We Helped Save a Dog from the Shelter with the Help of Subaru

We Helped Save a Dog from the Shelter with the Help of Subaru đŸ¶â€

I was scrolling through our local shelter’s Instagram feed when I saw her — a scruffy little brown-and-white pup named Daisy, sitting alone in her kennel, eyes wide and tired. The caption read: “Daisy has been with us for over 90 days. She’s sweet, well-behaved, and just wants a family. Help us find her a forever home.”

I turned my phone to my girlfriend, Rachel. “She looks like she’s already given up,” I said.

Rachel nodded, her face already doing that thing it does before she makes a big, emotional decision. “We should go meet her.”

So we did.

We visited the shelter the next day. Daisy was shy at first. She didn’t run to greet us like some dogs do — instead, she walked slowly, cautiously, like she didn’t want to get her hopes up. When Rachel knelt down, Daisy sat next to her and placed her head in Rachel’s lap. No barking, no jumping — just a quiet plea for love.

The shelter staff told us Daisy had been passed over because she wasn’t flashy. She wasn’t a puppy, and she didn’t do “cute tricks.” But she was gentle, house-trained, and good with kids.

We knew right then: we had to get her out of there.

But there was a small problem. Our old sedan had recently broken down, and we were borrowing a tiny car from a friend — no back seat space, no working AC, and definitely no room for a medium-sized rescue dog, her adoption supplies, and two emotional adults.

That’s when Subaru came in.

A week earlier, I had signed us up for a local Subaru-sponsored community adoption event called “Drive Home Love.” Subaru offered free rides to and from the shelter for approved adopters who needed transportation — part of their campaign to reduce barriers for pet adoption. They weren’t just putting dogs in commercials. They were literally helping put dogs in homes.

So, we made the call.

Two days later, a shiny Subaru Outback pulled up in front of the shelter. The driver, Sarah, greeted us with a warm smile and said, “Let’s bring Daisy home.” The back of the car had been fitted with a cozy pet seat cover, water bowl, and even a bag of treats labeled “Welcome Home.”

Daisy looked nervous as we approached the car, but as soon as she jumped into the back seat, something changed. She perked up, ears alert, eyes brighter. It was as if she realized: This isn’t another trip to a vet or foster home. This is it.

The ride was smooth and quiet, filled with soft music and the occasional glance from Daisy through the rearview mirror. Rachel cried halfway home. I didn’t blame her.

When we pulled into our driveway, Sarah handed us a folder with Daisy’s adoption papers, a coupon for pet supplies, and a little tag that read: “Subaru Loves Pets.”

We clipped it onto Daisy’s collar.

That night, Daisy curled up at the foot of our bed. She let out one long sigh — the kind that says, I’m safe now — and fell asleep.

Since then, she’s discovered the joys of peanut butter, belly rubs, and couch naps. She follows us everywhere. She’s not flashy, and she still doesn’t know any tricks. But she’s home. And that’s everything.

So thank you, Subaru, for more than just the ride. You didn’t just help us bring Daisy home — you helped give her a second chance at life.

And we’ll never forget it.