As they walked into Niagara SPCA and Humane Society’s adoption event earlier this month, Natalie and her 6-year-old daughter, Sage, couldn’t help but squeal with excitement. They were surrounded by adorable dogs, and if all went well, one could possibly become their first family pet.

Natalie and Sage checked out all the available pups, but one in particular caught their attention: Piper, a brown Labrador mix with one eye. Sage was instantly smitten, and it seemed like Piper was just as excited to make a new friend.

“Piper ran right up to her, tail wagging and so excited for attention,” Natalie told The Dodo. “Sage couldn’t stop smiling and didn’t want to leave her side. There was an instant connection between the two of them.”

Sage and Piper spent the rest of the afternoon playing together, forging a new friendship. When it was time to go, the family still wasn’t ready to make a decision — they wanted to talk things over with Sage’s dad, who was away — but Sage already had her heart set on Piper.

“She kept talking about Piper the entire way home and made it very clear she wanted to bring her into our family,” Natalie said.

And while they still needed Sage’s dad’s approval, Natalie had fallen in love with the sweet pup, too.

“Everything about Piper made us want to adopt her: her loving and playful personality, her sweet energy, and her one eye made us love her more,” Natalie said. “We wanted to give her a forever home where she would always feel safe, loved and cared for.”

The family made an appointment to meet Piper again at the shelter once Sage’s dad was back in town. And even though it was pouring rain as they drove up to see her, Sage couldn’t contain her excitement over reuniting with her new best friend.

“The moment Sage got out of the car, she completely forgot it was raining,” Natalie said. “She burst into the biggest smile, and Piper immediately ran over to the gate, excited to see her again.”

Piper was just as thrilled as Sage, barreling over to the kennel door and springing up to greet her. As soon as the kennel door opened, Piper burst into the field and began playing with Sage as if no time had passed at all.

“Seeing our 6-year-old daughter running around in the rain with this beautiful rescue dog just felt so special and confirming in every way,” Natalie said. “It truly felt like we were all meant to find each other.”

You can watch that emotional moment here:

 

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As expected, Sage’s dad fell head-over-heels for Piper just as she and Natalie had. They completed the adoption paperwork, then loaded Piper into their car and headed home.

It’s been almost a week since Piper’s adoption. The sweet girl is still in the process of meeting her three new fur siblings — two cats and one bunny — but she’s completely settled into her life as a house dog otherwise.

“She sleeps through the entire night, usually snoring away either in our bed or in her own dog bed,” Natalie said. “She loves playing, going for walks, visiting new friends at the dog park and carrying around her stuffed toys.”

There’s no doubt that Piper adores her new life, made even better by having a loving 6-year-old best friend by her side. And their doting parents wouldn’t have it any other way.

“She really is the perfect dog for our family,” Natalie said.