After 2,381 Days in a Shelter, Dog That Kept Getting Passed Over Is Finally Adopted
When faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, you’ve probably been told to “never give up.” One dog is living proof that holding onto hope really is worth it in the end.
Higgins, a senior German shepherd, spent most of his life at the Humane Society of Preble County in Ohio.
He was born at the shelter in 2012 and was almost immediately adopted as a puppy. However, on Sept. 23, 2012, Higgins returned to the shelter and remained there for the next six years.
“We heard he was nothing more than a dog chained up to a dog house,” shelter executive director Leslie Renner told The Dodo. “About a year later, someone walked in with a stray dog — and it was him.”
“Nobody ever came looking for him, nobody ever cared,” she said.
Those working at the shelter watched Higgins grow older, hoping that someone would open their home to him eventually. While Higgins was properly raised in the Humane Society’s care, a shelter doesn’t compare to the love of a proper family.
“We wanted him to be able to crawl up onto a soft couch and watch TV, run in his own backyard and have his very own person to love,” the Human Society wrote on Facebook.
“We watched Higgins grow up with us and pass through his teen and early adult years, until we finally admitted he was becoming a senior dog.”
In an attempt to find Higgins a loving home, the Humane Society posted on social media to spread the news that he was still up for adoption, and many people shared his story and image.
“His face always had such a worried look on it that he was a little intimidating when he was in his kennel,” Renner told The Dodo. “People just walked past him.”
Eventually, the hope and determination paid off. On April 30, 2019, Higgins’ “angel” walked into the shelter.
Brendan Reed knew that Higgins was the dog for him as soon as he saw his photos on social media.
“I work for a felony re-entry organization, and we’re all about giving guys a second chance who haven’t gotten that from normal society,” Reed told WDTN.
“And Higgins, I don’t know how he hadn’t been adopted yet, because he’s such a sweet dog. But I just wanted to give him a second chance because he’s been there for so long.”
The Humane Society was thrilled to see Higgins finally find his permanent home with a loving owner.
“We are so grateful and know that Higgins will be an awesome addition to this young man’s life,” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “Words are not enough to express just how incredibly happy we are for Higgins and how eager all of us here will be to see and hear updates on him.”
It’s no surprise that Reed was the one to open his home to Higgins. His family has had a soft spot for the Humane Society and its residents for years.
“My grandpa used to volunteer there, just play with the little dogs and everything,” Reed said. “And my mom and dad went there and they adopted two dogs from there. I think they both had been there two or three years.”
Reed recently wrote in a Facebook post that Higgins is living a “luxurious life” in his new home. Higgins even has his own Snapchat account, @higginsdoggo, where friends and followers can stay updated on his new adventures.
Thanks to Reed’s compassionate heart, Higgins is certain to enjoy the rest of his life beside his new best friend.
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