Happy Tears as Emaciated Dog Abandoned at Shelter Door Finds Home After 3 Years
Shelter staff at the Humane Society of Greater Miami arrived one morning to a heartbreaking sight that would stay with them forever.
@humanemiami The Ultimate & Final Jones Update! ✨ After waiting almost five years for his forever home, Jones was FINALLY adopted today! His adopters recently lost their senior pet, and when they saw Jones’ viral videos, they instantly fell in love. They told us he reminded them of their beloved pet, and they couldn’t bear the thought of him spending his final years without a family. It’s always a bittersweet moment when our long-timers walk out those doors with their new families, but we couldn’t be happier for our sweet man, Jones. Jones has been, and always will be, a favorite among our staff, volunteers, foster parents, and Bark Around Town crew. We know who’s about to be extra spoiled! We hope he and his family come visit us soon. A HUGE thank you to everyone who posted, shared, and advocated for Jones—you helped him find his perfect match! ❤️ Now, onto finding loving homes for the rest of our seniors and long-timers! #adopted #happytails #jones #humanemiami #humanesocietymiami #adoptaseniorpet #adoptadog #adoptaseniordog ♬ BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
Outside their shelter’s doorstep lay a sick dog, abandoned in an emaciated state. The dog—later named Rogue—had a black collar around his neck and a blanket beside him, telltale signs that he once had an owner who no longer wanted him. Rogue was so weak he couldn’t even lift his head, let alone stand. Shortly after his rescue, he began experiencing seizures, prompting his rescuers to seek immediate veterinary care.
An Unwanted Survivor
At the vet, it was established that Rogue was not only underweight but also had parasitic infections. Sadly, Rogue was also diagnosed with cluster seizures, which the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine describes as multiple seizures occurring within a 24-hour period.
Luckily, Rogue received treatment and around-the-clock care to get his physical health on track. Every breath was a battle, but through it all, he maintained a fighting spirit. By the time Rogue was being brought back to the shelter, he was in a much better shape. Unfortunately, his struggle with cluster seizures persisted, and it eventually became the one thing hindering him from finding a forever home.
For three long years, since September 2021, Rogue silently cried for a family to call his own, but all he got was rejection. No one was willing to overlook his struggle with seizures. But as they say, sometimes, the most beautiful breakthroughs take time to arrive. Thanks to all the love and support he consistently got from everyone at the shelter, Rogue never gave up. He tried his best to remain optimistic that the right family out there would look past his health challenges and choose him. Thankfully, his optimism paid off.
Rogue Lands Home of His Dreams
After years of waiting, Rogue recently got adopted by an amazing family that saw him for who he was: a brave, loveable soul who deserved a lifetime of love because of how hard he fought for his second chance. To them, Rogue wasn’t a dog to be pitied. He was a dog to be admired and chosen for his resilience.
Rogue still requires medical management for his seizures, but he’s lucky to have found a family that will do everything in their power to give him the quality of life he deserves. This handsome boy doesn’t allow his health challenges to get in the way of him living life the fullest. Rogue loves his humans with every inch of him; you’d think he’s never tasted abandonment. He’s the happiest he’s ever been in his new home, proving that, indeed, the long wait was worth it.
“Rogue’s new family made the best decision. They took a chance on a dog who will now spend the rest of his life showing them gratitude for choosing him,” pet rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka says.
