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Juliet’s story begins on the island of Aruba, where she lived as a cunucu dog, a term used for the free-roaming street dogs who survive on instinct, resilience, and the occasional kindness of strangers. Life for a cunucu dog is uncertain. Each day is about survival, not comfort. Love is never guaranteed.

And then, everything changed.

A Chance Meeting on Vacation

Juliet entered my friend’s life the way so many meaningful things do…unexpectedly!

My friend, her husband, and another couple were vacationing in Aruba, soaking up the sun and exploring the island. While they were out and about, they kept running into the same dog. Again and again. Almost as if she was finding them.

Juliet was gentle, sweet, and quietly persistent. The kind of dog who doesn’t demand attention, but somehow steals your heart anyway. Each encounter made it harder to walk away. By the end of the trip, my friend knew this wasn’t just a coincidence.

Juliet wasn’t meant to stay behind.

The Leap of Faith: Adoption Across Borders

Deciding to adopt a dog internationally is not for the faint of heart, as my friend learned very quickly!

The process was long and complicated. Filled with paperwork, waiting, uncertainty, and moments where nothing felt guaranteed. There were questions with no immediate answers and timelines that shifted again and again. But through it all, one thing remained constant: Juliet was already family.

Eventually, the day came.

After a long road trip to Washington, D.C. to meet Juliet’s flight, my friend and her husband finally stood at the airport…hearts pounding…waiting for the dog who had started as a chance encounter on vacation.

And then… Juliet landed.

Home at Last

From the streets of Aruba to the arms of her people, Juliet’s journey was complete.

Today, she lives a life that feels like something straight out of a storybook. She is adored. Spoiled (as she should be). Surrounded by warmth, safety, and love. She is gentle, affectionate, and quite possibly the sweetest dog you’ll ever meet.

Watching her now, it’s hard to imagine she ever lived without comfort, but that’s what makes her story all the more meaningful.

A Fall Session to Celebrate a Fairytale

When I photographed Juliet and her mom this fall at The Farm at Ravenbrook, in Halifax, Massachusetts, it felt like the perfect setting to honor how far she’s come.

Golden leaves. Crisp air. Quiet moments of connection.

The images from this session aren’t just pretty fall photos, they’re a celebration of resilience, love, and the extraordinary bond that forms when a dog finally finds where she belongs.

Juliet’s journey from cunucu to cuddles is proof of what can happen when your heart says “yes,” even when the road is long and uncertain.

She didn’t just find a home.
She found her happily ever after.