Once homeless in Mahabalipuram, now loved in Finland: This street dog story will melt your heart
A European couple - Norah and Christian - proudly introduce their newest family members. Have a look!
From dusty lanes in a small coastal town to snow-covered streets in Finland - Nila and Malai’s journey feels like something straight out of a feel-good film.
Once just two nameless strays wandering around Mahabalipuram, the dogs today live a life filled with warmth, care and unconditional love in Helsinki. And the reason this beautiful transformation happened is a woman who simply refused to look away.
The story surfaced after Susheela, an animal rescuer based in Chennai, shared a video on Instagram that quickly touched thousands of hearts. In the clip, a European couple - Norah and Christian - proudly introduce their newest family members.
“These are our street dogs from India, Nila and Malai,” Christian says with a smile. “We love them. They’re the best babysitters for our grandchildren.”
It’s hard not to melt.
Nila and Malai had spent their early lives on the streets of Mahabalipuram, until Susheela rescued them and cared for them for nearly a year and a half. During that time, she healed them, trained them, and patiently searched for the right forever homes.
Eventually, that search led her all the way to Finland.
Sharing their story, Susheela wrote, “From the streets of Mahabalipuram to a new life in Finland - the happiest country in the world. If people across the world can respect Indian street dogs, why can’t we learn to love them here too?”
Norah and Christian couldn’t stop praising their pets. They spoke about how common Indian dogs are in their neighbourhood and gently urged people back home to treat strays with kindness.
“We’ve heard so many sad stories about street dogs in India,” they said. “Please don’t hurt them. Vaccinate them. Care for them. Just be kind.”
The internet, naturally, fell in love.
Comments flooded in - calling the couple angels, thanking them for adopting, and celebrating the idea that love doesn’t care about borders, breeds or backgrounds.
But behind this happy ending is Susheela’s quiet, powerful life’s work.
Originally from Finland, she moved to India six years ago for one simple reason: street dogs. Today, she looks after more than 50 strays in Mahabalipuram, runs her own rescue trust called Yazhini Love & Rescue, and personally cares for eight dogs at home, many of them specially-abled.
While most people walk past street animals without a second glance, she built an entire life around giving them dignity, safety and a second chance.
And Nila and Malai?
They’re living proof that sometimes, all it takes to change a life is one person who chooses compassion — and a family willing to open their hearts, even across continents.