Dog News

Ten-Year Shelter Dog Finally Gets a Home

by Melanie

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3.1.14 - 10-Year Shelter Dog Gets a Home1

Gordon came to the Memphis rescue group Sunny Meadows as a year-old puppy in 2003.  He saw kennel mates come and go over ten years, but no one wanted him.  He was sweet and silly, so volunteers couldn’t understand why.  Finally, a family came in looking for a dog just like Gordon, and now he has a real place to call home for the rest of his life.

Sunny Meadows is the mid-south’s largest nonprofit, no-kill rescue group with a facility for over 200 animals.  Gordon came to the group as a stray youngster back in 2003.  The staff loved him – he was a real ham, and loved attention.

“He is such the goober,” said volunteer Katey McCabe.  “He loved going on car rides to get lunch, loves squeaky toys, and loved the kitty pools we put out in the hot summer. He would jump in the pool, splash around for a bit, then just lay in the pool relaxing.”

With such a vivacious personality, staff members were stumped that he could be so easily looked over as the years passed without a single adoption application being submitted.

“I think half reason is his color,” Katey said.  “We do have a lot of black dog adoptions, but they are usually the smaller breeds.

In November, Gordon was finally adopted.

“The adoptive family wanted a pet that was silly, laid back, and had been with us for a while.  We couldn’t think of anyone else besides our Gordon,” Katey explained.  “They came right in saw him, heard his story and fell in love.  We knew he had a family out there waiting for him, it was just going to take time.  This family is perfect for Gordon.  They had patience, understanding of what they were getting into, and tons of love to give to a great boy like Gordon.  Happy ending to his journey.

“I couldn’t be happier to see one of our senior dogs get adopted, but [for] one of our seniors that has been with us for so long, I cry and feel the hope being restored in my mind for the others senior long term residents here.  It brings me so much joy to know that Gordon’s journey does not end with Sunny Meadows and me.  I love that his life journey has been rewritten by such a sweet and caring woman.”

Many might think, well, he’d been at the shelter so long, it seems sad to take him from the only place he knows as a home.  But now Gordon can spend his senior years being doted on and getting all the attention, play time and walks that come in limited supply at a shelter where there are so many animals.

“He even gets to sleep in the bed under the covers now!  He is loved and we couldn’t be happier for him,” said volunteer Amy Goad.

Sunny Meadows has lots of dogs and cats that need a happy ending like Gordon’s.  If you’re interested in adopting a dog in the Memphis area, please click here.