A shelter—just one word, yet it triggers numerous negative feelings. While not all shelters are bad and many are striving to make dogs feel at home, I wonder… can anything really replace a true home? I don’t believe so, and neither does Arizona.
Although deeply loved and cared for in her Tennessee rescue, Arizona’s heart ached with each passing day. She held the record as the shelter’s longest resident for nearly 1,400 days, with no adopters in sight—until finally, things changed.
Four Birthdays At Humane Education Society
Like any new arrival at a shelter, Arizona was frightened. Almost four years ago, she was completely shut down and didn’t trust people. Why would she? She had no reason to trust until the kind-hearted staff at the Humane Educational Society in Tennessee offered her the gift of love. Gradually, this beautiful Pittie learned to trust her caretakers, coming out of her shell and revealing her wonderful personality. Fast forward nearly four years, and Arizona became the favorite of everyone, yet that didn’t bring her a new home.
“Arizona is an AMAZING girl who has come a long way from the dog she was nearly 4 years ago when she first arrived at HES,” the Tennessee shelter shared on Facebook. Despite her loving temperament, HES expressed disappointment that she had not yet found a home. “She’s more than ready to find her forever home – we can’t wait to wave goodbye to her when she finally rides off with her forever family,” they added.
For some reason, Arizona had often been overlooked, but she didn’t let that dampen her spirit. She had her humans, her dear friend Paddy, and endless hours of playtime. Then, following Paddy’s adoption, Arizona’s heart was shattered once more. Alone in the shelter without her companion, she faced despair. However, a miraculous turn of events soon unfolded!
Miracle, Happy Tears, And Arizona’s Happily Ever After
The family who adopted Paddy couldn’t help but wonder about Arizona’s situation. Understanding that they were best friends, they felt it was wrong for Arizona to remain without a forever home. After careful consideration and planning, the Habenicht family decided to adopt her.
“4 birthdays. 4 Christmases. 4 LONG YEARS of waiting… HES’s longest resident has found her forever home after nearly 1,400 days in the shelter,” the shelter joyfully announced in an update post.
Overjoyed, Arizona not only found a loving home but was also reunited with her best friend Paddy. Now, she also has a new sibling, a senior dog named Beaux, creating a wonderful trio. Everyone at the shelter shared in the joy—tears of happiness were shed as Arizona walked out the door for the last time into her forever home.
“Shelter staff, volunteers, and all those who loved Arizona shed happy tears as she left, carrying with her the love she deserved all along,” her caregivers remarked. With a family of her own, Arizona will no longer fret over being overlooked or watching others find homes; now she has found hers, just as she always deserved!
