Emerald’s story is one of endurance, hope, and an unwavering quest for a loving home. After being rescued from appalling and neglectful conditions, this sweet 8-year-old boxer mix has spent the past five years at The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project shelter, patiently waiting for a family to call her own. Despite the heartbreaking challenges she’s faced, Emerald continues to remain hopeful. Her caretakers are equally optimistic, believing that her forever home is out there and that her long-awaited happy ending could be just around the corner, ready to transform her life.
Emerald’s story began in 2019 when she was rescued by The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, a nonprofit animal rescue organization in Warren, Ohio. She had been living in what were described as “horrible” and “disgusting” conditions. The details of her past life paint a heartbreaking picture of neglect and suffering. When rescuers found her, she was suffering from severe skin conditions, had nails that had grown far too long, and was covered in urine. According to reports from WOIO, her owners couldn’t even afford the medication to treat her skin allergies, leading to her eventual surrender to the shelter.
Despite the circumstances of her past, Emerald’s life has improved significantly at The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project. The shelter provides her with proper medical care, nutritious meals, and love from the dedicated volunteers. However, life in the shelter is not the same as having a forever family. For five years, Emerald has waited patiently, longing for the day when she will finally leave the shelter behind and find a permanent, loving home.
Over the years, Emerald’s journey to find a home hasn’t been without its challenges. She’s been adopted twice, but sadly, neither home proved to be the right fit for her. Each time, she was returned to the shelter. While this has been disheartening, it hasn’t dimmed the hope of the shelter staff, who believe that the right family is still out there for Emerald. The shelter shared her story on Facebook last year, writing, “Emerald has seen many seasons come and go at the shelter over the years, and it shows on her face. She longs for attention and loves getting walked by volunteers… She is still waiting on her forever home.”
One of the reasons Emerald has had a harder time finding the right home is that, like many rescue dogs, she requires a family that understands her needs and can give her the time and patience she deserves. The shelter staff describes Emerald as a dog who needs time to warm up to new people. But once she feels comfortable and chooses you as a friend, her loyalty is unmatched. “If she picks you as a friend, she’ll be by your side until the end,” they wrote.
Emerald’s ideal home is one where she can feel safe and loved. She thrives in an environment where there’s a routine and structure. She does well with cats, but she isn’t a fit for homes with small children. While she enjoys being around people, she is “selective” when it comes to interacting with other dogs, meaning she would do best as the only dog in the household or with carefully selected dog companions. Her new family will need to be understanding of these needs and willing to work with her to ensure she’s comfortable and happy.
Despite her selective nature around other dogs, Emerald has many qualities that make her an amazing companion. She’s both potty trained and leash trained, two crucial qualities that make her ready to transition into a new home without the added stress of basic training. Her shelter team describes her as a “people pleaser” who loves to sit on command, especially when there’s the promise of a treat. Emerald enjoys her time outdoors, especially when she’s on walks with the volunteers at the shelter. The volunteers often speak about how happy she seems when she’s out in the fresh air, away from the confines of the shelter, soaking up the attention and affection she so craves.
Living in a shelter for five years has been hard on Emerald, both emotionally and physically. The stress of waiting for so long is evident in the way her face has aged over the years, and while the shelter does everything it can to make her comfortable, it’s clear that she longs for a home. The shelter has been a safe haven for her, but it isn’t the same as having a permanent family. Emerald deserves a quiet home where she can relax and feel secure, surrounded by people who love and understand her.
Emerald’s journey is a reminder of the many challenges that shelter dogs face, especially those who have experienced trauma and neglect in their past. Dogs like Emerald often take longer to find homes because they require extra patience and understanding. Yet, they have so much love to give once they feel safe and secure. The shelter staff believes that there’s a family out there who will see past Emerald’s tough exterior and recognize the loving, loyal dog she is on the inside.
Over the years, Emerald has endured so much, from living in squalor to spending most of her life in a shelter. Yet, she remains resilient. Despite the odds, she continues to wait with the hope that one day, someone will come for her. While it’s been a long journey, the team at The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project is determined to see Emerald’s story have the happy ending she deserves. They remain hopeful that soon, someone will see what they see in her — a loyal, sweet dog who just needs a chance to thrive.
For now, Emerald continues to enjoy the simple pleasures of shelter life — walks with volunteers, treats for good behavior, and the occasional cuddle with the people she trusts. But what she really longs for is a family to call her own, a place where she can finally relax and enjoy the love and attention she’s been waiting for all these years.
Emerald’s story isn’t just about the hardships she’s faced; it’s about hope, patience, and the belief that every dog deserves a second chance. With the right family, her next chapter could finally be the one where she gets to live the life she’s always deserved — a life filled with love, security, and a forever home. The team at The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project believes that day is coming soon, and they’re not giving up on finding Emerald the perfect family to give her that long-awaited happy ending.
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