When Chase arrived at Patty Baker Humane Society Naples in November 2023, he was ready for a fresh start. He’d been pulled from a rural shelter where he’d been overlooked, and his rescuers were excited to help him get the attention he deserved.

“He was a big, goofy, lovable guy who just needed someone to give him a chance,” Becca Morris, CEO of Patty Baker Humane Society Naples, told The Dodo. “We were happy to be that place for him.”

Everyone hoped Chase would find a home quickly — but life had other plans.

A month after Chase arrived at the rescue, he had a seizure. He was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and prescribed medication, which immediately got his condition under control. He also struggled with chronic ear infections that led to his right ear canal being removed, leaving him with hearing loss.

None of this affected Chase’s personality or spirit. He was still the same dog he’d always been. Unfortunately, potential adopters didn’t see it that way.

“Honestly, we think the seizure diagnosis scared people,” Morris said. “Epilepsy sounds intimidating when you’ve never dealt with it, even though Chase’s seizures were completely controlled. The ear surgeries and hearing loss probably added to the hesitation. And big dogs in our community already face longer stays because of HOA restrictions on breeds and weight limits. Chase had a lot working against him on paper, but none of it reflected who he actually was.”

All of this led to Chase waiting a long, long time for a family: Over 700 days.

Luckily, while in the rescue’s care, Chase got to participate in their Rescue Recess program, where volunteers take dogs out into the community on field trips. Chase became one of the program’s all-stars, reminding everyone just how special he was.

“[T]hose outings kept his tail wagging,” Morris said. “He got to go on adventures, meet new people and just be a dog. He never stopped being hopeful, never stopped greeting people with that big goofy smile.”

Rescue Recess was the lifeline that kept Chase going during those 700 days — and it’s also what led him to finally find his forever home.

Chase’s new mom met him through Rescue Recess and immediately fell in love with him. When she found out about his seizure disorder, she wasn’t scared. In fact, she understood it perfectly.

“His adopter had cared for a dog with epilepsy before, so she wasn’t scared off by his diagnosis,” Morris said. “She actually runs a clinic that focuses on headaches and seizures for people, so it felt like the perfect match.”

Chase is now thriving in his new home. He’s being spoiled rotten and loves belly rubs, and together he and his mom are working through any challenges that come up. It was a long road, but it was definitely worth the wait.