No matter how hard they try, many shelter dogs fail to impress their potential adopters. For some reason, they remain overlooked, waiting for that “perfect shot at happiness.”
Baby Girl, or Guapa, as called by her beloved Michigan caregivers, waited for too long. This sweet lady spent almost a decade with no interest, making her officially the oldest resident at the shelter.
Still, during all that time, Baby Girl never stopped hoping – and eventually, the perfect couple knocked on her shelter’s door!
Overlooked For Almost A Decade
Baby Girl’s life wasn’t a picnic, especially during her puppyhood stage. She was rescued from a neglectful owner as a victim of a hoarding situation. At only seven months of age, Baby Girl was brought to Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary in Michigan, where her new life chapter began.
Day after day, both Baby Girl and her caregivers hoped that someone would eventually give this sweet, energetic pup a chance. Sadly, years passed, and no one showed any interest in her.
Baby Girl grew to be the oldest resident at the facility. Yet, the volunteers did everything to make her feel at home – and that’s exactly how she felt.
Baby Girl made a lot of hooman friends in the rescue, spending her days in the yard, playing and running freely as much as possible.
Then, exactly eight years and nine months after being admitted to the shelter, someone finally noticed her!
Matt and Kristine Opsommer, a Michigan couple who lost their dog a few years ago, instantly fell in love with this senior lady and decided to adopt her.
“A wish came true for sweet Guapa, and all of us yesterday! Tears of joy were had by everyone that loved and cared for her during her stay with us,” MAS wrote in a Facebook post.
After so many years of hope, Baby Girl finally found her perfect match. At the time of adoption, she was almost nine years old, yet neither she nor her new owners considered it a concern. She was home, and that was the only thing that mattered.
“This story proves without a doubt there is a loving family out there for all our rescue dogs,” the Michigan rescue added.
At Almost 14, Still Not Ready To Slow Down
The thing that truly fascinated her current owners was how quickly Baby Girl transformed into her new home.
Within only a few months, she became a brand-new dog, eager to explore new things and play endlessly. She had all this puppy energy that made her look younger than she actually was.
This year, Baby Girl is turning fourteen, and she’s still not intending to slow down. Aside from minor arthritis in her front leg, she runs, goes on walkies, plays in her spacious yard, and takes cozy afternoon naps.
To Matt and Kristine, Baby Girl is an endless source of entertainment. Although she’s not quite interested in meeting new people, her owners find her personality more than enough.
“She continues to provide us with joy and laughter every day. She is still hesitant about meeting new people but she more than makes up for it in her love and devotion to us,” the couple told the MAS team, according to the post.
It’s safe to say that, thanks to her owners, Baby Girl has truly made up for all the lost time. She’s happier than ever and couldn’t be more excited about what’s to come!