Every dog deserves to find a forever home with a loving owner who will cherish them, but for some dogs, the journey to finding that special someone takes a little longer. Jax, a big dog with an equally big heart, had such a journey. He spent a long time at the Regina Humane Society, patiently waiting for the right person to come along. Not much is known about Jax’s life before he arrived at the shelter, but staff could tell from his condition that he likely spent a significant amount of time on the streets, struggling to survive on his own.
Bill Thorn, director of the Regina Humane Society, shared with Dodo Bird“He was very thin, so it looked like he had been alone for a while. Also, he was very, very hungry when he arrived. We made sure he had all the food he needed.”
After Jax was fostered and given a thorough health check by the shelter’s veterinary team, he was approved for adoption. Unfortunately, just days later, Jax contracted pneumonia and needed immediate medical attention. His adoption had to be postponed as he underwent weeks of treatment. Eventually, Jax made a full recovery and returned to the shelter, ready to find a loving home once again.
Despite his sweet nature, Jax’s journey to finding a forever family proved more difficult than anyone expected. Although everyone who met Jax described him as affectionate and gentle, potential adopters often walked right past his kennel without giving him a chance. The reason? Jax suffered from what shelter staff called “barrier frustration.” When people approached his kennel, he would bark and growl—not out of aggression, but out of frustration that something was preventing him from getting the love he so desperately craved.
The shelter has tried to explain Jax’s behavior to visitors, hoping that someone will see through his initial reaction. However, first impressions are extremely important to potential adopters. However, the staff encourages people to meet and greet him so they can see that he is a completely different dog when he comes out of the kennel. Despite their efforts, Jax has remained at the shelter much longer than most dogs, who typically stay around 10 to 12 days.
As the months went by, Jax became a favorite among the staff. To show off his true, loving personality, they moved him to the front reception area, where he could interact more freely with visitors. “Over time, he became a favorite with the staff because we all knew he was a good dog, but we just needed to put him somewhere where he could show it,” Thorn explains.
Finally, after months of waiting, Jax’s dream came true. A man with experience caring for large and misunderstood dogs came to the shelter, and it was love at first sight. The connection between Jax and his new owner was instant, and it was clear that they were meant to be together.
The day Jax left the shelter was an emotional one for everyone at the Regina Humane Society. The staff gathered to see him off, but Jax had one more surprise in store. Before leaving, he walked around the room, saying goodbye to each person who had cared for him during his long stay. The shelter shared the touching moment on Facebook page, write:
“It was a tearful Friday afternoon when all the staff gathered to say goodbye to our little boy, Jax. After saying goodbye to his foster carer, he walked around the room and said goodbye to everyone there. It was such a sweet moment to end his long stay at the Shelter. Wishing Jax a wonderful life! ❤️”
Although there were tears, they were tears of joy. Jax had finally found his forever home with someone who understood and loved him as much as the staff. Thorn reflected on the experience, saying, “It took a while, but we found the right person for Jax, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Jax hasn’t forgotten his friends at the shelter. He visits his new dad regularly to say hello, and it’s clear he’s thriving in his new home. “He’s doing great and is very, very happy in his new home. You can see how much Jax loves his dad too!”
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Sometimes the wait for true love is long, but as Jax’s story shows, it’s always worth it! Click below to experience Jax’s sweet goodbye to the shelter staff. It’ll make your whole body smile!
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