If dogs could put happiness into words, they would likely describe it as having a caring family and a safe, loving home to call their own.
Sadly, far too many pups never get that chance.
Chiquitita, a 12-year-old senior dog, is one of those souls still searching for a forever family. After waiting more than 650 days, she finally thought she had found her happily ever after—only for her joy to be cut short when her new family surrendered her back to the shelter.
Chiquitita’s Long Road
Life was not kind to Chiquitita in the beginning. She had been used as a bait dog in a cruel dogfighting ring before being rescued and taken into shelter care. Traumatized and in pain, she needed time to heal both physically and emotionally. On top of her fears, she was diagnosed with arthritis.
The shelter she was initially placed in was overcrowded, and heartbreakingly, her name appeared on the euthanasia list.
Thankfully, an alumni staff member reached out to the Watauga Humane Society in Boone, North Carolina, pleading for them to save her life. The team agreed and welcomed Chiquitita into their care.
The moment they met her, the staff knew she needed gentle love and extra patience to overcome her fears. But despite her hardships, they saw a spark of sweetness within her.
“Shelter life was not for Chiqui. The noises terrified her, the floor was too slick for her comfort, and she was restless. She spent the first two weeks with us hanging out in our admin offices while she adjusted to her new surroundings,” Watauga Humane Society wrote on Facebook.
More than anything, she needed a stable home where she could feel safe and loved.
Flourishing In Foster Care
That chance came when a compassionate couple decided to foster her. They opened their hearts and home, showering her with affection and helping her shed her fears.
Chiquitita loved curling up with them on the couch and joining them for car rides. Surrounded by love, she thrived, rediscovering the joy of simply being a dog.
Her fosters went above and beyond to give her every opportunity to find a family. They taught her to walk confidently on a leash, brought her to adoption events, and even shared her story with strangers during walks—airdropping her photos to anyone willing to stop and listen.
Still, despite her charm, months turned into years as Chiquitita continued waiting for someone willing to give her a forever home.
One challenge stood in her way: Chiquitita wasn’t compatible with other animals and needed to be the only pet in a household. This requirement made her adoption journey even longer.
When her first foster family had to move, she transitioned into the care of another foster, who quickly fell for her affectionate nature.
A Bittersweet Twist
Her second foster family adored her, and she showered them with endless kisses in return. After nearly two years of waiting, they officially adopted her.
The shelter staff was overcome with emotion, shedding tears of joy for their beloved senior pup who had finally found her place in the world. After 650 days, Chiquitita was home at last.
But sadly, her happiness was short-lived. Just a few months later, her new family returned her, explaining that they could not meet the care requirements she needed.
“We strongly believe that there is the right home for every shelter pet out there, but we also know that there is the wrong home for them as well. Not every pairing is a perfect match,” the shelter wrote.
Though her friends at Watauga Humane Society were heartbroken for her, they asked the community not to shame the family who made the difficult decision. Instead, they urged kindness and understanding.
Chiquitita may have endured disappointment, but her spirit remains unbroken. She continues to wait patiently for the family who will finally give her the forever home she has been longing for.
Her caretakers believe the perfect match is still out there—someone who will cherish her golden years and ensure she is never left behind again.
This sweet senior girl deserves nothing less than endless love, comfort, and the security of a family who will stand by her side forever.