For shelter dogs, adoption is more than a fresh start. It represents love, safety, and the hope of finally belonging. When that chance disappears, the disappointment is profound.
Duke, lovingly called Meatball, learned this in a way no dog should.
After being overlooked at an Indiana shelter again and again, the eighty-pound Terrier mix finally got the moment he had waited for. He walked out of his kennel full of excitement, ready to join a family he believed would be his forever home.
But within a single day, everything fell apart.
A Promising Beginning Cut Short
The most heartbreaking part of Duke’s situation is that it was not the first time someone let him down. Duke first came to the DeKalb Humane Society in Indiana as a young puppy and was adopted into a home that seemed stable.
For years, he enjoyed a normal life. He had a family, a routine, and a place where he felt secure. Then everything changed when his owners moved and chose to leave him behind.
“Duke’s been through it. He was adopted as a pup and raised in a home for years, only to be left behind when his people moved. He came to us heartbroken but hopeful,” the Indiana shelter wrote on Facebook.
Duke, confused and abandoned, was picked up as a stray and brought back to DHS. This time, finding a new family proved to be a challenge. While other dogs found homes, Duke remained at the shelter, hoping someone would give him a second chance.
Eventually, a family decided to adopt him. It seemed like his long wait had finally come to an end.
But that happiness did not last long.
On his very first day in his new home, Duke managed to escape the backyard. Instead of working through the incident and helping him adjust, his adopters concluded that he was not a good fit and returned him to the shelter.
“He was adopted again recently, but slipped away during a backyard oops and was sadly returned,” the shelter added.
For a dog who struggled with the stress of shelter life, the sudden return was heartbreaking. After just a brief taste of life outside the kennel, Duke was back behind the same door he hoped to leave forever.
Still Wishing For Someone To Choose Him
Duke’s journey has been filled with setbacks. He knows that life has more to offer than the routine inside a shelter, which is why returning has been especially difficult for him.
Still, his spirit has not broken. Staff members describe him as affectionate, lively, and eager to bond with the right people.
“Duke would do best with an active family who has the time to work with him on training and can provide a lot of love and exercise. A home without other pets would be ideal, where he can be the center of attention and continue to develop his social skills,” his caregivers explained.
Now six years old, Duke is healthy, neutered, fully vaccinated, and ready for a new chapter. He loves human company, enjoys playtime, and wants nothing more than a loyal home that will stand by him.
What Duke needs most is a committed family, one that can offer consistency and affection after years of uncertainty.
His story may be full of heartache, but it is also a reminder of his determination. With the right people, Duke can finally find the comfort and sense of belonging he has been waiting for.
Let’s hope his next adoption is the one that lasts.