Boulder and Natalia: An East Bay Love Story
Natalia met Boulder and all bets were off. photo: EB SPCA
When Natalia first set eyes on Boulder, a two-year-old French Bulldog with an adorably kissable face, it was love at first sight.
Natalia, an animal care associate at East Bay SPCA, had been working her normal shift when Boulder was brought in by a woman who had found this sweet little dog wandering loose near her apartment building. The woman had made many attempts to find the owner, but no one had come forward to claim him.
East Bay SPCA took Boulder in and treated an ear infection our veterinary team discovered. Like any new arrival, he needed to spend a few days in our care before being made available for adoption to ensure that his owner, if any, had a chance to find him.
Meanwhile, Natalia spent time with Boulder whenever she could. She was immediately taken with his personality. Within minutes of their meeting, he was already leaning into her for pets, licking her hands, and pawing at her if she stopped scratching him.
After more than a week of waiting, it was clear that no one was coming forward to claim Boulder. In the meantime, Natalia had fallen more in love with him by the day. She knew this quirky, affectionate dog was meant to be part of her family.
Boulder now lives with Natalia and her 14-year-old senior dog Candy. He’s the perfect addition to their little family, and everyone at East Bay SPCA is delighted that he’ll live the rest of his days being loved and cherished as he deserves.
Boulder and Natalia’s love story is just one of so many happy endings we see each and every day. But things might have turned out very differently. In fact, a surprising number of purebred dogs like Boulder have found their way to the East Bay SPCA in recent months, along with the usual strays. Sadly, the rising cost of animal care has forced more pet owners to part with their beloved pets, whether they’re purebreds or Heinz 57s.
At East Bay SPCA, we use a twofold approach to caring for these animals. First, through our Humane Advocacy Program, we work to keep people and their pets together. Our team assists underserved pet owners in meeting their pet’s needs by providing low- and no-cost services and resources, including affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter vouchers, free pet food, and more. As animal care grows more expensive, we’re proud to be a vital lifeline for families facing hard decisions about their pet’s care and future.
Second, for the dogs who do end up with us, we provide medical care, spay/neuter surgeries, and behavior services to set each dog up for success with their new adoptive families. Seeing these dogs heading off to their forever homes - tails wagging, eyes shining - is the joy that makes all our work worthwhile.
So many amazing animals come through our doors every day, searching for a second chance at finding their own love story. If you’re looking to find your own perfect match, come visit us at our Oakland or Dublin adoption locations. Our staff and volunteers would love to help you find your own special valentine - just like Natalia and Boulder!