Shelter Dog Refuses To Leave Without Giving All Staff Members Goodbye Kisses

Introducing Jax, a long-term resident of the Regina Humane Society who had been eagerly seeking a forever home, but was repeatedly overlooked by prospective adopters. Despite Jax’s exceptional qualities, his kennel remained unoccupied, leaving the staff at the shelter disheartened. However, they remained determined to fulfill Jax’s wish of finding a loving home.

Upon Jax’s arrival at the shelter, his background was not extensively disclosed, but it was evident that he had not received affection in a while. The Director of the Regina Humane Society, Bill Thorn, recounted Jax’s condition upon arrival as being noticeably emaciated, suggesting that he may have been without a home for some time. To remedy this, the shelter provided Jax with the necessary nutrition to sustain his well-being.

Shortly after Jax’s arrival at the shelter, the veterinary team conducted a thorough medical evaluation and cleared him for adoption. However, a few days after his adoption listing was published, Jax was diagnosed with pneumonia, causing him to be taken off the list and placed under intensive care.

Following several weeks of treatment, Jax regained his health, and his caretakers at the humane society resumed efforts to find him a home. Despite repeated attempts, however, there was still no interest in adopting Jax. The staff suspected that Jax’s loud barking whenever someone approached his kennel might be off-putting to potential adopters.

According to Bill Thorn, the Director of the Regina Humane Society, Jax was not being aggressive, but rather displaying symptoms of “barrier frustration,” as he longed to interact with visitors, yet was prevented from doing so by the physical barrier of his kennel. Thorn explained that Jax was a friendly dog who simply craved human interaction, but his behavior was often misinterpreted by visitors.

In an attempt to address Jax’s barrier frustration and showcase his gentle nature, the staff placed a sign on his kennel explaining his behavior and highlighting his friendly demeanor. Despite their efforts, however, Jax remained overlooked by potential adopters, prompting the staff to explore alternative solutions.

Director Bill Thorn described how they brought Jax to the shelter’s front reception area, enabling him to interact with visitors and demonstrate his true character. During this time, Jax became a beloved figure among the staff, who were eager to find him a permanent home.

Despite their best efforts to promote Jax, he remained in the shelter for an extended period, significantly longer than the average stay for dogs at the Regina Humane Society. With each passing day, the staff grew increasingly fond of Jax, going to great lengths to attract prospective adopters, yet, to no avail.

According to Director Bill Thorn, Jax’s stay at the shelter was made more comfortable due to his sponsorship, which covered his adoption fees. Despite this incentive, however, Jax remained unadopted until his fortuitous encounter with a man experienced in caring for large dogs, who promptly fell in love with Jax.

On March 3, 2023, Jax’s long-awaited dream was fulfilled when he found his forever home. In honor of his departure from the shelter, the staff organized a special send-off for Jax, gathering in the front area to bid him farewell. What they didn’t anticipate was Jax’s heartfelt goodbye to each member of the staff, making his departure all the more emotional.

As Jax prepared to leave the shelter, he took it upon himself to show gratitude to each of his caretakers, bidding them farewell with a kiss. Overwhelmed with joy at the prospect of starting a new life with his forever family, Jax eagerly expressed his appreciation for the staff’s unwavering dedication in helping him find his perfect match.

As Jax made his way to the end of the line, he was greeted by his new dad, who embraced him warmly, causing Jax to melt into his arms. The poignant scene was a testament to the bond that had formed between Jax and his caretakers at the Regina Humane Society, as well as the new chapter in his life that awaited him.

Although the staff at the Regina Humane Society felt a sense of sadness upon Jax’s departure, they quickly realized that their farewell was more akin to a “see you later.” Since his adoption, Jax and his dad have returned to the shelter several times to embrace their former caretakers warmly.

Outside of the shelter, Jax continues to make new friends on walks and relishes in cozy moments at home with his doting dad. Although Jax’s lengthy stay at the shelter lingers in the minds of Director Bill Thorn and his team, they take solace in knowing that their efforts were rewarded by finding Jax the perfect home.

As Thorn succinctly puts it, “It may have taken some time, but ultimately, we were able to match Jax with the right person, and that’s what it’s all about.”