Abandoned Dog Now Lives the Best Life!

Odie, an American Eskimo dog, went from being abandoned at a shelter to living a joyful life with his forever family, as seen in a viral TikTok video. Earlier this year, Odie and another dog were surrendered to a shelter because their owners were moving and couldn’t take them along. Odie, an 8-year-old dog with severe anxiety and no neutering, had slim chances of being adopted—until Caroline Lapano saw his photo online.

Caroline, a Pennsylvania resident, had recently lost her beloved American Eskimo dog, Lulu, just before Christmas. Devastated by Lulu’s loss, she and her fiancé Zach vowed that their next dog would be a rescue. Caroline believes that Lulu guided them to Odie, and in February, they drove to the shelter to meet him. The connection was instant, and they knew they couldn’t leave without him.

Odie’s story mirrors the reality faced by many shelter animals. According to the ASPCA, 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters annually, with 3.1 million of them being dogs. While 2 million dogs find new homes each year, millions more await adoption. Despite these numbers, only 23 percent of dog owners choose to adopt from shelters, with 34 percent opting for breeders.

Odie’s transition to his new home has been transformative. Caroline shares that Odie has blossomed, displaying a vibrant personality and forming a deep bond with his new family. From energetic zoomies to cozy couch cuddles, Odie’s life is now filled with love and happiness.

Odie’s joyful adventures, including a popular TikTok video of him enjoying a pool day, have captured the hearts of many, garnering over 320,000 views and 35,200 likes.

We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to only adopt instead of shopping and use this amazing pet adoption search tool by WildWatchers to find shelter animals near you!

Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal.

Please sign this petition to demand accountability for a Florida couple who abandoned their dog in a hot car!

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• #AdoptDontShop! Shelter Dog Adopted after 866 Days

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