29 lbs Husky rescued from a boarded-up closet 2 months after her owner passes teaches one pawrent how to love again after losing her soul dog: 'I truly believe that she is a gift sent from my soul dog'

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 12, 2026 8:15 AM EDT

Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.

Life isn't fair. If you don't know that by now, come back to us after you've gotten a little more life experience. Bad things happen to good people, good things happen to bad people, and you're almost always left feeling like you deserve more than you got. But at least we, as humans, have some sort of agency over our lives. Dogs don't. Dogs are treated like children with some, and like property for most. Their lives depend on us, and humans can't always care for dogs the way they should be. Just like Zira, the husky in our story from Reddit's r/husky community. 

Her previous owner fell on hard times. Even when they had no means to take care of her, they snuck Zira into a rehab facility without anyone noticing. Even after her owner passed, she remained in the rehab facility, hiding in a closet for 2 months. When the rescue found her, she was only 29 lbs. She went into a foster family, and waited for someone to choose her.

Well, along came a pawrent who lost their soul dog not too long ago. They were afraid to love again after such a tragic heartbreak. But after hearing Zira's story, they decided to meet, and there was an instant connection.

I understand how hard it is to enter into the process of getting another pupper after losing your soul dog. The grief is so immense that it feels like it will swallow you whole, but a lot of it is because you had someone to give all that love to, and now you don't. Getting another dog, after a while, will help. It always does. 

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    Meet Zira (FKA Stella) the bravest, most resilient girl in the world. First adopted when she was only a baby out of Maricopa county, she started out life with someone who really loved her. She came to me well trained, patient, and trusting. All clear indications that she was once
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    loved. Sadly, her previous owner fell on hard times, but never gave up on her. Even when this person's own health began to fail, they somehow snuck this dog into the rehab facility with them. Allegedly, nobody else knew of her presence. So when her owner tragically passed away, no one knew to check for a dog. She was
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    found 2 long months after the owner's passing, in a small boarded up space in the back of a closet. Weighing only 29.3 pounds, and that was after she was given much needed water and small bites of food.
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  • It's absolutely wild to me that no one noticed a dog hiding in a facility for two whole months. Our doggo would have gone out and started begging for food within 24 hours. Did no one go and check their room after they left? This might be one of the strangest things I've ever heard.

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    Alone No More Dog Rescue made sure she never spent another day locked up. One of their incredible volunteers took her in immediately and spent the following weeks rehabilitating her, until she was ready to find her new forever. I had been
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    hesitant on taking on a new dog ever since my heart dog, who was also a rescue, passed suddenly at a young age two years ago. But after reading her story, then speaking to her foster, I knew I had to meet this dog.
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  • Losing a dog at 2 years old must be beyond heartbreaking. Dogs are supposed to live 10+ years, so to lose one at such a young age… I can't even imagine. I'm glad that Zira came into their lives though, because it really seems like a perfect match.

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    Zira has been home with me for a few months now, and I truly believe that she is a gift sent from my soul dog in heaven. She's been compared to a golden retriever more times than I can count. She loves every person,
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    dog, or cat that she meets. She is so well trained and laid back that she is the perfect companion to any dog- friendly destination. Genuinely the perfect dog. A true testament to the strength, resilience, and emotional intelligence of this breed.
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    sixfootredheadgemini She's living her best life!
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    Fallingpeople Sometimes they are lucky to have us. Always, we are lucky to have them.
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    M-as-in-Mancyyy Wonderful story! We adopted a husky who needed some mending and time and care. Once they break through the initial pain they just begin to become so much more than you thought possible
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    lamTodd Debeikis Oh this is such a sad beginning with a beautiful ending. Thank you so much for loving this sweet girl.
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    Grand-Hospital-5745 Wow, I always get worried that my husky (mix) is too lean and that it's "hard to tell" because we wouldn't be able to see ribs with a husky coat. Clearly I was wrong. Congratulations Zira, I am so proud of you and your owner for your journey!
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