Joey is a special pit bull mix dog. Everyone he meets instantly falls in love with him. Without knowing the exact logical reason, the 5-year-old senior had to spend more than 500 days in a shelter. When his forever family appeared, the staff members decided to send him off to his dream life in the most magnificent way possible.
“The staff always wanted to make sure the shelter dogs knew how loved they were, so a special send-off was started by us so the dogs knew how much they meant to us and to make them feel happy about going to their new home,” Kimberly LaRussa, Sweet Buffalo to the Rescue founder said.
And most importantly, it came to one of their longest residents, the goodbye party needed to be extra special.
“We wanted to give Joey a relaxing and calm send-off, so we thought we could put some leis on him as a sign of friendship and give him treats,” LaRussa said. “It was really beautiful to see him with all the lies he accumulated towards the end of the send-off.”
When he arrived there as a former stray no one expected to see him for more than a year in the shelter. But he was overlooked with no potential adoption interest. At that time, he adjusted to life in the shelter the best he could.
“He was very much loved by the former staff and volunteers. But as time went on, we could tell he longed for something more than we could give him … a nice warm bed, cuddles at night, his own people to love him.” LaRussa said.
LaRussa saw the sad pup in the Kennel and decided to show this pittie to the world by posting a video on social media. Suddenly, interest poured in. but one couple, in particular, Daryl Koczaja and Melissa Leuer, came out on top.
“I remember watching his videos over and over while crying and thinking to myself, ‘Someone needs to help this poor baby,’” Leuer said. “Little did I know, it would be us.”
Then LaRusso set up a meeting with the potential adopters and there was an instant connection. “He ran straight to Daryl and gave him tons of kisses. We just felt like he was meant to be with us like he was waiting there the whole time till we were ready for him.”
Now he needs a few days to warm up to his new life. And he is still as wonderful as the day they adopted him.
“[He’s] brought so much laughter and happiness into our house. We look forward to making many more memories with him and giving him the perfect life he has always deserved. We truly couldn’t ask for a better dog!”
