Why not just put him to sleep, I ask?
When the matter of Higgins came up, that was the theme Leslie Renner, executive director of The Humane Society of Preble County in Ohio, kept hearing. The senior German shepherd who had been at the shelter for a while had spent practically his entire life behind bars, but Renner wasn’t ready to give up on him.
More significantly, Higgins didn’t want to give up on trying to find a place to call home.
Higgins came to the shelter as a young puppy, where he was adopted immediately. However, life in his first home was far from ideal. In 2012, Higgins found his way back to the shelter.
“We heard he was nothing more than a dog chained up to a dog house,” Renner told The Dodo. “About a year later, someone walked in with a stray dog — and it was him.”
“Nobody ever came looking for him,” she added, “nobody ever cared.”
Higgins’ adoption options were constrained since he felt most comfortable alone, away from other animals. Higgins was repeatedly passed over by Renner, despite her knowledge that she only needed to wait until the appropriate candidate presented themselves.
According to Renner, “people are seeking for pups or dogs that are 6 months old.” He was a year old, then two, then three when he returned.
Considering Higgins had spent so much time in the shelter, prospective adopters believed he was ill. Otherwise, why would he remain there year after year?
He was a touch terrifying when he was in his kennel because of the perpetually troubled expression on his face, according to Renner. People simply ignored him.
Then, on Higgin’s 2,381 day in the shelter, Brendon Reed walked in and said, “I’m here to take Higgins home.”
Renner was shocked.
The 22-year-old had just bought his first home, and after seeing Higgin’s photo online and hearing his story, Reed knew Higgins was the only dog for him. “He was just a beautiful dog,” Reed told The Dodo. “He just seemed so cute … I don’t know how he didn’t get adopted.”
Higgins is now enjoying napping on the couch, watching TV, roaming around his own backyard, and rolling in the grass after six and a half years.
Higgins is discovering what it means to have a dad who loves him and who constantly makes him feel safe and loved, apart from the pressures of shelter life.
“He is just so happy, it’s kind of crazy,” Reed said. “He just likes to chillax.”
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