All shelter dogs dream of the day they will find their forever homes, but sometimes, that dream takes a long time to come true. They languish in their kennels, watching as adopters choose other dogs to take home. These sweet pups crave the simplest of things: LOVE. That was the case with Odie, a feisty Terrier mix who faced many ups and downs during his time at the shelter. After months of waiting, Odie finally got the happy ending he deserved. But it wasn’t without its challenges.
Odie arrived at the Tampa Bay Animal Shelter last year after being surrendered by his previous owner due to his “high energy.” From the moment he arrived, Odie’s unique appearance and personality captivated everyone at the shelter. With his distinctive underbite, described by shelter staff as “charming,” and irreversible umbilical hernia, Odie stood out from the crowd. In addition to his quirky appearance, Odie’s “goofy, lovable personality” made him an instant favorite with the staff.
Despite his lovable nature, Odie’s journey to finding a forever home was not an easy one. Last year, he was adopted by a new family, and for a brief moment, it seemed like he had found his forever home. However, this was not to be. Due to health issues, Odie’s new family was unable to provide the level of care and attention he needed, especially since he did not like being left alone for long periods of time. Heartbroken, they made the difficult decision to return him to the Tampa Bay Animal Shelter.
“Odie’s adopter’s health requires them to be away from home frequently, and Odie does not like being left alone for long periods of time,” explained Animal Protection Association.
Returning to the shelter was a sad failure for Odie, and finding a better match proved to be a challenge. Odie needed a family who could spend time with him, play with him, and take him for walks, but no one seemed to be the perfect fit. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months. Odie remained at the shelter for over 145 days, patiently waiting. During this time, Animal Protection Association continues to champion his cause, promising potential adopters that Odie will be “a loyal and loving companion who gets along quickly and will bring joy to your life”.
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Despite a history of violent behavior toward animals — including a widely circulated video showing his Pitbull brutally attacking a helpless cat — the individual continued to harm animals without prior intervention from law enforcement.
Finally, Odie’s luck changed. On August 27, the Humane Society happily announced that Odie had been adopted by “a wonderful family!”
“The instant connection and love they had for each other was amazing,” the Tampa Bay Animal Welfare Society shared on Facebook“The Hernandez family understands Odie’s needs and are eager to bring him home and start his life together!”
After a long, difficult journey filled with uncertainty, Odie has finally found his forever home with a family who loves him just the way he is. This is a heartwarming reminder that with patience and love, any dog can find their perfect mate.
Odie’s story is a perfect reminder of the importance of giving shelter dogs a chance. Beautiful, well-behaved puppies like Odie are waiting for kind people like you. Consider opening your heart and home to a dog in need today!
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