Once in the expert hands of our medical team, Pearl was diagnosed with a long list of ailments, including problems with her stomach, joints, skin, eyes, liver, and teeth. Thankfully, her issues were treatable at PAWS Chicago. And even though Pearl didn’t know it yet, she already had a friend in her corner—Kelly Crook.

“I saw her in an Instagram post on August 18th when she was being brought into PAWS for care. I sent the post to my husband Ernie because I felt a pull to her. Our dog Zelda, also a PAWS alum, passed away in October 2024, and I'd been feeling a big hole where she had been,” said Kelly.

Pearl needed two surgeries, including one to remove a large mass of debris from her stomach. She also needed medicine to ease her pain and a special diet to support her liver. It took about a month, but with love and care, Pearl was finally feeling good and ready for adoption.

Kelly Crook was ready, too: “My husband then saw the TikTok of Pearl on September 17, saying that she was officially adoptable. He showed it to me, and I realized it was the same dog. We rushed into PAWS the next day after work to meet her. I even skipped a meeting to try to get there early, hoping she would still be there. And, she was!”

Kelly and Ernie scooped up Pearl, but it wasn’t until they had already decided to adopt her that they realized she was meant for them.

“We were reading through her lengthy medical file at the adoption desk at PAWS. She'd had so many health issues and procedures in the short time that she'd been at PAWS, as well as some ongoing conditions. Our previous dog Zelda was a very medically complex dog. So, when we were looking at Pearl's file, we knew we were extremely well-equipped and experienced to handle anything else that might come her way,” says Kelly. 

Now living her best life, Pearl is over-the-moon to have a mom, and she lets Kelly know every day. 

“She immediately bonded with me,” says Kelly. “Her favorite activities are sitting next to Mom, being on top of Mom, following Mom from room to room, and asking Mom where she's going when she stands up. If she's not right next to me or on top of me, she’s telling me to pick her up. She grumbles with these quiet half barks like she's trying really hard not to raise her voice. We say she's giving me ‘a talking to.’” 

Pearl is also doing a great job of learning and growing. “She seems to have a slight fear of men, but she's starting to really warm up to my husband. She's learning to walk well on a leash and has had no issues with the noise from the busy street we live on. She handled her first grooming and vet appointment like a champ,” says Kelly.

Today, Kelly can hardly remember what life was like without Pearl.

“She has settled in so well that it's like she's always been here!” says Kelly. “She is so incredibly loving. She trusted me from the moment we met and has rewarded me with so many snuggles and kisses. And she snores when she's deep asleep and belly up! It's so cute and makes me feel like she knows she's safe and in her forever home.” 

Kelly and her husband are incredibly grateful to PAWS for bringing Pearl into their lives. “Just a huge thank you to everyone at PAWS for getting this girl back to full health. She's the sweetest and funniest little creature. She really deserved another chance at life, and PAWS gave that to her,” said Kelly.