National

5 times dogs found new homes after ending up in shelters. See their stories

Stories by Real-Time News journalists, with AI summarization

A spunky senior Yorkie named Teddy found the perfect match after patiently waiting at a Florida shelter, despite his cataracts and missing teeth. In Pennsylvania, Max the sweet dog was reunited with an old friend after his heartbreaking story went viral on TikTok, leading to a joyful adoption.

Take a look at the stories below.

A 10-year-old Yorkie was adopted after “patiently waiting” at a Florida shelter. Screengrab from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay on Facebook

NO. 1: ‘SPUNKY AND FUN’ SENIOR SHELTER DOG NEEDED A NEW OWNER. THEN CAME THE ‘PERFECT’ MATCH

The loving pup was “patiently waiting” for a home, a Florida shelter said. | Published June 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Max sits in the corner of the Pennsylvania shelter, the TikTok shows Screen grab from @sarahbrown701's TikTok video

NO. 2: PUP WOULDN’T EAT AFTER HIS RETURN TO SHELTER — THEN AN OLD FRIEND SAW HIM ON TIKTOK

Max was “terrified and heartbroken” after returning to the Pennsylvania shelter eight years after being adopted as a puppy. | Published July 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by TJ Macias

Dog best friends Rellie, left, and Boone were adopted into the same home. Greenville Humane Society

NO. 3: DOG BEST FRIENDS SPENT MONTHS IN SC SHELTER. NOW, THEY GET A SECOND CHANCE — TOGETHER

A family came to adopt one of the pups — then fell for her best friend, too. | Published October 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

This little meatball head is no longer up for adoption. Photo screen grab from Helping Hands Humane Society's Facebook post

NO. 4: DOG WHO LOOKS ‘LIKE SOMEONE SQUISHED A BULLFROG INTO A MEATBALL’ GETS A FAMILY

Adding to the cuteness? The Kansas shelter says he also “snorts like a freight train with allergies.” | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by TJ Macias

Buu the dog got a new home months after Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina. Asheville Humane Society

NO. 5: SHELTER WORKER ENDURED ‘SO MUCH LOSS’ AFTER HELENE. THEN CAME TOUCHING ADOPTION

The “affectionate” North Carolina dog had been living in isolation because she was sick. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.