When a family loses a beloved pet, it can leave an emptiness in the home. After 17 years with their Australian Cattle Dog, Milo, Kim Decoste and her family were feeling that loss deeply. As they slowly began to heal, Kim found herself browsing the Nova Scotia SPCA website, looking at animals waiting for a second chance. That’s when one familiar face stopped her in her tracks.
“One day, I went to look online again, and the first animal I saw was Trip,” says Kim. “Right away his resemblance to Milo caught my attention.”
After reading his profile, they decided to meet him at the Colchester SPCA.
When they arrived, Trip was already outside with a staff member, and Kim’s family shared a laugh at how much he reminded them of Milo. But as they spent time with him, it became clear that Trip was very much his own dog.
For a week, the family visited him every day, taking him for walks and getting to know him. It did not take long for them to fall in love.
“We knew immediately that we wanted to adopt Trip,” says Kim. “There was just something about him that gave us this strong feeling that he belonged with us.”
Adopting Trip, however, was not guaranteed. Another family was also being considered. They were told that if the first placement was not the right fit, they would be next in line.
“The days that followed, we were hoping and praying he would find his way to us,” says Kim. “We told ourselves that if it was meant to be, it would happen.”
A few days later, the call came. The first family was not the right match, and after the adoption process and reference checks were completed, Trip officially became part of their family. 
“We were beyond happy to finally take him home and introduce him to his new life.”
They also understood that adopting Trip would come with challenges. He is deaf and, as they later discovered, reactive to other dogs, people and certain objects. But rather than seeing obstacles, the family saw a dog who deserved patience, understanding and a second chance.
“As we learned more about his past, his trauma and what he had been through, we knew even more that we owed it to this dog to give him the best life he could have.”
Today, Trip is thriving thanks to the dedication and love of his family.
“He is a big goofball and loves to grab one of his many stuffies and run around the house with it when he is in a particularly good mood. He also shows us gratitude each day by giving us kisses and climbing up to be close to us,” says Kim. “In one word, he is happy.”
The family has worked hard to help Trip build confidence and navigate the world around him. Through patience, consistency and positive reinforcement, his reactions to people and unfamiliar situations have improved significantly. While they continue working on his response to other dogs, they are proud of how far he has come.
Trip also benefits from a predictable routine. Daily walks, plenty of time to sniff and explore, games of fetch in the backyard, trail adventures and car rides are among his favourite activities. When home alone, he is happy to curl up on the bed until his family returns.
Living with a deaf dog was not entirely new for Kim’s family. Milo lost his hearing later in life, so they were already familiar with adapting their communication style. With Trip, they use body language, hand signals and a vibration collar to help him understand cues and stay connected when off leash.
One milestone stands out among the many memories they have made together. After months of patiently teaching Trip to offer his paw, something finally clicked and now Trip loves to give his paw in exchange for a treat. “It was an exciting day in our house when he learned this new trick,” says Kim.
While there have been many special moments, the family says the greatest gift has been the joy Trip brings them every single day.
“We believe he was sent to us by Milo,” says Kim. “He is a very special dog.”
In the end, Trip found the family he was meant to be with, and they found exactly what they needed to help heal their hearts.
To learn more about adopting and finding the animal that’s meant for you, visit: Adoptions – Nova Scotia SPCA