Meet the Senior Dog Who Finally Found a Forever Home After 450 Days in a Shelter

We all love a heartwarming tale about a rescue pet finding a new family, but the story of 12-year-old Laio will tug at your heartstrings harder than most. She was surrendered to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter in Wantagh, New York, on May 2, 2018.

 

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I will be right here waiting for you…❤️ #adoptlaio . . 🐾 Reminder: I require a solo dog home! . Sweet Laio – 12 years old and homeless. Doesn't get much sadder than that, does it? Laio (pronounced Lay-O) came to us as an owner surrender in May 2018. The owner, who only had her for 4 years, was moving and was unable to take her along. Laio lived with people of all ages, from young kids to seniors. She is house trained, knows lots of commands, and was described by her owner as playful and lazy. Laio has been so well behaved here at the shelter that she has been lucky enough to go out on foster day field trips to local businesses and parks. Laio has been a rock star and loves getting into the car and going around town. Laio is in need for a solo dog home, which always makes it a little tougher, but we know her forever family is out there! If you are interested: Please call for more information: 516-785-5220, visit us at: ‪3320 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh NY 11793 or‬ email us: [email protected] ! . . #pittielove #pibble #pitbullsofig #pitsofinstagram #dontbullymybully #dontbullymybreed #rescuedogsofinstagram #pitbulllove #pitbulladvocate #bullylove #bulliesofinstagram #adoptdontshop

A post shared by Laio (Lay-O) 🌸 (@adopt_laio) on Jul 25, 2019 at 12:59pm PDT

"Her owners were moving, and they couldn't take her along with them," Lucretia, a volunteer at the shelter, told Best Life. "Laio was very friendly with people. She was actually used for mentoring for the new volunteers. She wasn't very social with dogs, just an old gal that kept to herself. She was very well behaved in her kennel. Maybe that's why she wasn't noticed for such a long time."

 

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Tomorrow will be my 450th day in the shelter. I keep waiting, and people here say I'm cute, but no one wants to take me home. I hope someone picks me up today so I don't have to hit 450 days. 💔 . Sweet Laio – 12 years old and homeless. Doesn't get much sadder than that, does it? Laio (pronounced Lay-O) came to us as an owner surrender in May 2018. The owner, who only had her for 4 years, was moving and was unable to take her along. Laio lived with people of all ages, from young kids to seniors. She is house trained, knows lots of commands, and was described by her owner as playful and lazy. Laio has been so well behaved here at the shelter that she has been lucky enough to go out on foster day field trips to local businesses and parks. Laio has been a rock star and loves getting into the car and going around town. Laio is in need for a solo dog home, which always makes it a little tougher, but we know her forever family is out there! If you are interested: Please call for more information: 516-785-5220, visit us at: 3320 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh NY 11793 or email us: [email protected] ! . . #pittienation #pitbull #adoptme #adoptabledog #adoptdontshop #dogs #dogsofinstagram #shelterdogsofinstagram #rescue #longisland #newyork #seniordog #adoptableseniordog #ny #nyc #nassau #wantagh #savealife

A post shared by Laio (Lay-O) 🌸 (@adopt_laio) on Jul 24, 2019 at 8:32am PDT

According to the ASPCA, the adoption rate for seniors—any dog who's seven years old or older—is only 25 percent, so many of these pups are passed over purely because of their age.

"Laio seemed to deal with the shelter life as best she could," Lucretia said. "It made me admire her. As if she had the attitude, 'This is the hand I was dealt in life right now, and I'm going to make the best of it.'"

 

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I will smile just like this when someone comes to adopt me. I probably will have an even BIGGER smile! I've been here for 455 days, and I'd really love to leave. 💔 . 🐾Please remember that I require a solo dog home, and a meet and greet is required at the shelter! 🐾 . Sweet Laio – 12 years old and homeless. Doesn't get much sadder than that, does it? Laio (pronounced Lay-O) came to us as an owner surrender in May 2018. The owner, who only had her for 4 years, was moving and was unable to take her along. Laio lived with people of all ages, from young kids to seniors. She is house trained, knows lots of commands, and was described by her owner as playful and lazy. Laio has been so well behaved here at the shelter that she has been lucky enough to go out on foster day field trips to local businesses and parks. Laio has been a rock star and loves getting into the car and going around town. Laio is in need for a solo dog home, which always makes it a little tougher, but we know her forever family is out there! If you are interested: Please call for more information: 516-785-5220, visit us at: 3320 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh NY 11793 or email us: [email protected] ! . #pittienation #seniordogsrule #adoptabledog #adoptme #adoptdontshop #rescuedog #terriersofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #dogs #shelterdog #longisland #newyork #wantagh #townofhempsteadanimalshelter

A post shared by Laio (Lay-O) 🌸 (@adopt_laio) on Jul 30, 2019 at 7:45am PDT

To help her odds of finding a home, some volunteers created a Instagram account for Laio, which got a little attention. But she didn't go viral until WeRateDogs, a Twitter account with more than 8 million followers, shared her story on her 450th day without a home.

