3 Long Years Behind Shelter Walls, Dog Dreams of Someone to Love Her

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Senior Shelter Dog Deja Still Waiting After Three Years

For many dogs, a shelter is just a temporary stop on the way to a loving home. But for Deja, a sweet senior pittie mix, the shelter has been her entire world for the past three years. Since arriving at the Patty Baker Humane Society Naples (PBHSN) in Florida in 2022, she has watched countless dogs come and go while she continues to wait, her hopeful eyes fixed on the possibility that someone might one day choose her.

Deja’s story began when she was transferred from Gulf Coast Humane. At first, she was understandably nervous and unsure of her surroundings. The hustle and noise of the shelter can overwhelm even the most confident animals, and Deja was no exception. She kept her guard up, hesitant to trust strangers. But as the staff spent time with her, offering patience and kindness, a different side of Deja began to shine through. Beneath her cautious exterior was a dog full of joy, affection, and playfulness.

Once Deja feels safe with someone, her goofy personality comes alive. Caregivers describe her as “all heart,” a dog who loves to romp around and show off her playful spirit. She has even earned a reputation for her hilarious “bunny zoomies,” hopping and sprinting in circles with sheer delight. Those little bursts of happiness reveal the dog she truly is — not just a shelter resident, but a companion waiting to give her love to the right person.

Now seven years old, Deja has never experienced the warmth of a real home. Despite the shelter’s best efforts — including a Facebook video that went viral and gained over a million views — no one has stepped forward to adopt her. The video, which shows Deja waiting in her kennel and later playing outside, broke hearts across the internet. Yet even with that exposure, she remains overlooked.

Part of the challenge, staff believe, is her age and breed. Many potential adopters shy away from senior dogs, assuming they require too much care or have less energy. But Deja’s caregivers insist that nothing could be further from the truth. She is healthy, energetic, and has plenty of love to give. They imagine her as the perfect TV-watching buddy, the kind of dog who will curl up at your side, bring laughter with her antics, and brighten every day with her presence.

Deja’s dream home would be one where she is the only pet, soaking up undivided attention from her family. While she has struggled around other dogs, her connection with people is undeniable. “Though she does well in the shelter, her true personality shines when she’s with people,” explains Stephanie Lewis of PBHSN.

Her story highlights a heartbreaking reality faced by many long-term shelter dogs. Over time, the stress of waiting can take its toll. Yet Deja remains resilient, her tail still wagging, her heart still open. She greets each new day with hope, ready for the moment when her forever family finally arrives.

For now, Deja continues to wait. Her bowl, her kennel, and her play yard are familiar, but they are no substitute for the comfort of a home. What she longs for most is simple: stability, love, and a family to call her own. Whoever chooses her will not just be adopting a dog — they will be gaining a loyal, goofy, and affectionate friend who has been waiting patiently for far too long.

Deja’s journey is a reminder that senior dogs deserve just as much love as puppies. After three years of waiting, she is ready to prove that the best companion is not always the youngest or the flashiest — sometimes, it’s the one who has been overlooked, still holding out hope for the day someone finally says, “You’re mine.”