13 years of waiting ends with rescued senior dog finding its forever home: 'He's my pal'

After waiting for over a decade, a senior dog finally meets his loving adopter who is now its best friend.

UPDATED JAN 3, 2025

A dog out for a walk with its owner (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Matthew Barra)

Adopting a dog isn’t just bringing a pet into your home—it’s like giving a loyal companion a second chance at happiness. Whether you are looking for a playful pup to join your adventures or a loving friend to curl up at night, adoption creates a lifelong bond you will treasure forever. Similarly, Vito, a senior dog at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, found its forever home after waiting for 13 long years. The adorable pooch spent a few years at the shelter system before moving to the animal sanctuary, as reported by PEOPLE.

A dog sitting on grass field (Representative Image Source : Pexels | Lukáš Kováčik)

From the beginning, the team at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary made it clear—they would care for Vito, no matter what, whether it found an adopter or not. After spending a decade at the sanctuary, Vito was unable to find a patient and loving owner. But everything changed once, Casey Black came into the picture. Following his first visit to the Animal rescue center, Black joined in as a volunteer which finally led him to Vito. He instantly felt a connection since the dog resembled one of his previous dogs.

A dog with a blue belt on its neck (Representative Image Source : Michael Morse)

"I travel quite a bit, and in the spring, I was down through Texas, then driving around Kanab, and saw a sign for the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. I thought, 'Well, I'm going to check that place out,'" he shared with the outlet. The animal sanctuary informed Black about Vito's biting behavior and that they needed an experienced pet parent for it. To everyone's delight, the man had all the qualities the rescue center was looking for—Black was a perfect match. Notably, he had started the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Center in British Columbia and served there for years.

A man holding a little puppy (Representative Image Source : Pexels | SHVETS production)

To build a stronger bond with Vito, Black visited him multiple times at the rescue center, took it on camping trips and sleepovers before finally adopting the dog. "I went out and camped just out in the desert; there's no one around. He (Vito) stayed close and listened well but still had a lot of trust issues. It took probably over two months before I could really pet him on the back," he revealed.

A blind man taking his dog for a walk (Representative Image Source: Pexels | MART PRODUCTION)

However, over time, they both grew fond of each other and became inseparable. He shared that Vito loves going for walks and watching it hop around is too funny. "I love this dog. He's had a huge impact on me. He's my best friend. He's my pal. He goes everywhere and sticks real close to me because I'm sure he feels the same way. He's just such a good dog. I wish I could have got him earlier. And people can't believe he's 13 years old."

A black dog running (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Brixiv )

Meanwhile, in another adoption story, Nicole Renae reunited with her childhood dog, Chloe, after years of separating from it. When she was 14, her father’s new work-from-home job meant they had to give up Chloe because of noise concerns. Heartbroken, they sent the dog to a humane society. Years later, Renae, married with a child, decided to adopt a dog for her daughter, only to discover a Facebook post about a senior dog named Chloe. After their first meeting, she was convinced it was her old friend. With the help of Chloe’s microchip, the mystery was solved—she was reunited with her long-lost buddy. Notably, Chloe had been passed through several homes but was now back with Renae, bringing immense joy to her and her family.