At Long Last, Shelter Dog Finds A Forever Home After Viral Photo

After a long wait of five years, a New York shelter dog has finally found a loving home, thanks to a photo on Facebook that was shared across the globe last week.

Who could say no to a dog with heart-warming puppy eyes posing with a sign that undeniably tugs at heartstrings, especially when the sign reads “Why doesn't anybody want me? I've been waiting 5 years.”

“Everyone at the shelter tells me what a good boy I am so why has no one adopted me? I promise to be good and love my family. Please maybe you are my new family. I sit and wait for you to come. Chester”

Chester, six-year old pit bull mix, has been a resident at North Fork Animal Welfare League, or NFAWL, since 2010. After a photo of him with “his” heartbreaking message went viral over social media, the shelter dog has finally found a family of his own.

The staff at NFAWL Long Island was astounded at how fast the photo spread over social media when it was posted on April 2, getting over 20,000 shares online. Gabby Stroup, NFAWL manager, said, “It was crazy. I posted the original photo on the League's Facebook page and by later that day, there were over 6,000 shares.” He recounts how there were so many phone calls and emails received that day asking about Chester.

Chester was picked up as a stray and has been previously adopted, but always surrendered back to the shelter. NFAWL Executive Director Gillian Pultz said that Chester had experienced health problems and even underwent knee surgery, but the entire staff couldn’t understand why he always gets refused by families.

The shelter dog’s fate changed when NFAWL staff decided to do something for him just to get him a loving home. The viral photo was seen by the Dors – Dana Dor, husband Adi, and kids Adrian and Brandon. Adi Dor said, “We saw him and we felt connected. It was meant to be.”

Two days after the posting of the photo, NFAWL announced that Chester finally found his forever home. On Saturday, the shelter dog joined his family over at Lake Ronkonkoma.

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