Animal shelters are designed to be a stop along the way, a safe place until a dog can find a family. But for some dogs, that short stop turns into years.
Lucia was one of them. She spent eleven years at Villalobos Rescue Center in Louisiana, watching other dogs get adopted while she remained in the same familiar surroundings.
Even with time passing, Lucia kept going. She stayed steady and hopeful, as if she still believed the right person would eventually see her.
She just did not expect that the person who would change everything had been beside her for years.
A Long Wait
Lucia arrived at Villalobos Rescue Center when she was about a year old.
Staff welcomed her and focused on helping her settle in, especially since they believed she may have had a difficult start before coming to the rescue.
One of the people who got to know her was Liz Scollo, a dog trainer at the shelter. Over time, Scollo struggled to understand why Lucia kept being passed over.
The team made consistent efforts to find her a home. They shared her story online and brought her along to adoption events, hoping she would connect with a family.
Still, she was repeatedly overlooked. Scollo suspected Lucia’s discomfort around other dogs may have made some adopters hesitate, even though she had so much love to give.
Years continued to pass, and Lucia stayed. Then the situation shifted in a way no one expected.
After more than a decade of caring for her and watching her wait, Scollo realized their bond had grown into something deeper. She decided Lucia would not have to wait any longer, and she chose to adopt her herself.
When Lucia finally understood she was leaving the shelter for good, it was a huge moment.
She said goodbye to the people who had cared for her over the years and stepped into a new life that had been out of reach for far too long.
Discovering Life Beyond The Kennel
Lucia’s first days in her new home were full of energy and curiosity. She explored each room, sniffed corners she had never known existed, and climbed onto couches like she had always belonged there.
After eleven years in a kennel environment, even the simplest comforts were new.
Now in New York, Lucia is about twelve and a half years old, but she acts younger than anyone expected. She enjoys the yard, moves with new confidence, and makes the most of her time with Scollo, especially when it is time to settle in for close, cozy cuddles at night.
Scollo hopes Lucia’s story encourages people to look at senior dogs differently. Older dogs still have plenty of joy and companionship to offer, and they deserve the chance to be chosen too.
Thanks to one person who refused to let her be overlooked again, Lucia’s long wait is finally over.
