Here’s a major story that would give you some major smiles!
This is Major, and sorry for sounding so redundant, but yeah, this is major news. He and his brother Hilo were in animal control in Quincy, Illinois. Fortunately, the Naperville Area Humane Society (NAHS) stepped in just in time to save them from being euthanized.
That was just the start of Major’s long journey to a forever home.
The 3-year-old dog waited day by day at the shelter. He and Hilo were spending their days being good boys in there. They made friends, and the staff loved them, but a year passed, and they just kept getting ignored.
The staff wondered what that was, and this broke their hearts.
NAHS Executive Director Kristen Funk told The Dodo:
“None of us could figure out why [he wasn’t getting adopted] because he really is a great dog. Unfortunately, I think that when [an animal] spends too long at a shelter, people tend to think there is something wrong with [them]. I think he fell into that stigma.”
And while this broke their hearts, it never broke Major’s spirits.
He still enjoyed his time in the shelter, taking walks with the staff, playing with other dogs, and occasionally manning their office. But something was missing: a forever home with his forever human.
The shelter kept posting about Major, but there was no interest in adopting him.
They even created a “Major Day” to commemorate his entire year of stay in the shelter. It was also a day to celebrate and raise awareness about the other animals who had been in the shelter for a year or more.
Thanks to the persistence of Major and the NAHS staff, they finally got some good news.
Jose, a semi-truck driver, once adopted a dog from the Naperville Area Humane Society seven years ago, and it was the perfect companion wherever he went. Sadly, that dog passed away recently, and Jose longed for a companion on the road.
He contacted the shelter and told them he was ready to adopt again.
Jose went into the shelter and met Major; the rest was history. The staff said it was a pairing that was “meant to be.” After 372 days, Major was finally off to his new life with his new dad.
The entire shelter sent Major off, cheering and giving their old pal their final pats (and treats).
They would surely miss his energy inside the shelter, but they’re happier that he finally got adopted. In just a few hours, he learned how to jump up in Jose’s semi-truck, and they were off on their new journey together, heading to North Dakota.
Jose said he lived in the area and planned to visit the shelter when they returned.
For now, he keeps them updated on how Major is adapting to his new life and tells them that their beloved pooch is “enjoying his exciting life on the road.” Kristen said that he was a dog “who never liked to be alone” and that being always beside his new owner, riding shotgun, was the perfect situation for him.
Watch how the staff said their farewells to Major. If you want to help Naperville Area Humane Society, you can send your donations here.
Source: Naperville Area Humane Society Facebook Page, ABC 7, The Dodo
