Longest Shelter Resident Smiles Himself To Sleep When A Family Chooses Him

Petey, the rescue dog, has always exuded joy, despite the challenges he’s faced. At just one-year-old, he had become the longest-standing resident at a small, overburdened county shelter in North Carolina. The shelter, struggling with capacity issues, had extended Petey’s stay beyond the norm. With no adopters on the horizon, the shelter contacted the SPCA of Wake County, hoping they could offer Petey more time to find a forever home. The SPCA readily agreed to take him in. Although the situation was grim, Petey didn’t appear saddened. Instead, he was excited to meet his new caretakers. His bubbly personality initially surprised the SPCA staff, given how frequently he had been passed over at his previous shelter.

Upon his arrival, Petey’s friends at the SPCA immediately posted his picture on their website, though they feared he might be overlooked yet again. However, Samantha Ranlet, a spokesperson for the SPCA explained that Petey’s future family saw his photo and instantly felt he was meant to be with them. About a month after his arrival at the SPCA, Petey’s new family came to take him home, permanently ending his prolonged stay in shelters.

Petey quickly adjusted to his new environment, embracing life with his puppy sibling and loving human family. He relishes playing fetch in the backyard and lavishing his family with hugs and kisses.

Each night, Petey, the once-neglected shelter dog, curls up in his cozy bed and drifts off to sleep with a broad smile. “That is the smile of a dog who knows he’s home,” the shelter expressed on Facebook. Petey represents many shelter dogs who are often overlooked for extended periods of time. With Petey’s story culminating in joy, Ranlet and the SPCA staff remain optimistic that their other long-term residents will soon find their happy endings, too.

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