Furever friends! 'Grateful' pit bull named Russ snuggles new mom who saved him from a shelter

  • Kayla Filoon, who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, fell in love with Russ
  • She was walking dogs at her local shelter and was struck by his calm demeanor
  • Russ had a bloody tail, kennel cough, eye infection and patchy fur
  • But it was love at first sight, and he hasn't left Filoon's side since his adoption
  • Photo of Russ cuddling with Filoon was shared more than 50k times on Facebook

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 13:38 EST, 9 February 2017 | Updated: 14:18 EST, 9 February 2017

I guess he prefers being the big spoon!

A heartwarming photograph has gone viral after a newly adopted pit bull named Russ cuddled with Kayla Filoon as she did her homework on the couch.

Filoon, who attends Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, fell in love with the dog even though he was underweight and had a bloody tail, a kennel cough, an eye infection and patchy fur.

Kayla Filoon shared the adorable photo of her dog, Russ, cuddling her. She told the Dodo: 'He didn't want to lie anywhere else.'

Kayla Filoon shared the adorable photo of her dog, Russ, cuddling her. She told the Dodo: 'He didn't want to lie anywhere else.'

Filoon, who fell head over heels with the dog, Russ, described it like a fated love story and swiftly adopted him the day after she first saw him sitting calmly in his kennel

Filoon, who fell head over heels with the dog, Russ, described it like a fated love story and swiftly adopted him the day after she first saw him sitting calmly in his kennel

Russ was underweight and had a bloody tail, a kennel cough, an eye infection and patchy fur
But the stray pit bull was affectionate and Kiloon said it was love at first sight

Russ was underweight and had a bloody tail, a kennel cough, an eye infection and patchy fur. But the stray pit bull was affectionate and Kiloon said it was love at first sight

Filoon was walking dogs at a local animal shelter when she met Russ, a stray who was sitting quietly in his kennel.

When she returned, it seemed like he had barely moved, and Filoon was struck by his calm nature while other dogs at the shelter were riled up.   

Once she brought him out to play, however, Rsss 'would not stop cuddling with me', Filoon told Today.

The next day, she returned to the shelter to spend more time with the pit bull, and he sat in the car as she drove to Chil-fil-A to buy him some treats.

Filoon, who fell head over heels with the dog, described it like a fated love story.

As the song Sky Full of Stars played on the car radio, she was touched by the lyrics 'I'm gonna give you my heart' and said: 'I actually cried. I knew it was meant to be.'

Filoon acted swiftly and brought Russ home, fearing he might be euthanized given the overcrowding at the shelter and his poor health. 

Filoon feared Russ might be euthanized given the overcrowding at the shelter and his poor health

Filoon feared Russ might be euthanized given the overcrowding at the shelter and his poor health

Russ's love for his owner has since won over thousands of fans online 

Russ's love for his owner has since won over thousands of fans online 

Filoon giving Russ a medicated bath to help with his itchy skin and patchy fur

Filoon giving Russ a medicated bath to help with his itchy skin and patchy fur

His affectionate nature has won over thousands of fans online.

One photo, taken by her friend, has already been shared more than 50,000 times on Facebook, and fellow dog-lovers commented on the remarkably cute picture.

Filoon told the Dodo: 'There was a whole other sofa open, and we had his bed on the floor, but he didn't want to lie anywhere else.

'So he ends up positioning himself, and I look down, and I think, "Oh my gosh, look at him."'

Russ may have only been with Filoon for two weeks now, but she said: 'The bond that we have is incredible. He does not leave my side.'

Russ has since gotten over his cough and Filoon makes sure to give him medicated baths to help with his itchy skin.  

 

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