Image Source – Camp Kate Instagram
In early 2020, as the world shut down due to COVID-19, Kate decided to open her home to dogs in need. Partnering with the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS), she began fostering “diamond dogs”—those with unique behavioural challenges. Her first two fosters found homes quickly, and then came Nacho, a striking white-and-black-spotted pup with piercing blue eyes.
Image Source – Camp Kate Instagram
From the start, Nacho was a handful. Strong-willed and mischievous, he surfed counters, left bruises, and pushed Kate’s patience to its limits. Yet, amidst the chaos and countless training calls with the NHS behavior team, Nacho captured her heart. But Kate knew her limits—she was about to bring home Cash, another large-breed dog she had planned to adopt. As much as she loved Nacho, she couldn’t commit to two big dogs at once.
After three months, Nacho was adopted by another family, and Kate let him go with bittersweet emotions. Though she moved on, Nacho was never far from her thoughts.
Loss and an Unexpected Reunion
Image Source – Camp Kate Instagram
Years passed, and Kate’s life changed. She moved to Ohio and built a home with Cash. But in June of this year, tragedy struck—Cash unexpectedly passed away due to a ruptured tumor. Heartbroken, Kate knew she wasn’t ready to adopt again. Yet life, it seemed, had other plans.
One day, a friend texted her about a familiar face on the NHS website. Nacho, now called Raiden, had been found as a stray and was back at the shelter. Kate didn’t need to think twice. In an instant, she decided to drive back to Nebraska to bring Nacho home.
Coming Home, At Last
Image Source – Camp Kate Instagram
When Nacho saw Kate again, it was as if no time had passed. She renamed him back to Nacho, and he settled into her home as if it had always been his. The connection between them felt natural and undeniable.
“The first night he got home, he just seemed to say, ‘I’m home. I’m here. This is where I’m meant to be,’” Kate shared.
Nacho quickly resumed his old habits, like cuddling up to Kate on the couch and insisting on sleeping in her bed. He was more than just a dog—he was her companion, her healer, and her soul dog. “We are both healing each other,” she said.
A Second Chance at Forever
Nacho’s journey from a spirited foster to a stray and back to Kate’s arms is a story of resilience, love, and second chances. Together, they’ve found joy and healing, proving that some bonds are simply meant to last a lifetime.
Now, Nacho is living like a king, and Kate couldn’t be happier to share this chapter of her life with him. “The rest,” she says with a smile, “is history.”
This heartwarming reunion reminds us all that sometimes, what’s meant for us will find its way back—stronger, sweeter, and more meaningful than ever.