Bubba is one of those dogs you just can’t help but fall in love with the moment you lay eyes on him. He’s a senior boxer mix with a young heart and more love to give than most people even realize. Bubba waited 204 days in the shelter, longer than any other dog there, hoping someone would come along and take him home. Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter
That’s almost 7 months of watching other dogs kennel doors open and his stay closed.
Everybody’s Favorite Dog — Still Waiting
But the thing is, Bubba wasn’t hard to understand. Not at all. He was easy to understand. He was fine with other dogs. He warmed up to strangers in seconds. He was one of the best-behaved dogs I’ve ever known. I thought he had been trained his whole life.
The shelter has a “Happy Hour” program. Dogs can leave the shelter and go on short day trips with volunteers or visitors. Bubba was one of the dogs that was picked for these trips often and every time he came back the reviews were the same. He was great, sweet, perfect. The staff loved him. The volunteers asked for him by name. And yet, he was still there, week after week.
No one knew why. Not the staff. Not the volunteers. Not Bubba.
A Heavy Heart Behind Those Big Eyes
He didn’t try to hide it like we sometimes do. When Bubba started to give up, everyone around him could feel it. He started to be quieter. He stopped eating his meals. The bounce in his step became a plod. After 204 days, this good boy had no reason left to wait at that kennel door.
The shelter knew they had to get real and make a video. In the post , Bubba says: “They tell me time is running out for me, as the shelter is beyond its limits. I get the best happy hour report cards, have played well with other dogs while here, and have been on my best behavior so I don’t understand why I’m still waiting. I’ve stopped eating and am starting to give up hope. I know someone must want me because all the staff love me so.”
He’s standing there at the kennel door, calm, patient and hopeful. It’s hard not to have something tug at your heartstrings.
One Video. One Day. One Person.
The right story at the right time can change everything. One day after the shelter posted Bubba’s video, something changed. A picture comment appeared under the post – a photo of Bubba standing next to his new mom, both with big smiles. His tail was a mile a minute as he walked out of that shelter, and if you’ve ever seen a happy boxer tail, you know exactly what that looks like.
Finally going home.
Life Is Good Now, Bubba
He now has his forever family and the love he waited for all those 204 days on a shelter floor. In a sweet little touch, he can’t wait for his first Chewy delivery and his new bed that was made just for him. He deserves every bit of it.
The Dog Waiting for You Right Now
This is a great story, but it’s also a sad reminder for all of us. Every day, senior dogs are passed over at shelters. Not because there’s something wrong with them. They’re not puppies. And that’s sad because older dogs bring something very special into a home. They’re calm. They’re connected. They’re grateful in a way that’s hard to explain.
If you ever thought about adopting and thought that maybe a senior dog would be the right fit for you… Bubba is your answer. They don’t need much. A warm place to sleep, someone to walk beside and the chance to spend their golden years feeling loved.
Hi, I’m Ali Tarek, co-founder of Animalsman. I’ve always been passionate about pets, especially dogs and cats, and I created this website to share practical tips, easy recipes, and helpful care advice for fellow pet lovers. My goal is to make pet care simple, enjoyable, and accessible for everyone. When I’m not writing or curating content, you’ll usually find me spending time with my furry friends or learning new ways to keep them happy and healthy.
