Staff at the BC SPCA branch in Comox are celebrating after a dog that had been in their care for nearly a year was finally adopted.
On Friday, the SPCA announced that Oso, a roughly four-year-old Kangal shepherd dog and German shepherd mix, had been adopted after almost 300 days in care.
His life before coming to the SPCA wasn’t easy, the organization says, and he spent most of his first three years of life locked to a chain all day, and only being allowed indoors at night.
Despite Oso being in care for roughly 10 months, SPCA staff said they never gave up hope of finding him a forever home.
“Everyone was committed to finding Oso a home,” said Stephanie Arkwright, manager of the BC SPCA’s Comox animal centre.
“He was featured in seasonal photoshoots, local media – staff and volunteers made every effort to shine a spotlight on this wonderful dog and help him find his forever family.”
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The SPCA also held a birthday party for Oso as he neared one full year in care, and community members turned up, donating treats, toys and gifts to Oso and other dogs at the centre.
It would prove a turning point in Oso’s journey.
(BC SPCA)
A new dog dad
Shortly after Oso’s birthday party, a local man named Jonathan saw one of the BC SPCA’s social media posts about the dog who had long been without a home.
“The first time I met Oso, I was struck by how handsome he was and his ‘regal’ energy,” said Jonathan in a release Friday.
“He was a little guarded at first but then he quickly relaxed, and he was playing with me and showing me lots of affection. He made such an impression on me, and when I left that day, I felt like I made a new, old friend.”
Jonathan says he was still mourning the loss of his previous dog when he met Oso, noting that the dog was his “best friend” and went everywhere with him, including at work and on outdoor adventures.
Jonathan went so far as building a custom car seat for his previous dog, so he could join him on adventures. But the empty car seat eventually turned to be a source of grief .
That is, until Oso came to help fill the void.
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Oso is pictured with his new dog dad, Jonathan. (BC SPCA)
“We made Oso a ‘congratulations you are adopted’ cake before he left with Jonathan,” said Arkwright.
“It was such a mixture of emotions. We were so happy to see him leave with his new dad, but we had all grown so attached to him, it was emotional to watch him walk out the door,” she said.
Jonathan says Oso is a “cuddle-bug” and a “giant teddy bear” who now goes everywhere with him,
“I love every minute I spend with him, we both seem to like to do the same things,” said Jonathan. “I think this is the beginning of a very good (best) friendship.”
The SPCA says people can support other long-term residents like Oso on its website.
(BC SPCA)
Adam Chan
