Some shelter pups find homes within days. Others wait for weeks or months. But some, like Ozzy, are left behind for much longer, watching as families walk past their kennels over and over again.
For those dogs, each day feels the same. I can’t even begin to imagine how hard hope becomes to hold onto.
Ozzy Pawsborne, named in honor of the legendary singer and songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, definitely knows this feeling. For more than 500 days, Ozzy has greeted visitors with a wagging tail and a smile, even as he watches other dogs leave for their new lives.
Ozzy’s latest video, captured by one of the volunteers in a Washington shelter, broke many hearts.
Ozzy Just Wants To Be Loved
Ozzy is the epitome of a soulful, loyal pup with the sweetest eyes ever.
“How it feels when you visit the shelter dog who has been there the longest, and he smiles at you,” the video text reads in a post that has now gone viral.
“This is Ozzy. He’s been waiting for a home for 502 days,” shared Julie Saraceno, the volunteer at the Benton Franklin Humane Society in Washington who filmed her visit.
The clip shows Ozzy’s tail wagging as Julie walks past his kennel. The minute she approaches him, this striking six-year-old Husky showers her with a beautiful smile, despite his long wait.
Before long, the video struck a chord with viewers everywhere. Many people reached out, leaving heartwarming messages of support for Ozzy, hoping that the dog would find his happily ever after.
“I can’t believe he has been there that long! He seems like the sweetest, sensitive little guy,” one commenter wrote.
“He’s BEAUTIFUL! Praying “his people” find him very, very soon! Thank you for supporting him,” another added.
“Let’s get this pup home! No doggo deserves to be locked up that long,” a third person wrote.
Still Waiting
There’s no doubt that Ozzy’s patience and his spirit have made him a favorite among the staff.
However, 500 days is a heartbreaking milestone for any dog. While others have come and gone, Ozzy has remained, waiting for the right person to walk through the doors.
The rescue has made it clear: while he may not be heavy metal like his rock-star namesake, Ozzy is every bit pure heart.
“Ozzy Pawsborne isn’t heavy metal—but he is pure heart. Loyal, soulful, and just a little rough around the edges, he’s the kind of dog who just wants a human to love him forever. The kind of dog who will be your shadow, your protector, your best friend,” the Washington rescue shared in another Facebook post.
Ozzy’s resilience after such a long stay shows the strength of his personality. He continues to greet visitors with a smile and a wag in his tail.
According to his caregivers, he’s a dog who thrives on companionship and is definitely ready to bond with the person who finally chooses him.
Until the day finally comes, Ozzy will keep waiting at the shelter. Hopefully, his next visitors won’t just pass by, but will see him for who he truly is: a dog ready to give his whole heart!