Samantha Kreisler visited a Miami animal shelter in 2014 and decided to adopt the skinniest, saddest-looking puppy even though the staff tried to talk her out of it.
“They urged me multiple times that she would be a lot of work due to malnourishment and a mystery skin condition on her back legs,” Kreisler said.
However, Kreisler insisted. “We had an immediate connection,” she said. “She was so sad and quiet in her cage all alone. The second we took her out for her ‘test walk,’ she started wagging and kissing and jumping.”
Kreisler hugging Lady right after she adopted her
Kreisler walked out of the shelter with the sickly puppy, whom she named Lady, later that day.
“I took her straight to the vet and they did some tests and found that she had ringworm that was causing her loss of hair and oozing skin,” Kreisler said.
Lady needed to gain a lot of weight, had diarrhea and her biggest issue, was anxiety.
“I saw from an early age that she had anxiety whenever I left her alone,” Kreisler said. “She would literally get physically sick whenever I left her.”
Kreisler was a student at the University of Miami, at the time and was often away at class. She did come up with a solution.
Lady lying on the floor of Kreisler’s university classroom
“With the approval of my really chill marine science teachers, I took her to every single class for the rest of my college career,” Kreisler said. “She was always so well-behaved and just loved being around people.”
Her new professors weren’t as accommodating when Kreisler started her master’s degree. Lady was no longer allowed to attend class. So Kreisler had another idea.
“I noticed that she had an affinity for my neighbor’s cat, Bruce,” Kreisler said. “He was an indoor-outdoor cat in Florida, and she would constantly go over and lick him. So I decided to get a kitten for Lady.”
Kreisler returned to the same city shelter where she’d adopted Lady, and this time, Kreisler was drawn to one of the loneliest animals there, a tiny, 1-pound kitten.
Kitty shortly after she was adopted
“I found this one little thing sitting all alone in a cage by herself,” Kreisler said. “I went in a room to hold her and she immediately fell asleep on my chest. I loved her immediately.”
Lady loved the kitten whom Kreisler starting calling Kitty.
Lady and Kitty on the first day they met
“Kitty was unsure at first,” she added. “I mean, Lady fell in love at first sight so she came on a bit strong, but once Kitty fell asleep on Lady’s warm tummy, she was in love.”
“Lady brought Kitty her favorite toys,” Kreisler said. “And once even brought her doggy bed over. My heart melted.”
Now Lady and Kitty are inseperable.
“Every morning they wake up and groom each other,” Kreisler said. “They eat together. In the summer they love, love, love to sit on the porch together. Lady likes to watch the cars and the people, while Kitty focuses on squirrels and birds. They’re an inseparable duo.”
They’re always playing with each other and it’s usually Kitty who instigates. “Kitty will surprise attack Lady all the time,” Kreisler said. “And Lady and Kitty love to play chase. Kitty will come out and surprise Lady and then she will sprint down the hall with Lady running after her.”
Lady doesn’t mind being chased because she adores her little feline sister. Kreisler said since Kitty has come into her life, Lady’s anxiety has disappeared and she no longer gets sick.
“They are sisters and best friends,” Kreisler said. “They are there for each other.”
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