Animal shelters are often the last hope for abandoned animals to find a new home. Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) in Orlando, Florida, is no exception. They work tirelessly to introduce their animals to potential adopters. At one of their adoption events, however, the shelter’s longest resident, Baby Girl, was heartbreakingly overlooked by everyone.
But this story isn’t over yet. Baby Girl’s forever home was right under her nose the entire time.
A Rescue That Saved Her Life
Baby Girl, a gentle Pittie mix, was brought to OCAS after being saved from a dangerous situation. In February 2024, a Good Samaritan spotted her trying to cross a busy interstate. The kind-hearted stranger stopped their car, rescuing the terrified dog from what could have been a fatal accident.
Once safe, Baby Girl was rushed to the shelter, where she was greeted by a team of loving rescuers. Despite her tough past, she proved to be nothing short of sweet and affectionate. At nine years old, Baby Girl was in good health, and she won everyone over with her gentle nature.
“She’s a sweetheart with people and gets along well with other dogs,” OCAS wrote on Facebook. “We don’t know much about her past, but we do know she deserves a better future.”
A Foster Home and a Glimmer of Hope
Although the staff at OCAS were determined to find Baby Girl a loving home, they knew the noisy shelter environment wasn’t ideal for a senior dog. That’s when a wonderful opportunity came along — one of the volunteers, Su Morrison, decided to foster Baby Girl.
Life in her foster home was a dream come true for Baby Girl. Gone were the days of sleeping in a cold kennel. Instead, she now had a cozy bed, fun toys, and the peace and quiet she needed to relax. Su and her family quickly fell in love with Baby Girl’s playful personality.
“Having her in our home is a joy,” Morrison shared with OCAS on Facebook. “The longer she stays, the more we see just how silly and happy she is. She’s such a goofball!”
The Adoption Event That Left Her Heartbroken
OCAS decided to showcase Baby Girl at their big adoption event in May 2024, hoping she would finally find her forever family. The shelter was buzzing with excitement with 58 dogs finding new homes that weekend! But sadly, Baby Girl wasn’t one of them.
As potential adopters walked by her kennel, Baby Girl watched them leave with other dogs. Not a single person stopped to say hello to her. She was heartbroken. By the end of the event, she returned to her foster home feeling more defeated than ever.
“No one is lining up for this sweet girl. No one is fighting to adopt her. It’s truly heartbreaking,” OCAS wrote in a heartfelt social media post.
The Foster Who Became Family
Just when Baby Girl thought her chance at happiness had slipped away, something amazing happened. Her foster mom, Su Morrison, realized that she couldn’t let Baby Girl go. After months of caring for her, Su knew that Baby Girl already had a family—hers.
On June 11, 2024, Su officially adopted Baby Girl, making her a permanent part of the family. Now, Baby Girl spends her days going on walks, enjoying car rides, and soaking up all the love she deserves.
Despite being overlooked at the adoption event, she found her perfect match right where she had always been—in the heart of her foster mom. Now, Baby Girl is living out her senior years surrounded by the love and care she had been searching for all along. “Another foster fail, another happy dog,” Su joyfully commented on Facebook, summing up the story with a happy ending for Baby Girl.
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