When Joy was ready to open her heart again after losing her beloved Jack Russell Terrier mix, Lucy, one special face immediately stole it.

"That's Opal!" Joy says. "I fell in love with her sweet little teddy bear face."

Opal had been rescued by a local animal rescue after being transferred from the kill shelter in Tahoka. Her previous owner had sadly passed away from COVID, leaving the gentle pup in need of a new beginning.

As Joy prepared to adopt Opal, the rescue shared one more detail—Opal’s “brother,” Ames, was being fostered by another family. Joy couldn’t bear the thought of separating them, so she welcomed them both into her home.

Then came an unexpected surprise. A dog DNA test revealed that Ames wasn’t Opal’s brother at all—he was actually her son!

"That explained everything," Joy laughs. "Opal was constantly grooming him!"

For nearly three years, Opal also shared her home with another beloved dog, Ruby. But about two years ago, the dynamic shifted and Opal and Ruby began to struggle with each other. Ruby, the alpha, had grown tired of Opal being especially “needy” with Joy, and despite every effort, the tension between the once-close sisters couldn’t be resolved. Joy’s dog-mom heart was shattered at not being able to make it work.

Thankfully, Opal’s Nawnee and Poppy stepped in with an incredible act of love, inviting Opal to come live with them full time. Even though she moved homes, she never left the family—she’s still officially on the Tenpenny payroll, and Joy visits her multiple times a week.

“I’m so blessed that even through such a tragic situation, she’s still part of the family,” Joy shares. “Her Nawnee and Pops are retired, so she adores being with them around the clock.”

Today, Opal thrives in a home where she is cherished every minute of the day, while still staying deeply connected to the family who loves her most. It’s a reminder that family doesn’t always look the way we expect—but it always finds a way to stay whole.

If you'd like information about becoming a preferred partner with Stroll Oakmont Estates please reach out to Vicki Blair at vicki.blair@n2co.com.