Nitro the Dog Has Spent Nearly 7-Years Waiting for a Home

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At the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project in Warren, Ohio, dozens of dogs come and go. But one has stayed much longer than anyone ever expected. Nitro, a playful and spirited dog, has been waiting behind a shelter fence since 2018—an astonishing 2,494 days and counting.

As of this September, it will mark seven years since Nitro first arrived, making him one of the shelter’s longest residents. Jason Cooke, the shelter’s founder, says Nitro is full of energy and affection, but for reasons no one can quite explain, he keeps getting overlooked.

“He’s just a kind soul, and I feel bad that almost his entire life has been spent in the shelter,” Cooke said. “He’s smart, social, and loves to swim. He especially enjoys dock diving.”

Nitro originally came from a Columbus-area shelter that was preparing to euthanize him. Healthy Hearts and Paws stepped in, promising to give him a second chance. Since then, Nitro has been living in safety—but not yet in a home of his own.

He’s a healthy 80-pound pup who’s vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered. He gets along well with other dogs and loves going on walks. Despite these positives, potential adopters consistently pass him by.

Cooke believes his size or the shelter’s high dog population may play a role in why Nitro keeps getting overlooked. “If people would just come out and meet him, give him a chance, they would fall in love with him,” he said.

As the shelter continues to care for over 90 dogs, volunteers and staff remain hopeful that Nitro’s forever family is out there. Cooke envisions a big celebration the day Nitro goes home, calling it a testament to the dedication of the shelter’s team. “No matter how long it takes, we never give up on them,” he said.

For those interested, Healthy Hearts and Paws offers free training support through its partner programs for anyone who adopts. Nitro, like all their dogs, comes with resources to help ensure a smooth transition into a new home.

This Saturday, the shelter will hold an adoption event at its facility on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Warren. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can meet dogs and cats, enjoy a bake sale, participate in a basket raffle, and support local vendors. It’s also a chance to meet Nitro—and maybe finally give him the home he’s waited nearly seven years for.

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