When dogs enter our homes, they instantly become part of our family. They deserve love, safety, and care—everything needed to live happily. Sadly, not every pup receives that kind of devotion.
Too many are abandoned, left to wonder why their humans betrayed their trust. One of them was a little puppy later named La-Z-Boy Gatson, who sat waiting for owners who would never return.
A Lonely Watch On Gatson Road
A frail 4-month-old puppy was discovered sitting in an old recliner along Gatson Road in Lincoln County, Mississippi.
Animal Control Officer Sharon Norton responded to the call and was heartbroken to see the scene. The young pup sat in the chair beside a discarded TV, as if he’d been left behind with the furniture.
He was weak and clearly hadn’t eaten for days. And yet, his eyes carried a flicker of hope—as though he truly believed his family would come back. He refused to leave the chair, clinging to the last bit of faith he had.
Finding Comfort And Trust
Norton slowly approached, offering him food. The starving puppy eagerly accepted the meal, grateful for kindness after days of loneliness. Along with food, she gave him soothing words that helped calm his fear.
Bit by bit, he began to relax, trusting that this person meant him no harm.
“He was very happy when I picked him up and carried him to the animal control truck. I could feel his tail hitting my back, wagging. He knows he’s safe now,” Norton recalled.
Norton brought the pup to Brookhaven City Shelter, where he received a bath and treatment for ringworm. Soon after, he was transferred to Brookhaven Animal Rescue League to continue his recovery.
She named him La-Z-Boy—after the recliner and the road where he had been found.
Rescue staff quickly fell in love with him, describing him as a sweet and social pup who loved playing with others and napping whenever he could. One of his favorite pastimes was splashing around in the water.
Once healthy again, he moved into foster care to wait for adoption. Thankfully, his wait wasn’t long.
A Forever Family
La-Z-Boy Gatson shared wonderful news on Instagram—he had found his forever family.
Dave Trammell and Sommer Guy, a couple from Michigan, had come across his story and couldn’t resist. They drove more than 15 hours from Michigan to Mississippi just to meet him.
“Something about the way he looked just touched me. He just looked so cute and sad,” Trammell said.
La-Z-Boy settled into his new home quickly. Within days, he was comfortable enough to sprawl out and sleep on his back—a clear sign that he finally felt safe.
“I think he just wanted to have a home. You could tell he was really appreciative when we got here,” Trammell added.
Now living happily in Plymouth, Michigan, La-Z-Boy enjoys car rides with his dog sister, Penelope, and still loves a good nap. Once abandoned and hopeless, this sweet pup is now thriving in the life every dog deserves.