Years ago, Shey, a 14-year-old miniature poodle, was dumped at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa for the saddest reason – his family was moving and he wouldn’t be taken with them.
For the next four months, Shey waited and waited at the shelter for someone to adopt her. He suffered from dental disease and had never been neutered, so the rescue center scheduled him for surgery and veterinary care. Only one of his teeth was not completely rotten.
He was deaf, half blind and almost toothless, there was no line of adopters at the door to wait for him. Until one day a little boy named Tristan came to the shelter, and none of it mattered to him.
Boy adopts the shelter’s oldest dog
Tristan and his mother were looking for a little dog who would love to be cuddled, and the shelter staff knew Shey would be the perfect dog.
Jessica Jorgenson of the Animal Rescue League told The Dodo:
Shey is super sweet and wants to be around people all the time.
The boy sat up excited, ready to meet his new friend. When the staff placed Shey in Tristan’s lap, the expression on the boy’s face was pure joy.
Jessica said:
Shey was very comfortable with Tristan from the start.
When adoption staff spoke to the family about some of Shey’s special needs, Tristan listened to every word, clearly willing to do everything possible for the sweet little dog nestled in her lap.
Jessica said:
He understood that Shey couldn’t hear what was going on and he couldn’t see things clearly, so he was very slow in his actions. He was very respectful of what Shey could and couldn’t handle.
Going through Shey’s medical history, Tristan even checked a calendar on his phone and started noting when he would need to take her to the vet for future vaccinations. She told the staff all about the special place in her room that she had also prepared for her.
Jessica said:
He was so attentive to Shey’s special needs. Tristan is very mature for his age and has asked a lot of questions.
It was obvious that Tristan would be bringing Shey home, after seeing how ready the boy was for a dog.
Now, comfortably at home with her family, it’s clear Shey has already found a new favorite place: in Tristan’s arms.
Although Shey has been waiting for a family for months after dropping out, Tristan does his best to make up for lost time.
Shey is very happy. Hugs are her favorite thing in the world, and she snuggled up to Tristan.
To help more dogs like Shey, you can donate to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa here.
Images: Facebook / Heather Reese
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