Life has never been kind to Joy, a sweet deaf pup. Her heartbreak began when her owners abandoned her at an overcrowded shelter — while she was heavily pregnant.
Confused and hurt, she couldn’t understand why she was left behind at the very moment she needed care and affection the most.
When her puppies were born, Joy poured all of her love into them, hoping they’d be adopted into families who would never abandon them.
Her wish came true — one by one, all of her babies found forever homes. Soon after, Joy was moved to Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary in Kansas, holding onto hope that her turn for love would come, too.
Sweet Joy
It didn’t take long for the sanctuary’s staff and volunteers to fall for Joy’s bright personality. She loved going on walks, and her playful antics always brought a smile to everyone’s face.
The team was sure she would steal a potential adopter’s heart in no time.
“Miss Joy loves going for long walks, playing in the yard, and collecting all the stuffies! She is very playful, sweet, and full of personality. Little tiny bestie is the best companion anyone could ever ask for,” the sanctuary shared on Facebook.
Thanks to the love and attention she received, Joy settled into sanctuary life and began dreaming of the day she’d finally meet her forever family.
At first, her heart brimmed with hope. But as weeks turned into months and she kept being overlooked, that optimism began to fade.
Over the years, Joy has been in and out of several foster homes. She adores people, but she can be selective with canine companions — preferring the company of bigger dogs rather than smaller ones.
Still Holding On To Hope
Despite her hearing loss, Joy has learned sign language for many important words and phrases, including “I love you,” “good girl,” “sit,” “no,” “leave it,” “peanut butter,” “walk,” “drink,” and “eat.”
She truly is a smart and loving girl — yet no one has shown interest in meeting her.
Watching her shelter friends leave with their new families while she stays behind, Joy can’t help but wonder why she hasn’t been chosen.
Her sanctuary family does their best to reassure her that the right people are out there.
“… She’s been wondering why she hasn’t been picked yet. We keep telling her she’s the best girl in the world and they always save the best for last,” they wrote on Facebook.
For now, Joy continues to wait patiently, holding onto the belief that someday soon, she’ll be in the arms of a family who will love her forever.
I truly hope that this special girl finally gets the happy ending she has been longing for.