Every dog dreams of having a cozy home and a caring family. Sadly, many dogs aren’t so fortunate, spending their lives on the streets or in shelters.
Some dogs have had a challenging existence before ending up in shelters. One such dog faced immense hardships and only saw things get tougher when he was placed behind kennel bars.
Fortunately, this dog found a kind-hearted man who was ready to shower him with love. Their first picture together truly captures the depth of their bond.
Destined for Each Other
Porter, a four-year-old Chocolate Labrador, entered the Animal Protective Foundation in Glenville, New York, after living a tough life, even though he had a home.
“He was a service dog for a woman who is now unable to take care of him,” James Hathaway shared with Newsweek. “He would alert her about seizures and protect her during them.”
James Hathaway, the president of the Vermont and Northeast New York chapters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, was seeking a dog when he stumbled upon Porter. He instantly recognized that Porter was the one for him.
It was fate, as James sought a dog that resembled his late Chocolate Lab, Addie.
“I couldn’t believe my luck in finding a chocolate like my sweet girl. I arrived at the shelter a half-hour early. He ran to me wagging his tail, and I adopted him within minutes,” remarked James with joy.
Their picture together reflects the profound joy they share, especially evident on Porter’s face. They were undoubtedly meant for each other.
Everyone was Overjoyed
James reported that Porter is thriving in his new home and has even taken on a new role that suits him perfectly.
“He’s doing wonderfully, and as I’m the CEO of two Make-A-Wish chapters, his new role is to join me at work every day, greeting wish kids dreaming up their wishes just like my girl Addie did for nearly 10 years,” James shared.
Eager to introduce his new furry friend to others, he posted their photo on Reddit as u/MartianSlingshot, captioning it: “Porter is derping hard in our first pic together after I adopted him at the shelter.”
The post received an enthusiastic response from Reddit users, surprising James with its popularity. “I didn’t anticipate the attention it garnered, but everywhere I go with Porter, he is adored, and he deserves it,” James concluded.
We hope this story inspires more individuals to visit their local shelters and capture their own joyful moments with dogs finding their forever homes.
