All Winnie longed for was a true companion.
Unfortunately, her disability meant that the closest she got were temporary pals during her visits to daycare. Real, lasting friendships just seemed out of reach.
Despite her cheerful personality, there was a missing piece in her heart—until Marley arrived and everything changed for good!
Facing Challenges From The Start
Winnie’s life took a turn when Emily decided to rescue her. Winnie had endured a serious back injury as a puppy, leading to partial paralysis in her legs.
Emily discovered her at the vet’s office and initially agreed to look after her until she found a forever home. Little did she realize, Winnie had already found her true home with Emily! They quickly formed a close-knit bond, and soon enough, Winnie was a foster fail — staying with Emily for good.
For a while, Winnie managed to move about with a cute, wobbly gait, until one day, she just stopped getting up on her own.
“When I first started fostering Winnie she could get around with the cutest little wobbly walk. Then one day, she sat down and didn’t get up. That is where our journey to get her mobile again began,” Emily shared on Instagram.
Emily worked tirelessly to help Winnie regain mobility, ultimately getting her first wheelchair. The duo dedicated months to physical therapy, aquatic exercises, and adapting to life with wheels.
The one missing piece? **Winnie needed a doggie friend**! Despite her bubbly demeanor, connecting long-term with other dogs remained difficult because of her condition.
Then, everything changed one day!
When Emily brought Marley home to foster, there was an instant connection with Winnie. Emily immediately sensed that this bond wasn’t going to be short-lived.
Enter Marley, The Perfect Match
Marley and Winnie became inseparable right away, as if they had been waiting for each other all along. What’s more, Marley had no issue with Winnie’s wheelchair.
The two would play tug-of-war, race together, and were practically joined at the hip. **Marley filled Winnie’s days with laughter and warmth**, turning her wish for a buddy into reality.
Marley was like a big sister, lending Winnie support and even giving her a nudge when she needed it. A heart-melting video of Marley helping Winnie out of a sandy spot was shared by their mom, and it was beyond adorable.
“A friend is always there to pull you up when you’re feeling down! Or pull you out of a sand trap. Whichever is needed most,” Emily noted.
Though Marley was lined up to be adopted in New Jersey, becoming one with Winnie made separating them unthinkable. The adopter chose to withdraw her application.
“Marley’s adoptive mom sent me a message and said she could not separate them. While she was heartbroken about it, she just couldn’t live with herself if she broke off their bond! So Winnie got a new sibling and I truly think they are soul sisters,” Emily explained on Instagram.
Just like that, Emily ended up with not one but two foster fails, and they fit perfectly into her life.
Nowadays, the two pups are living their best life, adding fun and love to every corner of their home in Mississippi.
It’s hard to picture life any other way for **Marley and Winnie**, now the epitome of soul sisters and the best of friends.
