What makes a dog appear “mean” is still beyond comprehension. Yet, every time people looked at Sully, a 5-month-old Pit Bull, they saw a “mean, aggressive bully” and steered clear of him.
But all they really needed was five minutes with him—just five minutes to see the truth!
Despite his friendly nature, Sully spent day after day in a cramped shelter cage, going to sleep each night, hoping someone would see how lovable he truly was. And then, one day, that special person arrived, changing his life forever.
Struggling at the Shelter for Months
Julia Correll, of the Desert Dog Project—a rescue organization that supports shelter dogs needing medical care and foster homes—first saw Sully while volunteering at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control in Arizona. His sad, tired expression broke her heart, and she instantly fell in love.
Sully, formerly known as Gindo, had severe arthritis that made walking painful. He had been picked up as a stray with his puppies and a female dog. While all of them were adopted into loving homes, Sully was left behind, alone. Due to his tough living conditions, he looked much older than his actual age.
Julia couldn’t understand why people found Sully so intimidating. To her, he was the sweetest, most affectionate dog she had ever met.
“He is the most gentle, loving dog,” Julia said. “His favorite thing is sitting in your lap and rolling over for belly rubs. He doesn’t get rattled by anything or anyone. He’s truly such a lover.”
Determined to give Sully the life he deserved, Julia began taking him on daily outings to parks where they would spend hours lounging on a blanket, soaking up the sunshine. In no time, they formed a deep bond—Sully had found his rescuer in Julia.
The Easiest Dog She Ever Had
What started as a foster arrangement soon turned into something permanent. Within months, Sully proved he was meant to stay forever.
“He is seriously the easiest foster dog I have ever had,” Julia shared on Instagram.
Though it took Sully six months to fully adjust to life in a home, his gentle personality quickly won over Julia’s heart. To help with his mobility issues, Sully got his very own stroller, allowing him to join Julia on walks and adventures without straining his body.
Together, they explored new places, met new friends, and experienced all the joys Sully had longed for during his time in the shelter. His love for people was evident all along—he just needed someone to see it. Julia saw it immediately.
To further support his health, Julia arranged for Sully to receive joint injections, acupuncture, physical therapy, and even custom braces to protect his worn-down elbows. She made sure Sully could live as comfortably and happily as any dog.
And just when Sully thought life couldn’t get any better, Julia surprised him with the perfect gift: a dog sibling!
When she adopted another dog named Effie, Sully was overjoyed. He quickly took on the role of Effie’s protective older brother, treating her with care and affection.
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After years of hardship, Sully finally found the family he deserved. This time, he wouldn’t be separated from them. Instead, he’ll continue living his best life, filled with exciting adventures and unconditional love in his Arizona home.
