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We’re so excited to share the incredible impact you’ve made by sending Care Packages to dogs in need this holiday season! You’ve grown so attached to these pups, and we wanted to make sure you received their updates as soon as pawsible.
Choosing just six dogs in the Miami-Dade Animal Shelter for our Send a Shelter Dog a Care Package campaign was no easy task. The shelter currently cares for over 550 dogs, most of them large breeds, with an average stay of 110 days. We wished we could feature them all. In the end, we selected six pups who would stand in for the many: Senior dogs, long-term residents, and those who found themselves in the shelter after their owners passed away or could no longer care for them.
These six didn’t just represent the rest, they amplified their voices. They helped shine a light on the needs of the Miami-Dade Shelter, and by extension, shelters across the country. Every dog matters. Every dog hopes for a home. And that’s where the incredible iHeartDogs community came in.
In just a few short weeks, you stepped up to support the pups at Miami-Dade with care packages. These care packages featured treats, meals, a toy and blanket to keep them warm and a brand new professional photo by Second Shot Photography! Your generosity brings comfort, hope, joy and a better chance at adoption to dogs who need it most this Holiday Season.
We have received multiple requests over the last few weeks inquiring how the dogs are doing, if they received their care packages and if they have been adopted. Thank you for your kindness, your compassion, and your big hearts. It means more than you know.
You are truly making a difference…..and now for the updates!
DUKE:
Duke is an 8-year-old senior gentleman with a heart full of love and an easygoing, gentle spirit. He has one floppy ear, while the other seems to be half standing at attention. He’s a big boy with an even bigger heart, and he gets along wonderfully with other dogs. Duke doesn’t ask for much, just a companion to sit beside and share life’s quieter moments.
Update: Duke is still waiting for his forever home. He was surrendered to the shelter on 11/6/2024 when his family moved and could no longer keep him. Since arriving, he’s only had one meet-and-greet, shortly after intake, and none since.
This will be Duke’s second holiday season in the shelter.
Duke absolutely loves his care packages and updated photo:
Here is a short clip of Duke receiving his Care Package (discovering one left for him in his kennel):
Thank You Duke Supporters! Interested in learning more about Duke? Go Here
LUNA:
Luna is a 2 year old brown brindle American Bulldog. She arrived as a stray from Southwest Miami-Dade County, timid and unsure of her surroundings. While Luna remains a bit shy, it doesn’t take much to win her over. Offer her a squeaky toy, and she’ll brighten right up! She loves going for walks and spending time with “her people,” and once she feels safe, she’ll happily shower you with affection. With Luna, a little patience truly goes a long way.
Update: Luna entered the shelter on 1/13/25, and has now been there for 10 months. Although she’s had two meet-and-greets this year (one in January and another in November), she’s still waiting for her forever family.
This will be her first Christmas in the shelter, but she’s absolutely loving the care packs you’ve sent and her new photo! Take a look at the pictures and video clips below:
While the video doesn’t show it, she definitely enjoys the treats you sent!
See Luna’s Second Shot photo session!
Thank you Team Luna! Interested in learning more about Luna? Go Here
SARGENTO:
Sargento is a beautiful 7 year old tricolor German Shepherd Dog mix. He is a sweet boy who loves people and just wants to be by your side. He has a gentle heart and is ready to share all his love with a forever family. With Sargento, you’ll have a loyal and loving companion.
Update: Sargento was surrendered to the shelter on 5/30/25 after his owner passed away. He has been waiting to meet his new pet parent ever since. Unfortunately, Sargento has no inquiries since his intake and this will be his first Christmas in the Shelter without a home.
However, with your support he is LOVING the “Christmas Crack” treats you have sent him in his care packs! See video clips and his new photo below:
Thank you Sargento Supporters! Interested in learning more about Sargento? Go Here
EDISON:
Edison is a 7 year old tan and white Terrier. With his handsome looks and social personality, he will win anyone over in no time. Edison is affectionate and ready to spend his time cuddled up on the couch with you. He came to the shelter as a stray on 5/31/25. He had no chip or finder’s information.
Update: Edison is a volunteer favorite! He has such a social personality, that he is a natural to attend events and outings. He has not yet had any meet and greet inquiries since coming to the shelter in May, but with his incredible looks and personality it’s just a matter of time.
He absolutely LOVES the toy in his care packages! See his “Thank You” photos below:
Thanks to your support, Edison has a great new photo too:
Thank you to Team Edison! Want to learn more about Edison? Go Here
BULLWINKLE:
Bullwinkle is an adorable 4 year old male, brown brindle and white Terrier mix. He is a gentle, low-energy guy who enjoys peaceful vibes and light play. In playgroup, he’s more of a “co-exist and chill” kind of friend, with a dainty approach and a sweet nature. If you’re looking for a mellow buddy who’s just happy to be near you, he’d be a perfect fit.
Update: Bullwinkle has been a fan favorite! We have received so many inquiries on Bullwinkle. He has had a hard road. He was picked up over a year ago by an animal investigator and brought to the shelter on 9/15/24. He has adjusted well and while he was able to participate in the launch of the iHeartDogs Care Package campaign, he developed an Upper Respiratory Infection in mid November 2025 and was moved to quarantine. As a result, we have limited photos and videos of Bullwinkle. He is recovering and hopes to find his forever home very soon. He will still receive your care packages!
He had a very successful photo session to get his Second Shot photo. See the photo session reel here and his new photo below:
Thank you Bullwinkle Backers! Interested in learning more about Bullwinkle? Go Here
LOUIE:
Louie is a brown brindle and white Terrier mix who spent more than 700 days in the shelter. He likely never knew a real home before arriving as a stray puppy from southwest Miami on November 22, 2023. For nearly two years, Louie was one of Miami-Dade’s longest-staying residents.
During his long wait, the iHeartDogs community fell completely in love with him, sending multiple care packages to brighten his days. And then—just one day shy of his two-year anniversary in the shelter…Louie was adopted! After 729 days, he finally found his forever home.
Update:
Because of your generosity, Louie had hope. We wanted to show you some footage of Louie receiving his treats from the care packages sent by you all and his photo session reel.
Thank you to everyone who sent care packages, inquired about Louie, and helped spread the word. Your support made all the difference.
If you’d like to send a Christmas care package to one of the pups still waiting (Louie’s share will now go to another dog in need) or participate in Adopt an Angel to help contribute toward their adoption fees, you still can!
We are so grateful for your kindness, your generosity, and your heart for deserving pups. We truly couldn’t do this without you.
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