All Heart: Ella’s Journey Home
Jul 24, 2025
When Ella arrived at PAWS Chicago after being surrendered to Chicago Animal Care and Control, she was just a puppy with a sweet face and a quiet strength. What wasn’t immediately visible, however, was a serious heart condition that would complicate her path to adoption.
After a physical exam revealed a high-grade heart murmur, Ella was referred for an echocardiogram at the PAWS Medical Center and later evaluated at the University of Illinois Veterinary School. There, she was diagnosed with several congenital heart defects, including a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) — a hole between the heart's lower chambers — along with mild tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary valve dysplasia, and a dilated coronary sinus.
The severity of Ella’s condition, including the location of her VSD near a critical heart valve, ruled out surgical intervention. Although she currently shows no clinical signs of heart disease, her future remains uncertain. Still, what she needed most wasn’t a prognosis, it was a chance.
That chance came in the form of a foster home.
“I wasn’t ready to adopt after losing my dog of 14 years,” said Courtney Lullman. “But I knew Chloe would have wanted me to share that love with another dog who needed it. When I saw Ella’s photo on the PAWS website, something just clicked. Her eyes were so gentle, so soulful. I wanted to give her a place to feel safe and loved.”
What began as a temporary foster placement quickly turned into something permanent, as Ella’s gentle spirit and playful charm made it clear she was already home. Courtney made it official and added Ella to her family.
“She pranced in like she already knew she belonged,” Courtney remembers. “She didn’t need to do anything big to make an impression. Just being herself was more than enough.”
As a medical student, Courtney understood the complexity of Ella’s diagnosis, but it never felt like a deterrent. “I couldn’t fix her heart, but I could make sure she was loved. Her condition didn’t make her any less deserving of a home.”
Today, Ella is thriving. She enjoys sunbathing in the grass, playing with (and sometimes destroying) her toys, and always staying close to Courtney.
“She’s this perfect mix of gentle and goofy. One minute she’s curled up next to me, and the next she’s launching into zoomies. She keeps me entertained and grounded.”
Ella’s story is one of resilience and love. It's a reminder that animals with medical needs are not defined by their diagnoses.
“To anyone considering adopting a pet with a condition like Ella’s, I’d say: don’t overlook them,” Courtney said. “Yes, there are extra considerations, but the love they give? It’s extraordinary. Ella has a heart condition, but she lives every day with joy. I’m lucky to call her mine.”