“We are the only place and the only family she’s ever known.”
Sweet Shelter Dog Rosa Has Spent Two Years Waiting for a Family — Now She’s Losing Hope
Earlier this month, staff at Main Line Animal Rescue (MLAR) in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, were making their way through the kennels when they came upon a heartbreaking scene. Rosa, one of their longest residents, was lying on her bed, looking completely crushed.
“We stood in front of her kennel and saw her staring back at us with a look that was more than just sadness,” MLAR shared in a Facebook post. “It was the quiet acceptance of a dog who’s starting to believe no one is coming for her.”
Rosa has been at MLAR since she was just a puppy. Now, over two years later, she’s still waiting for a family to call her own — and it’s wearing on her spirit.
“For Rosa, we are the only home and family she’s ever known,” the rescue team wrote. “She has now celebrated two birthdays in the shelter, surrounded by walls she may never leave — or so she fears.”
But those who know Rosa best have also seen her bright, happy side — the side that comes out when she’s surrounded by love.
“Her favorite thing is running around in the fields with her big, soft, squeaky toys,” an MLAR staff member told The Dodo. “And she never misses a chance to visit the office in the mornings to say hello to her favorite people. She even has a little nub tail that wags like crazy when she’s excited and getting attention.”
So why has Rosa gone unnoticed? Maybe she blends into the crowd or perhaps her size and energy seem overwhelming to some. But everyone at MLAR knows anyone willing to give her a chance would gain a loving and loyal friend.
“Dogs like Rosa, who are smart, loyal, and full of love, just need someone to see beyond that first look,” her caretakers said. “The longer they wait, the more they fade into the background — but that doesn’t make them any less deserving of a family.”
Rosa would thrive with a dog-savvy family, ideally with experience caring for bigger dogs. She would do best in a home with adults or older teens and would likely appreciate being the only pet at first so she can adjust to life outside the shelter.
Those who care for Rosa dream of the day she’ll finally be able to lounge in a warm home and go on adventures with her very own people.
“She’s been waiting long enough,” her supporters said. “We just hope that someone special sees her for who she really is and gives her the loving home she deserves.”