The rescue dog who once stole a purple unicorn, and the world’s heart, returns to Dollar General before heading to his forever home.
The Dog Who Wouldn’t Give Up
In a small North Carolina town, a one-year-old Labrador mix named Sisu captured hearts around the world for one simple act of devotion: his love for a stuffed unicorn.
Sisu, then a stray, kept sneaking into a Dollar General store in Kenansville, making a beeline for the same purple plush toy every time the automatic doors opened. “He actually had to go through the whole store to get to that unicorn,” said Joe Newburn, a supervisor at Duplin County Animal Services. “He went to the Easter section and kept pulling it out until the store finally called us.”
When animal control officer Samantha Lane arrived, she didn’t just remove the determined dog, she bought him the $10 unicorn and brought both to the shelter. That small act of kindness turned into a viral story of loyalty and love that resonated with millions online.
One More Visit Before a New Beginning
Before moving on to his next chapter, Sisu and his favorite toy made one important stop, back to the Dollar General where his story began.
“We took him back to the Dollar General so he could see the employees there,” Newburn explained. “They were the ones who called animal control after realizing he kept sneaking in every time the doors opened.”
The employees were thrilled to see him again, this time as a well-cared-for rescue rather than a stray. Since the day Lane bought the unicorn, Sisu hasn’t let it out of his sight. “It goes wherever he goes,” Newburn said. “If it gets dirty, he won’t touch it until it’s washed. Once it’s clean, he’ll lay on it again.”
The loyal pup, named after the dragon in Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, quickly became a symbol of resilience and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.
Training for His Forever Home
After his short stay at the Duplin County shelter, Sisu was transferred to Lab Rescue LRCP, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Labradors and Lab mixes find loving homes. There, he’s receiving specialized training to help him adjust to living with other dogs and prepare for adoption.
Trainer Sterrie Weaver says Sisu’s behavior is common for former strays. “A lot of strays have to fend for themselves and worry that other dogs will take their food or toys,” she explained. “They usually calm down once they realize they are in a safe place.”
For now, Sisu is learning to trust, play, and share, always with his purple unicorn by his side.
More Than a Viral Story
Sisu’s story isn’t just a feel-good headline, it’s a reminder of the power of empathy. One $10 toy and a few kind people changed the course of a stray dog’s life.
Rescue workers say his tale also shines a light on the importance of adoption and animal welfare. Every year, millions of dogs like Sisu wait for homes in shelters across the U.S., many with stories that never make the news.
Still, Sisu’s happy ending offers hope. With the right care, patience, and a little magic, or maybe just a purple unicorn, even the roughest beginnings can lead to new beginnings.
Featured Image from Facebook: Duplin County Animal Services