Recently, we’ve come across numerous heartbreaking tales of dogs that have not experienced the care and love they deserve. Whether through abandonment, neglect, or abuse, it’s always painful to witness these innocent creatures in distress.
One such story is that of Cleto, a dog who faced hardships from the start. Despite finding a home as a puppy, his owner was anything but nurturing.
When the team from West Coast Paws Dog Rescue intervened to rescue Cleto from his abusive situation, he was in a dire state both physically and mentally. In the shelter, he received the care he needed and was made to feel welcome.
Sadly, he still lacked the most crucial element – a forever home, for which he had to wait an agonizing 10 years.
Love Kept Him “Alive”
For Cleto, leaving his abusive environment marked the start of a new and joyful chapter. While a shelter is not ideal for dogs, this transition was crucial for Cleto’s survival.
“For Cleto, the only home he had known was one filled with abuse, so the shelter was a significant upgrade. It aided in his socialization with other dogs, yet it was heart-wrenching to realize he had never experienced a true home,” stated Zoë Yoxall, cofounder of West Coast Paws Dog Rescue, in an interview with The Dodo.
Even in a situation devoid of a genuine family or real home, Cleto never let go of his joyful spirit during his time at the shelter. Whenever he met a potential adopter, he consistently demonstrated his love for people, despite all that he had endured.
It remains perplexing why Cleto was overlooked for adoption for so long. Several factors contributed to this, many linked to the aftermath of the abuse he suffered.
“He was frequently passed over because he is a larger dog (nearly 50 pounds), and those are often seen as less ‘desirable’ pets,” remarked Yoxall. “He also has a chunk missing from his ear and a scar on his face, which gives him an intimidating look. Despite being welcoming, first impressions can be misleading. With over 100 dogs in the shelter, it was challenging for him to stand out.”
After many years, hope began to wane among his rescuers regarding Cleto ever finding a home. Yet, after reaching the age of 11, Cleto’s fortunes finally improved, granting him the moment he had long been waiting for.
It Was All Worth The Wait
On December 3, 2023, WCPDR shared Cleto’s touching story on their Facebook page. The post quickly resonated with many kind-hearted individuals who were moved by Cleto’s plight.
Just a few days later, the same post was updated with joyous news. Cleto was adopted that very day!
“They learned about Cleto through Facebook, thanks to a strong network of people sharing, liking, and commenting,” Yoxall noted. “It only takes one person to see the right post for a dog to find [his] forever home!”
It was a moment of unadulterated happiness for Cleto and his new family. His new mother was overwhelmed with emotion as she witnessed how thrilled and content this dog was to finally have a loving home and caring family.
“He appeared genuinely thrilled to meet us and really seemed like he had been anticipating this moment for a long time,” remarked Dan and Heda, Cleto’s new parents, to The Dodo.
Despite spending years confined within the shelter walls while hoping for this moment, it seems that it was indeed all worth the wait in the end.
