Deaf Dog Who Was Shelter's Longest Resident Finally Adopted After 753 Days

Every day that a dog spends in a shelter is one too many, but after spending 753 days waiting to be adopted, this shelter's longest resident has finally found her forever home.

Lucy Ballerina, a Dalmatian mix, arrived at the Humane Society of El Paso (HSEP) back in January 2022, and she's been waiting for that special someone to notice her ever since. The 4-year-old deaf rescue was loved by everyone at the HSEP, including Courtney Roszak-Moore, and they never gave up hoping that one day she'd walk out of the shelter for good.

Roszak-Moore, the director of marketing and community relations at HSEP in Texas, told Newsweek that Lucy Ballerina had some interest over the last two years, "but it was never quite the right match."

Until finally, after 753 days of waiting, Lucy Ballerina's day came, and she was adopted on February 3, 2024. She's seen many other dogs come and go, but this was finally her "gotcha day," and she's loving every second in her new home.

"Making a commitment to an animal is never easy, but it can be more difficult when an animal has special circumstances, such as being deaf like Lucy. There is a family out there for every animal and it can be surprising to see who is here longer and who gets adopted within days," Roszak-Moore said.

"Our team knew Lucy Ballerina was a great dog and would bring a family a world of happiness. It just took time for a family to find her as their missing piece. It took the right person, who was the perfect match for her, to come in and fall in love."

Stories like Lisa Ballerina's are not isolated, as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters every year. While there are around 4.1 million adoptions every year, there are still millions of pets waiting to find a loving home.

Many shelters are struggling to keep up with the demand, as more animals go through their doors every day. The ASPCA highlights that approximately 920,000 animals are euthanized each year.

Thankfully for Lucy Ballerina, the shelter never gave up on her and they were committed to finding her a home, as Roszak-Moore said "it just took longer than others."

She continued: "It takes patience, time, and commitment for an animal to get adjusted to a home. Lucy's adopter originally fostered and was very patient with her. She spent time with Lucy at the shelter before fostering and was committed to helping Lucy grow, so as she got more comfortable, Lucy began to open up."

But once that day finally came, they were more than happy to celebrate the momentous occasion. The happy story was shared on the HSEP Facebook page on February 4, with a picture of Lucy Ballerina and her new owner, and it's already received over 850 reactions and 60 comments from delighted dog lovers.

"Lucy's adoption was a little sweeter because she was with us for so long and she finally got to experience a loving, forever home. The best part is that Lucy's adoption saves another life, because a new dog will move into her kennel to find their forever home," Roszak-Moore told Newsweek.

"It's always great when the animal who has been here the longest gets adopted, but what's often overlooked is that there becomes a new longest-term resident. Rudy, a 7-year-old retriever now takes that place at over 600 days. This senior pup has so much life and love to give, being the perfect snuggle bud or adventure companion."

Among the many comments celebrating Lucy Ballerina's adoption, one person wrote: "For the people who were so lucky to take her, just want to ask please give her as much love as she will give you."

Another person responded: "Best news ever! Congratulations Lucy and family!"

While another comment reads: "I know you're [going to] have the most amazing new life and thank you to your new family! I just know they must be the most wonderful people in the entire world!"

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