When Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) signed up for a massive adoption event this spring, staff had high hopes. They knew the crowd would swarm to the puppies and fluffy little dogs, but their biggest wish was for the overlooked ones — the seniors, the shy ones, the ones who’d been waiting far too long.
At the top of that list was Baby Girl, a 9-year-old pittie mix who had been at the shelter since February.
Her story began when a Good Samaritan spotted a frightened dog trying to cross a busy interstate. “Someone watched a timid dog try and cross a busy interstate,” OCAS shared on Facebook. “They were able to stop the dog and get her inside their car, possibly saving her life.”
That act of kindness brought Baby Girl to safety — and into the arms of rescuers who immediately saw how gentle and loving she was. Despite her uncertain past, she greeted everyone with quiet affection and calm eyes that seemed to say thank you.
“She is sweet and gentle with people, and has shared her space with other dogs,” OCAS wrote. “We don’t know anything about her past life … but we do know one thing: she deserves better than spending her senior years inside our kennels.”
To give her a break from the stress of shelter life, a devoted volunteer named Su Morrison offered to foster her. From the moment Baby Girl stepped into her new home, she bloomed.
“Having Baby in our home … it’s a pleasure,” Morrison wrote to OCAS, later shared on Facebook. “The longer she stays, the more we see what an absolute goofball she is. She is such a happy girl.”
Weeks passed, then months — and still, no one came for Baby Girl. So when the May adoption event arrived, staff decided to bring her along, hoping her perfect match might finally appear.
But as crowds poured in, cooing over tiny puppies and wagging tails, Baby Girl sat quietly in her kennel and watched them all walk by. Not one person stopped.
You can watch that moment here:
By the end of the weekend, 58 dogs had found homes. Baby Girl wasn’t one of them.
“No one is lining up for this sweet girl,” OCAS wrote. “No one is fighting for her. No one is begging to adopt her, and it’s heartbreaking.”
She returned to her foster home with drooping ears and tired eyes — unaware that the person who loved her most was about to change everything.
Su couldn’t bear to see Baby Girl wait any longer. She filled out the adoption papers herself. On June 11, 2024, Baby Girl officially became part of her family forever.
Now, the senior pup spends her days exactly as she deserves — going for walks, napping in sunbeams, and riding shotgun in the car with her favorite human.
“Another foster fail, another happy dog,” Morrison wrote with a smile.
After months of being passed by, Baby Girl’s journey ended exactly where it was always meant to — right back home.
If you’d like to help other pets like Baby Girl find their happy endings, you can donate to Orange County Animal Services here.
