When the team at Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) prepared for a major adoption event last month, they immediately knew which furry residents would draw in potential adopters.
A few litters of young pups and some compact, hypoallergenic breeds would certainly attract attention. However, their true hope was to find forever homes for their older and longer-staying residents, especially a pit bull mix named Baby Girl.
The story of Baby Girl
Baby Girl arrived at OCAS in February 2024 after a kind-hearted stranger spotted her in a difficult situation.
As the story goes, “someone watched a shy dog attempt to cross a bustling highway,” OCAS shared on their Facebook page. This Good Samaritan managed to safely coax the dog into their vehicle, possibly saving her life that day.
Once at the shelter, Baby Girl was warmly welcomed by the staff, who immediately noticed her gentle nature.
After a thorough check-up, they discovered she was a healthy nine-year-old with a sweet disposition.
“She is kind and affectionate with people and has comfortably shared her space with other dogs,” the shelter posted on Facebook. “We don’t know much about her past or how long she roamed the streets. But one thing is clear: she deserves more than spending her golden years in a kennel.”
A search for her forever home
While OCAS pledged to find Baby Girl a permanent family, they sought a temporary solution to shelter life. A devoted volunteer named Su Morrison, who had developed a strong affection for Baby Girl, offered to foster her.
Fostering proved to be a transformative experience for Baby Girl. She traded the noisy environment of the shelter for a peaceful home filled with toys and soft beds to rest in. Her foster parents were immediately charmed by her loving nature. “Having Baby in our home… it’s pure joy,” Morrison wrote in a note to OCAS on Facebook, which was later shared online. “The longer she stays, the more we see what a funny, playful spirit she has. She’s truly a happy girl.”
Despite the warm and loving environment of her foster home, Baby Girl remained without a permanent family for months, making her one of OCAS’s longest residents.
A heartbreaking outcome
In a bid to finally find her a forever home, the staff decided to take her to the adoption event in May, hoping that among the thousands of visitors, someone would fall in love with her.
However, at the event, Baby Girl was heartbreakingly overlooked. As potential adopters walked by, they barely glanced at the sweet pup. From behind her kennel bars, she watched with longing as people passed her by, seemingly unaware of her gentle presence.
By the end of the weekend, 58 animals found new homes, but Baby Girl was not one of them. “There’s no long line for this sweet girl. No one is vying for her,” OCAS shared, their words echoing the collective sadness of the staff. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Returning to her foster home, Baby Girl felt a wave of despair and uncertainty about her future. But just when hope seemed lost, a miracle happened: her foster mom decided to make the arrangement permanent.
Her miracle finally came
On June 11, 2024, Baby Girl was officially adopted by her foster mom. Since then, she has been relishing her new life, filled with walks, car rides, and endless affection from her new favorite humans.
It’s a life Baby Girl could only have dreamed of.
By the close of the weekend, 58 animals from OCAS had found new homes. Heartbreakingly, Baby Girl was not among them.
“There’s no crowd outside waiting for this gentle soul. No one is eager to take her home,” OCAS shared. “No one is pleading to adopt her, and it breaks our hearts.”
Baby Girl returned to her foster home with a sense of defeat, her future uncertain. But then, the perfect adoption request came through: her foster mom wanted to make her stay forever.
On June 11, 2024, Baby Girl’s foster mom made it official and adopted her, and ever since, Baby Girl has been thriving. Now, this loving pup enjoys daily walks and car rides with her new forever family—something that brings joy to everyone involved.
“One more foster fail, one more happy pup,” Morrison shared in a heartfelt comment on Facebook.