‘Gentle and goofy’ shelter dog spent 300 days waiting for home. Then came good news
%20A005468762_fitted.jpeg "Cooper the dog was adopted after more than 300 days of waiting for a home.")
A “gentle and goofy” shelter dog spent more than 300 days in need of a home — then came good news.
Cooper was finally adopted, ending his nearly one-year wait in Virginia.
“Our beloved Cooper had his adoption finalized,” the Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) wrote Sept. 13 on Facebook. “This is a celebration 319 days in the making, and we’re so thrilled for Cooper and his forever family.”
The heartwarming update came after Cooper arrived at the SPCA in October. He was transferred from a different facility and likely lived outside for most of his life, Matt Wurzburger, digital media specialist for the shelter, told McClatchy News via email.
“Cooper became a favorite of everyone at the VBSPCA very quickly,” Wurzburger wrote. “He has a very gentle and goofy demeanor and spent most of the day lounging around and taking naps.”
As the months passed, Cooper became the SPCA’s longest resident. The shelter said it often takes longer for older dogs to be matched with owners, so Cooper’s age could have contributed to him being overlooked.
The 7-year-old mixed-breed pup was known for being friendly toward other canines, as he spent time around a senior dog, “wiggly and energetic puppies, and just about everything else in between.” He also loved walks and let out “booming” barks when he thought it was time to go out.
“While he may look and occasionally act like a grumpy old man, he’s a sweet goofball at his core,” the shelter wrote in a past social media post.
Eventually, Cooper landed at a foster home, where a family wanted to test how he would interact with their other dog. The family “fell in love with him” and decided to adopt three months later.
“Cooper’s adoption was certainly cause for celebration, but it also had been coming for quite some time,” Wurzburger wrote. “So it wasn’t that overwhelming and sudden emotional release that you often get when long-term residents go home.”
This story was originally published September 17, 2024 at 10:19 AM with the headline "‘Gentle and goofy’ shelter dog spent 300 days waiting for home. Then came good news."
