From shelter to spotlight

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A stray comes home

“It was just a matter of time,” recalls Atlanta resident Jessica Starobinets. “With Theo, the timing just worked out perfectly.”

True friendship doesn’t always arrive on schedule, but it’s never late. “I had wanted a dog for about three years when I first moved to Atlanta, but I knew that I didn't have the time,” Jessica says. Then, along came Theo, an 87-pound mutt with an adorable mug who would transform her home (and some of her furniture) forever.

Through a historic blizzard, separation anxiety and unexpected illness, Jessica and Theo overcame fear and uncertainty together to build an unshakable bond.

A new home

“I grew up in Southern Indiana in a medium-sized town, and we had two dogs – Welsh Corgis, Seamus and Sophie. We had them since I was five, and they were wonderful. When they had both passed, we lasted five days without a dog.” says Jessica. “Pets have always been such an integral part of our family. So, I knew when I moved to Atlanta that I wanted to get a dog, but at first, I was super busy with my career.”

After three long years in the city without a companion, Jessica saw a Facebook post that would alter her life’s trajectory. Some local Kennesaw State University students were in search of a home for a handsome stray that they’d rescued in Mississippi. “He was just the cutest dog I'd ever seen,” Jessica recalls, thinking back on seeing that first photo. “My job had slowed down by that time, so I knew the moment was right.”

Through the ice and snow

After contacting the students, Jessica made plans to drive up to Kennesaw, about 30 miles outside town. The weather had other ideas, though.

Turns out, the day that Jessica set aside to adopt Theo was the day of a historic winter storm – the famed “Snowpocalypse” in Atlanta. The city was totally unprepared for all the snow and ice that came, and people were stranded on the roads for hours.

“My roommate, being the Indiana guy that he is, had a four-wheel drive pickup truck. He was just as excited to get Theo as I was, so he offered to drive up there in the snow and sleet to go pick him up.” After many hours spent creeping along treacherous, icy roads, Theo was finally home.