EAST MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Angel, a white pit bull puppy, is a rescue, in more ways than one. A couple in East Manchester Township adopted the pup, formerly named Willa. The York County SPCA took Angel and her father Bugz after their owner was caught beating Bugz on video, and it went viral. Dan and June Simmons are Angel's new owners. As much as she needed them, they needed her.
Loss
"You're just empty inside," said June. Ten years ago the couple rescued a puppy name Spirit; who was in bad shape. "[he was] lying in York with both of his ears severed, covered in blood, and a bite mark on his face," said Dan. Spirit grew up to be a lovable guy. But, in October he died unexpectedly from cancer. "June was crying every day since we lost Spirit," said Dan.
"I said no more. It's very hard," said June. But then the couple saw Bugz on the news, and that his daughter, a little puppy, needed a home.
"My wife said we should try to save Willa," said Dan. Dan reached out to the York County SPCA. "June was not aware of any of this." He arranged to meet her during the SPCA's luminary festival. "When we went to the luminary ceremony service, he said we're going to play with Willa," said June. They fell in love with her, even though June believed she had already been adopted. "I said, 'whoever that wonderful home is, is going to get a
wonderful puppy.' He said 'if you want that, that wonderful home is us,' and I started crying," said June. Three days before Christmas they adopted her, and renamed her Angel.
"We felt at the time of year, and just seeing her, being white, that it was like an angel sent from Spirit," said Dan. Angel even has similar qualities as Spirit. "How they stretch, and how they hold their toys, and the mannerisms," said Dan.
They believe Angel came to them for a reason.
"We really feel that she has been sent to us. Spirit ascending, and her descending," said June. "They just swapped souls."
As for Bugz, Executive Director Melissa Smith said he is doing well at York County SPCA and is still waiting to be adopted.
The former owner is facing cruelty to animal charges, and is awaiting his next court date.