Man Broke Down Into Tears After Finding Out He Could Keep His Foster Dog Forever

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Knowing from the start that a foster dog’s stay is temporary doesn’t make it any easier to avoid forming an emotional connection. It doesn’t take much time to become completely enamored with a dog. Therefore, when the man received the wonderful news that he could officially adopt his foster dog, his overwhelming joy moved him to tears.

Mary, along with her adorable siblings, entered the world two years ago within the confines of a shelter. They relied on humans to nourish them with bottle-feeding during their tender early days. When they reached the age of eight weeks, they were deemed ready to embark on their journeys with loving adoptive families. The rescue organization diligently reviewed numerous applications, ensuring that each pup found a forever home to call their own.

However, after a year and a half had passed, the rescue received a disheartening phone call from another shelter. They were informed that one of the dogs from Mary’s litter had returned to their care. A profound sense of sadness and concern engulfed their hearts as they anxiously wondered which furry companion had found their way back to the shelter’s doors.

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Terri, the compassionate founder of Foxy and the Hounds Rescue, vividly recounted the distressing state in which one particular dog arrived. “She came out completely head down. She had scars on her nose, flystrike on her ears. They had wrapped her tail because she had chewed it to the bone. She just looked defeated,” Terri recalled, her voice filled with empathy.

Animal shelters diligently follow a series of meticulous steps to ensure that dogs find loving and responsible families. They thoroughly review applications, arrange meet and greets, and conduct home checks. However, people’s actions can sometimes be unpredictable, defying our expectations.

“Just the mere thought of it still weighs heavily on me. It’s difficult to fathom that I placed one of my rescues in a home where she was neglected,” Terri shared, her words tinged with a mix of regret and sadness.

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However, when Mary was finally reunited with the woman who had nurtured her and fed her from a bottle, a remarkable transformation occurred. The gloom that clouded her spirit dissipated, replaced by a newfound radiance. The sheer joy of seeing her caregiver again emanated from Mary’s every fiber. Following this heartwarming reunion, Mary embarked on a new chapter in her life, entering the foster home of Doug and his wife, Michelle.

At first, Doug was resolute in his determination not to form an emotional attachment. He emphasized that Mary was “just a foster” and adamantly declared they would not succumb to a “foster fail.” Yet, history seemed to conspire against his resolve. Their family had already welcomed two dogs as fosters who had eventually become permanent members.

Mary seamlessly integrated into their family dynamics, fitting in effortlessly. It quickly became evident that a profound bond had formed between Mary and Doug. Recognizing her husband’s deep affection for Mary, Doug’s wife, Michelle, decided to orchestrate an extraordinarily special surprise for Christmas—an occasion that would forever hold a cherished place in their hearts.

After sharing the delightful news with the shelter, Doug’s wife took another step to seal the bond between Mary and their family. She carefully wrapped a dog tag bearing Mary’s name and their home address, placing it beneath the twinkling branches of their Christmas tree.

As Doug eagerly unwrapped his gift and comprehended its profound significance, tears welled up in his eyes. Overwhelmed with sheer happiness, he realized that Mary was destined to become a permanent and cherished member of their family.

To witness the entirety of Mary’s touching journey and experience Doug’s overwhelming joy firsthand, you can watch the video below. It captures the heartwarming moments that encapsulate Mary’s story and the deep emotional connection forged between Doug and his newfound furry companion.