This is just an incredible story. It’s incredible because many would have given up on Olive, after a few years. But not the amazing rescuers at Yonkers Animal Shelter.
They told iHeartDogs.com: “We believe keeping our adoptable dogs alive no matter how long it take to get them home.”
The shelter frequently has dogs that stay two or more years. Four years ago, however, they had 30 dogs that had been there 2+ years. Eager to find them homes, the volunteers created a Facebook page to get the word out about these dogs and most found great homes.
They explained part of their problems is low traffic:
“We are a municipal shelter for the city of Yonkers. We are a very low traffic shelter. We are in area not very pit friendly and like most shelters 99 percent of our dogs are pit mixes. Much of Yonkers is apartments. Or Public housing with breed and weight restrictions; limiting immediately our adopter pool. Additionally we are in the back yard of high kill shelters. So potential adopters end most rescue focused on those dogs on the ‘to be destroyed list.’”
Olive had several things “against” her they explained. Brindle, after black, is the hardest to adopt out. She had to be an only dog. She was not great with new people. No kids and preferred woman to men. Even time became an enemy – they explained the longer she sat, the more adopters figured there was something wrong with her, and passed her by when looking for a new friend.
And she became, a senior – making her even harder to adopt out.
“But,” they told iHeartDogs.com, “The staff and volunteers love her. She was keep very socialized and very much loved. It a real testament to our amazing volunteers that olive and others are still sane and adoptable after so long.”
The shelter told us she found the “perfect home with the perfect mom and ad. Who will love her forever and give her all the time and patience she needs. She is actually doing quite well!”
This adorable video shows you the love the shelter workers had for Olive – it’s a goodby montage and it will make you cry!
Olive goes home “Miracles don’t happen. You make them happen. They’re not wishes or dreams or candles on a cake. They require you never stop hoping , never stop believing and never stop trying. They’re not impossible. .but sometimes even Miracles take a little time. This one took almost 11 years . We can’t believe we finally get to type these words . OLIVE HAS BEEN ADOPTED. Yup you read correctly. Olive has left the building and tonight for the first time in almost 11 years she will sleep home tonight , belonging to someone who will love her forever . As you can imagine it is a bitter sweet day at the shelter . While we are beyond thrilled for her, we will selfishly miss that sweet face that has been part of our lives for so long. Many tears have been shed here today but for a change they are happy tears While Olive has been very loved and well cared for here a shelter is not a home. No longer will Olive be alone for 20 hours a day , no longer will she close her eyes behind bars wondering if tomorrow will be her day. TODAY Was her today. Today her life was forever changed and that would not have been possible without all of you who like us , never gave up and continued to share her story until she got home. While Olive’s new mom is not a stranger to our shelter , (she was a savior to one of our previous dogs. ) She only saw Olive’s story through the power of your sharing SHARING CHANGES LIVES Happy life sweet Olive , thinking of you sleeping curled up safe at home tonight just warms our soul You waited way too long but sometimes best things in life are worth waiting for.
Olive is getting the love and attention she deserves!
Many others are still looking!
If you are looking for a friend, Yonkers Animal Shelter has many deserving dogs who have been waiting awhile for their forever home. They adopt all over the United States and even Canada!.
All Adopters are fully screened. Contact is lesliem147@gmail.com, text 201-981-3215, or through their Facebook page.
