A brown and white dog with blue eyes standing on a tiled surface outside, being gently held by a person, with a metal fence in the background.

Marla in the shelter, 2019

Marla

In 2019, Marla was just 11 months old when Burak Can first saw her at a shelter in Istanbul. The moment their eyes met, there was no turning back, he knew she was the one. Without a second thought, he adopted her, and from that day on, Marla’s life was forever changed.

Two years later, their little family grew when Zeynep joined them. Together, the three became inseparable, sharing countless adventures, quiet evenings, and the unspoken bond that only comes from unconditional love.

In 2024, life brought a new challenge: moving to the Netherlands. The thought of relocating with Marla was daunting, especially since she belongs to a breed often considered “restricted.” For weeks, they debated how to make it possible, even considering driving across countries. Then, they discovered that KLM could fly Marla safely, despite the regulations.

It wasn’t an easy decision. Marla had always been a sensitive, anxious soul, carrying the shadows of her past. But they believed in her strength. With faith in her resilience and trust in their bond, they placed her in cargo and made the leap.

A person wearing a gray hoodie and a pink jacket is holding a brown and white puppy outdoors.

Burak and Marla, first photo together, 2019

A woman with curly hair and a headscarf hugging a happy brown and white dog with a blue bandana, on a wooden floor.
Two dogs sitting on a sidewalk, one brown and white with an orange harness and one white with brown patches and a teal harness, being held by a person wearing black pants and sandals.

Marla & her cousin Faye, Istanbul

Matchy matchy!

Marla arrived in the Netherlands tired but safe, stepping into a new chapter of her life. Today, she is thriving and enjoying peaceful walks along the canals, finding comfort in her new home, and continuing to teach her humans what courage and love truly mean.

For Zeynep and Burak, bringing Marla with them wasn’t just a choice it was a promise. And every day, as she curls up beside them, they know it was the best decision they ever made.

A woman with curly hair and a woman with glasses and curly hair, smiling and lying on a bed with a brown and white dog with its tongue slightly out and eyes closed.

Marla & Zeynep, Amsterdam 2025

A woman in a yellow sweatshirt sitting on a gray couch next to a young child in a polka dot shirt and beige pants, both smiling at a large brown and white dog lying on the couch. Another person in a gray shirt is sitting on the far end of the couch.
A man and woman wearing red shirts are standing outside in front of a gray brick wall, holding a brown and white dog dressed in a red shirt. The man has sunglasses and a beard, while the woman has curly hair and sunglasses. Both are smiling.

Kindest, goofiest Marla with a human baby

Marla is an Amsterdammer!

A smiling woman and man sitting on a gray couch, holding a brown and white dog with its tongue out, in front of a plain white wall.

One beautiful family, Amsterdam