When animal rescuer Elika Mansouri, founder of I Care Kuwait, received a message about a dog lying motionless in the middle of Kuwait’s Friday Market, she knew she couldn’t turn away — even though her schedule was already overflowing.
“I had so much going on, but I just couldn’t ignore her,” Mansouri told The Dodo.
When she arrived, the dog — later named Ella — was still in the exact same position where people had first spotted her. For a frightening moment, Mansouri feared she might be too late. But as she knelt beside her, Ella’s chest rose ever so slightly. She was still alive.
Shopkeepers nearby explained that someone had tried to sell Ella. When no one showed interest, they simply abandoned her on the ground.
The moment Ella realized help had arrived, she gathered what tiny bit of strength she had left and slowly pushed herself to her feet. Mansouri gently looped a leash around her and guided her to safety — and into a new beginning.
The following day, Ella was taken to a veterinary hospital. Tests revealed she had parvovirus, a dangerous illness. But Ella proved she was a fighter, hanging on through treatment until she finally recovered.
Even after her health improved, Ella’s path forward wasn’t easy. Life in a kennel caused her stress, and she attempted to escape more than once. Because finding adoptive families in Kuwait can be extremely difficult, Mansouri made a big decision: Ella would travel to Canada to connect with one of the rescue’s partners there.
Once she arrived, Ella needed time to adjust to the new sights, smells, and people around her. But after about a month, everything changed in a single moment: Ella was playing outside when a woman jogged past. They locked eyes — and something just clicked.
“She fell in love instantly,” Mansouri said.
That chance meeting led to Ella’s adoption, and today she lives in Montreal, surrounded by warmth and care. The dog who was once cast aside is now a cherished family member.
“Ella became one of the luckiest girls,” Mansouri said. “Her family welcomed her with so much love. She’s safe, happy, and finally living the life she always deserved.”