After a season of uncertainty where their whole world was turned upside down, Nikita and Vlekkie have finally traded their long wait for the warmth of a new home and the familiar joy of a cooling splash in the pool.
Johannesburg, South Africa (18 March 2026) – Jack Russell boy, Vlekkie and a Staffie girl, Nikita, had always been treasured and loved all their lives by a committed human dad. Safety, gentle hands, a warm bed, and splashing around in the pool were the goodness that filled their days.
However, when their elderly human dad, diagnosed with liver and heart failure, had to move into an ‘assisted-living facility’ at the end of September last year, their world was turned upside down.
“On the day that this family was torn apart, he cried like a baby. You can imagine what it felt like to collect these furry friends and drive them away to our shelter site,” shared the Paws R Us team.
Upon arrival at the shelter, the team did their best to handle the bonded pair with gentle care and sent out a desperate appeal for a family willing to take them both in.
Nikita, described as a barrel of love and slobbery kisses, has enthusiasm and joy that just pour out of her, while Vlekkie is clever, curious, lovable, and always eager to cuddle and go off on adventures.
Both dogs enjoy being around children and are true water babies who just love swimming. Paws R Us was hopeful they would find them a home with a pool – and did they get that and more!
Following months of circulating posts on social media, a miracle finally arrived.
The organisation was thrilled to share this week that the doggos have found a place to call home again with Craig, Sune and their kids, who absolutely dote on the dogs.
“They are able to offer a beautiful life to Nikita and Vlekkie. Soon, the family will be moving down to Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape – and our furry duo, who had their lives turned upside down some months ago when their elderly dad went into a medical rehabilitation facility, will suddenly have their lives back again!”
Related Story
The organisation also shared a heartwarming video capturing Nikita and Vlekkie splashing about and cooling down in the pool with their new human companions.
It is incredible how adoption transforms lives, transforms fates, and restores love, safety and dignity. The pure magic of wide smiles and wagging tails says it all.
Magic, you played a part in South Africa.
“You shared, and you pushed, and you believed, and your efforts have borne fruit.”
We wish Nikita, Vlekkie and their new family the very best adventure-filled days ahead!
Sources: Paws R Us: SA
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 