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Woman’s Sign To Head To Shelter Leads To Dog Surrendered 3-Times

By: Julie Hunt
Julie Hunt is an avid dog lover and writer for iHeartDogs.com, and has a background as a veterinary technician. She rescued a beautiful former bait dog named Rory.Read more
| September 24, 2024

Riggs, a dog with a heart full of love, had always dreamed of finding a family to call his own, but his life had been marked by disappointment and loss. After being abandoned for the third time, the seven-year-old pup lay curled up in his kennel at the shelter, his face etched with sadness. The hope of ever finding a forever home had begun to fade, and he seemed to have resigned himself to the thought that the shelter would be where he’d spend the rest of his days.

@aprillaurenleigh/TikTok

One Saturday evening, a woman named April felt an unexpected pull to visit the local animal shelter, even though adopting another pet wasn’t part of her plan. With three cats and a dog already at home, adding another animal wasn’t something she had considered. However, trusting her instinct, she decided to visit the shelter the next day.

When she arrived, one dog immediately caught her attention: a sorrowful senior dog named Riggs, lying quietly in his kennel, looking as though he had lost all hope. The sight of him moved April to tears, and in that moment, she knew she had to bring him home.

@aprillaurenleigh/TikTok

Riggs’s journey to the shelter had been difficult. He had been found wandering the streets in 2019 and taken to Maricopa County Animal Control West in Phoenix. Though he had a microchip, his owner refused to take him back. As a result, Riggs remained at the shelter, waiting for someone to give him the love and home he desperately needed. Unfortunately, his story grew even sadder: despite being adopted three times, Riggs was always returned to the shelter, his heart broken each time.

But everything changed the day April walked into his life. Though her family hadn’t been looking for a new pet, their compassion won out, and they decided to give Riggs the forever home he had been waiting for. After meeting the rest of her family and filling out the necessary paperwork, April was able to take Riggs home the very same day.

@aprillaurenleigh/TikTok

As soon as Riggs realized he was going with them, his entire demeanor shifted. His face brightened, and he began wagging his tail with enthusiasm. For the first time in a long while, Riggs felt hope. The joy on his face was unmistakable; he knew he had been given a second chance at the happiness he had always longed for.

Footage Exposed a Dog Daycare Worker Abusing Dogs
Footage Exposed a Dog Daycare Worker Abusing Dogs

What these dogs went through must have been terrifying and painful. That's why we're demanding true and complete justice for these pups and their family.

Since then, Riggs has settled seamlessly into his new life with April and her family in Arizona. His humans can’t fathom why he was ever left behind, as his gentle nature and loving spirit shine through in everything he does. Riggs spends his days soaking up all the affection he can, never missing an opportunity to snuggle with his family.

Now living the life he once thought was out of reach, Riggs is finally living his dream. He is surrounded by love, and his days are filled with the happiness he always deserved. To experience Riggs meeting his new mom for the first time, click ‘play’ below.

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@aprillaurenleigh Taking all name recommendations for this sweet boy. #adoptdontshop #shelterdog #olddogs #dogadoption #germanshepherd ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

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