New York City Dog Longed For More Than Sidewalks And Dog Parks As Her Family Faced A Big Decision
Rebecca spent over a decade in the city, but her deep love for her two rescue dogs inspired a life-changing move to a 265-year-old historic home.
A Tiny Start For A Tiny Pup
Rebecca’s journey into rescue began back in 2019 with a single photograph.
The founder of Safe and Sound Rescue sent her a picture of a tiny puppy named Sunny and her sister.
Rebecca and her best friend went to Newark, New York, to pick up the dogs after they were flown in, forever changing both of their lives.
At the time, Sunny weighed only about five pounds.
The small puppy moved right into Rebecca’s 350-square-foot apartment in New York’s West Village, beginning their life together in the bustling city.
Expanding The Pack
As the years went by, Rebecca and Sunny moved to a slightly larger space in Williamsburg.
Eventually, Rebecca’s boyfriend, Andy, began talking about wanting to get a dog of his own.
Rebecca reached out to Safe and Sound rescue once again to help find the perfect match.
That was when Jerry, a playful and energetic rescue dog, entered the picture.
Jerry lived with Andy for a while until the couple finally moved in together, creating a beautiful, blended canine family.
The Call Of The Wild
Living in Brooklyn with two active dogs presented its own set of challenges.
Rebecca knew that Sunny and Jerry craved more than just city sidewalks and dog parks.
To give them the enrichment they needed, the couple constantly drove them out to the mountains.
They spent their weekends going on long hikes, trying to get the dogs outside the city as much as possible.
Seeing how much the dogs thrived in nature planted a seed in Rebecca’s mind about their future.
A Historic Leap Of Faith
After 12 years of city living, Rebecca faced a difficult decision.
She was nervous about leaving her neighborhood, her friends, and the life she had built.
However, her desire to give her dogs more space ultimately outweighed her fears.
The couple found a stunning, 265-year-old historic home in Westchester, built in 1760.
It was older than the country itself, full of vintage charm and, most importantly, endless space for the dogs.
Designing A Pet-First Sanctuary
Even with a house full of beautiful antiques, Rebecca refused to compromise on her dogs’ comfort.
She wanted a home where she could relax and not be overly precious about the furniture.
Jerry immediately claimed the comfortable “cloud couch” in the living room as his own.
He can often be found with his entire body stretched across the cushions, waiting for his family to come home.
While Jerry is known for destroying his toys and leaving a daily trail of fluff, he is always respectful of the actual furniture.
Windows To The World
Every detail in the new house was designed with Sunny and Jerry in mind.
In the vibrant red kitchen, Rebecca placed their food bowls directly in front of a large window.
She knew that Sunny had always loved looking outside, and she wanted her dogs to watch the birds and nature while they ate.
In another part of the house, an original exterior stone wall features a massive picture window.
This spot quickly became Sunny’s main hangout, giving her a full, unobstructed view of her new kingdom.
The Secret Garden
The true crown jewel of the property is the expansive, tiered backyard.
Reminiscent of a secret garden, the yard features multiple levels, little pockets of nature, and plenty of bird feeders.
Sunny, who has a high prey drive for birds, loves to patrol the second tier with her toys.
The lowest level of the yard provides a long, wide-open stretch that is absolutely perfect for playing fetch.
The dogs spend their days exploring the woodland areas, often coming back inside happily covered in burrs.
The Ultimate Payoff
For Rebecca, the stress of moving and renovating the historic home vanished almost instantly.
The very first time she let Sunny and Jerry out into the backyard, she watched them run freely with pure joy.
Seeing how happy and fulfilled they were in their new environment was a deeply satisfying moment.
It felt like she was finally giving them the daily gift of nature they had always deserved.
In that liberating moment, watching her rescue dogs explore their own private forest, she knew leaving the city was the best decision she ever made.
