue and the celebration of her birthday serve as a beacon of hope and a call to action. We should all strive to show kindness to animals in need, whether they are domestic pets or stray animals like Leia.

Let’s take this opportunity to appreciate the heroes among us who go out of their way to save animals in distress. Their actions make the world a better place, one rescue at a time.

Happy Birthday, Leia!

Happy Birthday, Leia! Your story is a shining example of resilience and the power of compassion. Here’s to many more birthdays filled with love, care, and the joy of being surrounded by those who truly care for you.