Just imagine the immense sadness Drogo likely experienced when he was brought back just a week after adoption, following a 500-day stay at the shelter.

For many shelter dogs, days turn into years as they patiently wait for the warmth of a loving home. 

Some dogs find their forever homes quite quickly, while others, just like Drogo, have to endure extended periods of uncertainty, hoping for a chance at a brighter future. 

Living within the confines of four kennel walls is certainly an improvement over life on the streets. However, the monotony of seeing the same four walls for over two years is sure to affect the well-being of any delicate, furry being.

Heartbreaking Story

The American Pitbull Terrier named Drogo arrived at the Austin Animal Center after his owner was evicted. 

The owner was supposed to come back and claim him, but he never did, so the poor dog began his search for a forever home.

Days, weeks, and months passed, but not a single person came around that wanted to adopt him. The other dogs arrived at the shelter and quickly went away, but not Drogo – he always stayed. 

Soon, Drogo became the shelter’s longest resident, and although all the volunteers and staff loved him dearly, they wanted nothing more than to find him a good home. 

“I know you shouldn’t play favorites… but Drogo is my favorite. He thinks he’s a lapdog, and we haven’t had the heart to tell him otherwise. Drogo is house-trained, doesn’t bark much, and did well with my 6-year-old son. He’s a friend to every person he meets and quickly became a volunteer favorite. Drogo has been in the shelter for a year now, one of the longest stay dogs, and is so ready to have a home of his own,” said Jessica, one of the volunteers at the ACC. 

Then, one day, it finally happened… this beautiful boy who waited so long at the shelter was finally adopted. 

However, it appeared that it wasn’t meant to be because only a week later, he was sadly returned to the shelter. 

Drogo was heartbroken as well as everyone at the Austin Animal Center. 

“We are all crushed that Drogo was returned to the shelter so quickly. He was one of the longest stay dogs at the shelter, and now he’s back again. He’s devastated. It’s not fair,” one of the shelter workers wrote on TikTok. 

After waiting for so long, he wasn’t even given a proper chance.

@goodboygonehome We are all crushed that Drogo was returned to the shelter so quickly. He was one of the longest stay dogs at the shelter and now he’s back again. He’s devastated. It’s not fair. #austinanimalcenter #austinanimalshelter #longstay #adoptme #pitbulllove #pitbullsoftiktok #returned #shelterdog ♬ original sound – Dog Tales Rescue

Finally, A Happy Ending 

Thankfully, the shelter did not give up on him, and they worked even harder in finding Drogo a forever home. 

The videos that the shelter posted got thousands of views, and several magazines around the country wrote an article about him, but still, no one came to adopt Drogo. 

They just couldn’t understand it because he was such a good boy. 

“He’s house-trained, loves walks, and is so sweet. Someone please take him home!” the worker said in one of her videos. 

There simply wasn’t any interest in adopting him. 

@goodboygonehome 74 pets found forever homes today at the annual Clear the Shelters event. So happy for all of them! Sadly, Drogo wasn’t one of them. He’s still waiting for his own family @Austin Animal Center #cleartheshelters #austinanimalcenter #austinanimalshelter #longstay #adoptme #pitbullsoftiktok #pitbulllove #shelterdog #dogsoftiktok #animalshelter ♬ original sound – sweetsaudioz

Drogo then celebrated his 4th birthday, and also his 550th day at the shelter. 

A volunteer decided to throw him a birthday party. They all had one wish for him – to finally get adopted, but this time, truly forever. 

“It must have been a good luck charm because Drogo was ADOPTED today after 500+ days in the shelter,” the shelter wrote in their Facebook post. 

Drogo, you sweet boy… you didn’t deserve to wait that long, and you certainly didn’t deserve all the heartbreak. 

But, you now have (hopefully) a forever home and a person who will be able to mend your broken heart. 

Enjoy the rest of your life!