“That moment is something I’ll never forget.”

Rescued from the Market: Ella’s Journey to a Loving Home

When Elika Mansouri, founder of I Care Kuwait, received a call about a dog lying motionless in the middle of the Friday Market in Kuwait, she knew she couldn’t ignore her.

“I already had so much going on, but I couldn’t ignore her,” Mansouri told The Dodo.

Finding Ella

When Mansouri arrived at the market, she saw the dog, later named Ella, lying in the exact same spot. She hadn’t moved, and Mansouri feared the worst.

“When I got closer, I realized she was still breathing,” Mansouri said. “The relief I felt in that moment is something I’ll never forget. I asked the shopkeepers, in my broken Arabic, how she ended up there. They told me someone tried to sell her, and when nobody bought her, they simply dumped her on the ground.”

First Steps to Safety

Seeing Mansouri approach, Ella summoned the little strength she had left and slowly stood up. Mansouri slipped a leash around her neck and gently led her to the car, starting her new life.

The next morning, Mansouri took Ella to the veterinary hospital, where tests revealed she had Parvovirus. Fortunately, Ella was a fighter and overcame the illness with care and patience.

A Journey Across Borders

Even after leaving the streets, Ella struggled in the kennel and often tried to escape. Mansouri knew finding her a forever home in Kuwait would be challenging. The best chance for Ella was to travel to Canada with one of I Care Kuwait’s rescue partners.

In Canada, Ella experienced some anxiety adjusting to her new environment, but the rescue team helped her feel safe. A month later, while playing in the yard, a woman passing by on her morning run caught Ella’s attention.

“Their eyes met, and that was it — she fell in love instantly,” Mansouri said.

Thriving in a Loving Home

Several years later, Ella is thriving in her forever home. From being unwanted and discarded like trash, she now enjoys a life full of love and care.

“Ella ended up being one of the luckiest girls,” Mansouri said. “Her new family welcomed her with open arms, and today she’s living a beautiful, happy, safe life in Montreal, Canada — spoiled, adored, and finally getting everything she always deserved.”