“Sweet” Senior Dog Adopted After 650 Days Finds Herself Back At North Carolina Shelter

A “sweet” 12-year-old dog with a “penchant for kisses” is back at the shelter after the home she waited 650 days for turned out not to be a perfect match. 

Chiquitita first arrived at the Watauga Humane Society in Boone, North Carolina, in March 2022. She spent nearly two years looking for a family, and despite having the “odds stacked against her,” the aging pit bull was finally adopted in December 2023. A few months later, however, she was back with the rescue.

“We strongly believe that there is the right home for every shelter pet out there, but we also know that there is the wrong home for them as well,” the rescue wrote on Facebook. “Not every pairing is a perfect match.”

According to the rescue, Chiquitita’s adopter realized shortly after bringing her home that they could not care for her as they had hoped. After “much thought and consideration,” they made the difficult decision to return her to Watauga Humane Society. 

Shetler staff urged Facebook fans not to “shame” the adopter, noting that bringing Chiquitita back actually gives her the “best chance at finding that perfect home.”   

“This was not an easy decision and it’s important to state here that chastising the adopter is not the answer, nor does it help anyone in the long run,” the post notes. “It doesn’t help Chiquitita; it doesn’t help the adopter and it certainly does not help us or our mission.” 

So, Watauga Humane Society is once again on a journey to find “this amazing sweet senior girl” the “retirement home” she deserves. 

Chiquitita is described as having a “gentle nature” and a “love bug” who enjoys naps, walking around the neighborhood, and of course, kisses. She has some arthritis and needs to be the only dog in the household. 

“Even though we love her to pieces and look forward to her smiling face every morning, at almost 13 years young, she doesn’t deserve to spend her final days with us,” the shelter wrote. 

For more information visit wataugahumane.org.