Shelters are not forever homes. We are grateful that the dogs who end up there are finally off the streets, but shelters are loud and stressful. Imagine the profound sadness felt by Drogo when, after enduring 500 days in a shelter, he was returned just a week following his adoption. Many shelter dogs languish for years, yearning for a permanent home. Some dogs, like Drogo, face prolonged waits filled with uncertainty, clinging to the hope of a happier future. Living in a shelter, confined to the same four walls day after day, is certainly better than street life, but it’s far from ideal.
Drogo, an American Pit Bull Terrier, found himself at the Austin Animal Center after his owner was evicted and failed to return for him, leaving Drogo to seek a new home. As days turned into weeks and then months, every other dog seemed to find a home but him. Drogo became the shelter’s longest resident.
Despite being a favorite among the staff and volunteers who adored him, they all wished more than anything to find him a loving home. “I know you shouldn’t play favorites… but Drogo is my favorite. He thinks he’s a lapdog, and we haven’t had the heart to tell him otherwise. Drogo is house-trained, doesn’t bark much, and did well with my 6-year-old son. He’s a friend to every person he meets and quickly became a volunteer favorite. Drogo has been in the shelter for a year now, one of the longest stay dogs, and is so ready to have a home of his own,” said Jessica, a volunteer at the ACC.
Finally, Drogo was adopted, but his new beginning was short-lived as he was returned to the shelter after just a week. His return devastated everyone at the Austin Animal Center. “We are all crushed that Drogo was returned to the shelter so quickly. He was one of the longest stay dogs at the shelter, and now he’s back again. He’s devastated. It’s not fair,” a shelter worker expressed on TikTok.
Despite this setback, the shelter staff renewed their efforts to find him a forever home. They posted videos that garnered thousands of views and attracted media attention, but still, no one stepped forward to adopt him.
On his 4th birthday, marking over 550 days at the shelter, a volunteer threw him a birthday party, wishing for him to find a permanent home. “It must have been a good luck charm because Drogo was ADOPTED today after 500+ days in the shelter,” celebrated a Facebook post from the shelter.
Drogo’s story is one of patience and resilience. The deserving pup finally has a forever home where his heart can heal. Enjoy your new life, Drogo!
Toledo, United States.