This is Laio. Today is her 450th day without a home. She just turned 12 and would really like to spend her golden years with you. She's pup for adoption on Long Island, NY, and you can ask about her below. 14/10https://t.co/w1Ciptut4e pic.twitter.com/X6d98k9NkR

— WeRateDogs™ (@dog_rates) July 25, 2019

The founder of the account even paid Laio a visit to lift her spirits, telling her not to lose hope.

I happened to be in NYC last weekend, and I couldn't come home without taking a trip up Long Island to see Laio. We went for a walk, I gave her a peanut butter pupsicle, and I told her how close she is to finding a forever home. pic.twitter.com/SfosI1NyaL

— WeRateDogs™ (@dog_rates) July 30, 2019

And, sure enough, on August 11th, Laio finally got the forever home she deserved!

Laio found her forever home this week. Thank you to everyone who shared her story and to her caretakers at the shelter for never losing hope. #ClearTheShelters ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Oph296AEjn

— WeRateDogs™ (@dog_rates) August 17, 2019

"They are a wonderful family," Lucretia said of the pup's adoptive pawrents. "She is decompressing and adjusting to a home with multiple cats, so it is still a work in progress and we hope this is her happy ever after."

 

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Dear Laio's Loyal & Devoted Fans – we are thrilled to announce our beloved marshmallow has left the building! 🎉 We wholeheartedly thank each & EVERY ONE of you who shared, reshared, rereshared & supported Laio! And YOUR PATIENCE, we really appreciate that!!! With that being said, we want to remind everyone this is a very delicate time for Laio and her adopters. Laio has gained kitty siblings and this is a very, very slow process for the household. On top of that not to mention Laio has spent almost 500 days in the shelter and will need to steadily decompress. Her amazing adopters are putting their best efforts forward and we couldn't be more grateful. Let's all keep our fingers & paws crossed for Laio and her new family. With Love & Gratitude, Laio's Buddies 🌸🐾 . . #cleartheshelters #imadopted #teamlaio #seniordogsrule #adoptaseniordog #tohanimalshelter #happytails

A post shared by Laio (Lay-O) 🌸 (@adopt_laio) on Aug 17, 2019 at 11:20am PDT

As uplifting as her story may be, it's also a reminder of just how many very good boys and girls are still out there waiting for their families, like Roo here.

 

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Even adoptable Roo @adoptabledog here wants pupdates on Laio. BUT while Laio is adjusting in her new home, please go check out this alien dog that's been waiting for a home for so long! He was lucky to make it out of a high-kill shelter in the south but is STILL homeless 😓 #adoptroo . . Cutie pie Roo needs a home! He's been through so much in 3 years, surviving a high kill shelter in Louisiana, then heartworm. Thanks to @getabull Rescue, Roo is now happy & healthy – but he's still without a forever home and a family to call his own. Someone out there needs a little more Roo in their lives, and with your help we can find them! 💪 #daretoshare #adoptroo Huntington, NY: Roo is an adorable, quirky, energetic and expressive little dude! He's on the small size at about 45lbs, and super smart – Roo is crate / house / treadmill / obedience trained! His ideal family is an adult-only home with dog experience who are committed to focusing his energy and continuing to teach him structure and rules. Roo is a quick learner and thrives with training. In return he will be a loyal best friend, as Roo adores his people and is quite the charmer. He likes playing with other dogs but needs to be the only pet at home because he can be rude at times with other pups. Sorry, no kitties. Roo is currently on Long Island, NY but available for adoption in the North East, USA. To apply please email Get A Bull Rescue at [email protected]. #pittielove #pibble #pibblelove #pittiesofinsta #pitbullsofig #dontbullymybully #dontbullymybreed #rescuedogsofinstagram #shelterdog #blackdogsofinstagram #newyork #longisland #nassaucounty #suffolkcounty

A post shared by Laio (Lay-O) 🌸 (@adopt_laio) on Aug 19, 2019 at 11:39am PDT

If you're looking for a new best friend, you might want to use an app like How I Met My Dog, which can match you with a shelter dog much like a dating website. Who knows, your new best furry friend could be out there waiting for you. And for more proof that it's worth considering a senior, check out 21 Photos That Prove Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs.

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