The saddest part of shelter life is that many dogs never get the chance to reveal who they truly are.
It’s not only about the love they can give but also about the incredible, often hidden talents that remain unseen.
One shelter pup in New York almost missed her chance completely when she landed on the euthanasia list. Thankfully, compassionate people intervened just in time, giving her a second chance at life. What no one knew then was that this little dog had a surprising gift waiting to be discovered.
A Surprise From A Second Chance
When Vanessa and Ryan Marquette learned about a dog facing euthanasia at a New York shelter, they knew they couldn’t turn away. They stepped up to foster her, and just a few months later, they made the adoption official through North Country Pet Adoptions.
“She was already house-trained and everything, but her sister got adopted, so she was by herself. We think that because she is blind in one eye, people overlooked her. So we fostered her and then ended up adopting her three months later,” Vanessa told PEOPLE.
They named her Nola, and she quickly settled into her new home, adjusting easily to family life. But soon, Nola began revealing an extraordinary ability that took everyone by surprise.
It started with her pet sitter reporting that Nola had been jumping over their tall fence. At first, Vanessa and Ryan dismissed it as a misunderstanding. Nola had never shown much interest in climbing or jumping indoors.
After they moved to a new home in Syracuse, New York, however, neighbors started saying the same thing. They had seen Nola scaling the fence with ease.
Curious and slightly skeptical, Vanessa decided to keep an eye on her.
One morning, she finally caught Nola in action, climbing the six-foot fence like a professional. After several failed attempts, she managed to snap a photo and showed it to Ryan, who was stunned.
From that moment, they began documenting Nola’s unusual hobby, sharing videos of her climbs on Instagram under the handle @noseynola.
From Rescue Pup To Internet Sensation
It didn’t take long for Nola to capture the hearts of everyone around her. Neighbors often stopped to watch her climb, and soon, her videos began spreading across social media.
As her popularity grew, Vanessa and Ryan became curious about what made Nola so unique. The answer came after a DNA test.
“The first time she went viral, everyone’s like, ‘Must be a Treeing Walker.’ I was like, ‘What are they talking about?’” Vanessa said. “Then I Googled it, and I was like, ‘Oh, maybe.’ So then we did her DNA test, and sure enough, she was like 26% Treeing Walker Coonhound.”
That revelation explained everything. Her breed mix gave her natural agility and athleticism that made her a star climber. While her dog siblings, including Toby, prefer to stay on the ground, they now happily cheer Nola on from below.
Today, Nola isn’t just a beloved member of her family; she’s a symbol of resilience and joy. Her story continues to inspire thousands online and reminds everyone of an important truth: every shelter dog deserves a chance.
With love, patience, and the right home, even a dog once overlooked can reveal something truly extraordinary.
