Mona, a lovable Staffordshire Terrier with an affectionate heart, has endured an incredibly difficult journey in her search for a permanent home. Her story is a poignant tale of hope, resilience, and an unwavering desire for a family that will embrace her unconditionally. Despite her gentle and loving nature, Mona has faced numerous obstacles, making her quest for a forever home both challenging and heartbreaking. Through all her trials, she has shown an extraordinary capacity for love and loyalty, but the right family to cherish her has remained elusive.
Mona’s story began in 2017 when she was just five years old. Her original family, who had raised her since she was a puppy, was forced to make the difficult decision to surrender her to a shelter. They were moving and, due to circumstances beyond their control, couldn’t take Mona with them. It was a devastating moment for Mona, who suddenly found herself in an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by strangers and other dogs, after spending her entire life in a loving home.
For the first few weeks, Mona struggled to adjust to her new surroundings. The shelter staff noticed that she was a bit timid and shy, often retreating to the back of her kennel when potential adopters came to visit. It was clear that the transition was tough for her, but even in those early days, her gentle and loving personality began to shine through. The staff at The Animal Foundation, a well-known animal shelter in Las Vegas, quickly fell in love with Mona. Despite her shyness, she was always sweet and affectionate with those who took the time to get to know her.
Mona’s first glimmer of hope came after she had spent 420 long days at the shelter. Finally, it seemed like her time had come – a family showed interest in her and decided to adopt her. The shelter staff were overjoyed, believing that Mona had finally found her forever home. But their happiness was short-lived. The very next day, Mona was brought back to the shelter. The reason? The other dogs in the household didn’t get along with her. Heartbroken but resilient, Mona returned to the shelter, her dreams of a permanent home dashed once again.
The shelter staff were determined not to lose hope. They knew that Mona had so much love to give and that the right family was out there somewhere. Remarkably, Mona was adopted again the following day. It seemed like fate had intervened to give her another chance. However, in a cruel twist of fate, she was returned to the shelter once more. This time, it wasn’t because of Mona’s behavior or any issues with the other pets – the family’s youngest daughter turned out to be allergic to her. Mona’s return to the shelter was devastating for the staff, who had grown so attached to her.
“She was returned through no fault of her own, and that’s what makes it even more emotional,” said Brenda Arceo, the adoption manager at The Animal Foundation. In an interview with The Dodo, she shared how Mona’s return broke the hearts of everyone at the shelter. “When we first saw her come back into the intake area, she was actually very happy and wagging her tail. But once she realized that she was back where she was, she kind of sat down and looked sad.” It was clear that Mona recognized her surroundings and understood that she was back in the place she had hoped to leave behind for good.
Mona’s resilience and capacity for love, despite everything she had been through, deeply touched the shelter staff. Over time, she became a beloved fixture at The Animal Foundation. Though she remained shy and a bit reserved, those who took the time to get to know her discovered a dog with a heart of gold. “She’s a little shy and timid when you first meet her, but once she gets to know you, she definitely comes around,” Arceo shared. “She loves getting kisses and is incredibly affectionate once she feels comfortable.”
Despite her sweet and loving nature, Mona’s shyness often worked against her when potential adopters visited the shelter. She had a tendency to hide in the backyard portion of her kennel, away from the main viewing area, making it easy for people to overlook her. “She tends to be a little reserved and hides, so people don’t ask to take her out,” Arceo explained. This behavior, combined with her age and appearance, led to some visitors making hurtful comments. The staff heard people say that Mona was “too old,” “not affectionate enough,” or “not pretty,” remarks that broke their hearts.
Kelly Leahy, the communications manager for The Animal Foundation, was particularly affected by these comments. “We tried to refute those myths in short videos on Facebook,” Leahy said. “We show her being affectionate and wonderful, and looking active and certainly not like an old dog.” The shelter’s efforts to highlight Mona’s true personality have been ongoing, as they remain determined to find her the perfect home.
Mona has now been surrendered three times, each time through no fault of her own. This has only strengthened the resolve of the shelter staff to ensure that her next adoptive family is her forever one. Mona deserves a home where she will be loved unconditionally, where her shyness will be met with patience and understanding, and where she can finally feel secure.
“She would do well with an active family since she enjoys walks,” Arceo suggested. “It would obviously have to be a family with no other dogs, as she’s selective about her canine companions. The last family had small kids, and she loved them, so we believe she would thrive in a home with children.” Mona’s love for kids and her gentle nature make her an ideal companion for a family willing to give her the time she needs to adjust.
Shockingly, this is not the first time she has faced animal cruelty charges; she has a past conviction for similar crimes. We must ensure that no more animals suffer or die in her care!
The Animal Foundation is certain that the right family is out there for Mona. They know that whoever decides to open their heart and home to her will be rewarded with unconditional love and loyalty. “She’s so loving, and she wants to be loved,” Arceo said. “That’s my favorite part about her. She’s a wonderful dog, and she definitely deserves a loving family.”
Could you be the one to give Mona the forever home she so desperately deserves? Or do you know someone in the Las Vegas area who would be the perfect match for her? Mona’s story is one of resilience, love, and hope, and she’s waiting for the day when she can finally leave the shelter behind for good. If you think you could be the family she’s been waiting for, visit her adoption page to learn more and take the first step in changing her life forever.
Please ‘SHARE’ to pass on this story to a friend or family member
Click ‘SHARE’ below to pass it on to a friend or family member!
The post Shelter’s Sweetest Resident Has Been Waiting 400 Days for a Family appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.