Some pups simply have to wait a little longer than others before their forever home finally comes along. But when that day arrives, all the lonely nights and hopeful mornings spent waiting suddenly fade away, replaced by pure joy.
Take Major, for instance.
This sweet boy spent over a year waiting at a shelter, wagging his tail in hope each time an adopter walked by. For reasons no one could quite figure out, he kept getting overlooked, until his perfect human showed up and changed his life forever.
Saved Just In Time
Before Major became the star of the Naperville Area Humane Society, both he and his brother, Hilo, were in a shelter in Quincy, Illinois.
Staff members explained that if the two hadn’t been rescued when they were, they likely would have been euthanized. Thankfully, NAHS stepped in just in time to save their lives.
Major and Hilo quickly proved themselves to be goofy, playful, and incredibly lovable. They enjoyed everyone’s company—staff, volunteers, and fellow pups alike.
The NAHS team even created a heartwarming video of Major and Hilo showcasing their personalities, hoping it would help them find homes.
“This weekend, they will have officially hit their 365-day mark at NAHS and we can’t understand why. So, we put this video together of some of our staff and volunteers, the ones who know them best, to share with you all the great things they have to offer,” they wrote.
Why Was He Overlooked?
To this day, nobody at NAHS understands why Major was ignored by adopters for so long. He had no behavioral issues, loved people, and was a well-mannered, easygoing companion.
Winston, a longtime volunteer, shared: “Don’t tell the other dogs – he’s the smartest one here!”
Jane added: “He’s such a lovebug, and everybody here at the shelter wants him to have his own family.”
And Pam couldn’t agree more: “Major is the sweetest little boy.”
Despite all this praise, month after month went by, and Major continued to wait patiently.
Still, Major never lost his spirit. He adored playing with other shelter dogs and always found ways to show his gentle, friendly side. Whether big or small, shy or outgoing, Major got along with everyone.
The Day That Changed Everything
Exactly 372 days after he first arrived at NAHS, Major’s life took an unexpected turn.
Jose, a semi-trailer truck driver who had recently lost his beloved dog, walked into the shelter in search of a new companion.
The staff knew instantly who he needed to meet.
They introduced him to Major, and the connection was immediate. Jose and Major clicked from the very first moment, and it quickly became clear—Major had finally found his person.
The shelter staff, though overjoyed, felt bittersweet about saying goodbye to a dog they had all grown to love. They organized a heartfelt farewell, letting each volunteer give Major one last hug before he left.
When the time came, Major proudly hopped into Jose’s truck. His smile said it all—he knew he was finally heading home.
Seeing him snuggled against Jose through the truck window melted everyone’s hearts. At long last, Major was where he belonged.
A Brand-New Life On The Road
Major’s days of shelter life are now behind him. Instead, he’s experiencing exciting adventures as Jose’s co-pilot.
“We just heard from Major’s new dad that Major is doing GREAT! Major can jump out of the truck by himself now and LOVES to snuggle with his new owner at night in the cabin. We are so thrilled to hear that Major is enjoying his exciting life on the road,” NAHS shared.
From long-haul journeys to cozy nights curled up with Jose, Major is living every moment to the fullest. His days of waiting and wondering are finally over, replaced by endless love and new adventures.
And most importantly: his tail never stops wagging.