Animal shelters work tirelessly to find loving homes for every pet in their care, often organizing adoption events to showcase their residents to potential adopters. One such event was held by Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) in Orlando, Florida, where the staff knew exactly who they wanted to spotlight: Baby Girl, their longest and oldest resident, whose dream was to finally be part of a loving family.
Meet Baby Girl
Baby Girl, a beautiful Pit Bull mix, arrived at the OCAS shelter after a harrowing rescue. She had been spotted trying to cross a busy interstate, a situation that could have easily ended in tragedy. Fortunately, a kind-hearted person stopped, coaxed the terrified dog into their car, and rushed her to OCAS, potentially saving her life.
At nine years old, Baby Girl was welcomed into the shelter with open arms. After settling in, she underwent a thorough medical examination, which confirmed that she was in good health. But more than that, she quickly showed everyone just how gentle and lovable she was. Despite not knowing much about her past or how long she had been a stray, the OCAS team knew one thing for sure: Baby Girl deserved much more than to spend her senior years in a kennel.
A Foster Home for Baby Girl
While the shelter staff worked hard to find her a forever home, they knew that a foster home would provide Baby Girl with the comfort and relaxation she needed. That’s when Su Morrison, a dedicated OCAS volunteer, stepped in. Su had fallen in love with Baby Girl and was more than happy to welcome her into her home as a foster.
Life in her foster home did wonders for Baby Girl. The peaceful environment away from the loud noises of the shelter allowed her to fully relax and show her true personality. Su quickly discovered that Baby Girl was not just sweet, but also a bit of a goofball, full of joy and love. “Having Baby in our home … it’s a pleasure. The longer she stays, the more we see what an absolute goofball she is. She is such a happy girl,” Su shared with OCAS, later posted on Facebook.
Another Try at Adoption
Even though Baby Girl was thriving in her foster home, she still held onto the hope of finding a forever family. When OCAS held their next adoption event, they made sure Baby Girl was front and center, hoping that someone would finally notice her. Sadly, despite her best efforts, no one stopped by her kennel to say hello. As the event drew to a close, fifty-eight other animals found their forever homes, but Baby Girl wasn’t one of them. She returned to her foster home feeling more discouraged than ever.
“No one is lining up outside for hours for this sweet girl. No one is fighting for her. No one is begging to adopt her, and it’s heartbreaking,” OCAS wrote in a poignant Facebook post.
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Baby Girl’s story took a heartwarming turn. Su Morrison, who had grown deeply attached to Baby Girl during her time as a foster, realized she couldn’t bear the thought of saying goodbye. Moved by Baby Girl’s incredible spirit and loving nature, Su decided to make her a permanent part of her family.
Now, Baby Girl is living the life she always dreamed of. She spends her days enjoying long, relaxing walks, car rides, and all the love she could ever want from her forever family. The transformation from a lonely shelter dog to a cherished family member is a testament to the power of patience, love, and second chances.
“Another foster fail, another happy dog,” Su wrote in a Facebook comment, capturing the joy and fulfillment that comes from giving a deserving dog like Baby Girl the forever home she truly deserves.
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