Being in a shelter can be quite stressful for dogs. They remain in their cages and sleep on cold, hard mattresses. They also do not have their own humans to care for them and give them all the love they deserve. This is why it must have been so difficult for Pirate, an 11-year-old canine rescued by the organization known as the Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), to spend seven years at the shelter.
Jennifer Hoyt, a Hawaii-based US Army soldier, was on FaceTime with her fiancé, Dennis Shaffer, one evening. He was also in the military and was stationed somewhere else. Jennifer was scrolling on Facebook when she came across a photo of a sad, adoptable dog and she told him about the animal.
She instantly looked up the animal shelter’s Instagram account and discovered that the dog had been living there for a very long period. Jennifer could not stop crying and feeling sorry for the dog, so she showed it to her fiance.
Jennifer had only recently relocated to Hawaii when she was stationed there. She and Dennis had previously planned to get a dog, but they wanted to first settle into their new home. However, after seeing Pirate, they agreed that Jennifer should meet the dog.
She rushed to the shelter in order to meet Pirate. Jennifer was astonished by the staff’s assertion that nobody ever wanted to see the dog. In addition, they informed her that Pirate was a stray that had likely been abandoned after being used to have puppies.
Jennifer took Pirate outside of the shelter and walked him on a leash. The canine did not make eye contact with the human and appeared disinterested.
The dog also had hip issues, and the staff informed Jennifer that Pirate dislikes having his lower back and hind legs touched.
Jennifer was well aware that she would adopt Pirate once her fiancé returns to Hawaii. She also purchased Pirate a new bed and several toys, which he initially resisted playing with but later adored.
Pirate appeared to trust Jennifer more over time. Every day, the hooman would pay him a visit and they would spend hours together. As evidence of his faith in Jennifer, the dog would even let her pet his rear end!
The day finally arrived when Jennifer and Dennis officially adopted Pirate. The humans were overjoyed to witness the senior dog become a content and healthy canine. Pirate has finally found his forever family.
Source: Jennifer Hoyt