Mom said yes when her daughter texted, ‘Can I get a $5 Foot Long?’ — but the real surprise she brought home wasn’t from a sandwich shop

It wasn’t exactly asking for what she wanted, but it was clever enough to earn the green light from her mom.

PUBLISHED 3 DAYS AGO

(L) A girl texting on her phone. (R) Surprised mother with daughter in a caravan. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Catherine Delahaye, (R) Oliver Rossi)

Adopting a dog can sometimes require a bit of creativity, especially when convincing a reluctant family member. For one young woman called Kelsey Johnstone, it was a quick text message and a clever twist on words that set the stage for an unexpected surprise. What started as a playful attempt to get her mom's permission soon led to a heartwarming twist that no one could have anticipated.

Teen girl making call on phone. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Karola G) — Teen girl making call on phone. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Karola G)

As reported by iHeartDogs, the then 21-year-old from Texas had always wanted to adopt a second dog. Her family already had a beloved dog, Oliver, but Kelsey was determined to expand their furry family. The only problem was that her mom wasn’t entirely on board with the idea. Kelsey needed to find a way to convince her, but she didn’t have much time to waste.

Someone wearing blue clothes petting a shelter dog (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Manu Vega) — Someone wearing blue clothes petting a shelter dog. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Manu Vega)

In 2018, the Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center hosted a unique adoption event. It was called “$5 Foot Long Pets,” and it offered a $5 adoption fee for any pet that measured 12 inches or longer. Kelsey saw this as the perfect opportunity and cleverly texted her mom asking, “Can I get a $5 foot long?” While it wasn’t quite the same as directly asking for a dog, Kelsey knew it was close enough to get a "yes" from her mother. When she showed up with her new pup, Bentley, her mom’s reaction was priceless.

Relieved woman hugging pet dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Anastasiia Krivenok) — Relieved woman hugging pet dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Anastasiia Krivenok)

At first, Kelsey’s mom was shocked by the surprise, but it didn’t take long for Bentley to win her over. “She loves him!” Kelsey later shared on a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter). What began as a little white lie to get her mom’s permission turned into a heartwarming addition to the family. Bentley settled into his new home, and Kelsey used her viral story to encourage others to adopt. She also hopes her story will help spread awareness of the important work shelters like Dallas Animal Services do to help animals find loving homes. “If y’all are in Texas and looking to adopt or get a dog, definitely check out @DallasShelter! That’s where I got Bentley! Everyone there is super friendly, and the dogs are so loving,” Johnstone shared on Twitter, per KSAT.com.

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Stories like Bentley’s remind us that a single act of adoption can save a life, just as Taylor Ivy did for a stray named Grits. Grits was found by Ivy in a near-death state. The senior dog was weak, starving, and barely able to stand when Ivy found him. Deciding to adopt Grits, Ivy wanted to give him a peaceful final chapter. Over time, Grits made an incredible recovery, and Ivy shared pictures showing the dog’s transformation on Reddit. Ivy expressed his deep love for Grits, calling him his best friend. He emphasized how Grits had been abandoned and dehydrated when they met, and urged others to adopt dogs in need, saying there’s no better companion than a loyal dog. Many Reddit users also praised Ivy’s kindness for giving Grits a loving home.