For more than two and a half years, Tracy waited.
Day after day, the energetic, goofy pup watched other dogs leave PAWS Chicago with their new families. She’d wag her tail hopefully each time someone walked by her kennel — but time after time, she was overlooked.
“Most of our adopters live in the city and look for calmer, smaller breeds that are more apartment-friendly,” said Allison Wunder, PAWS Chicago’s senior digital media manager. “Tracy just kept growing.”
Still, the shelter team adored her. For 933 days, they poured their hearts into keeping her happy — filling her life with love, playtime, and training sessions to prepare her for the day she’d finally be chosen.
“It’s always hard to see a wonderful dog like Tracy get overlooked,” Wunder said. “But no day at PAWS was wasted for her.”
Then one day, Tracy’s luck changed.
A woman named Laura and her family came to the shelter hoping to adopt. They’d made a short list of dogs to meet — and Tracy was on it, thanks to a video they’d seen online.
They met a few pups first, but no spark. Then Tracy walked in.
“Tracy locked eyes with Laura and laid her head in her hand,” Wunder recalled. “Within five minutes, they knew she was the one.”
The connection was instant and powerful. “They certainly chose her,” Wunder said, “but watching Tracy choose them right back was magical. It was like she’d known them her whole life.”
To celebrate her adoption, the staff threw Tracy a goodbye party — complete with all her favorite people: volunteers, walking buddies, foster parents, and friends who had loved her for years. More than 40 people came to give her hugs and send her off.
Tracy soaked up every second — tail wagging, eyes bright, surrounded by love.
Now, she’s home.
These days, Tracy spends her time going on long walks, taking car rides, and proudly carrying her rope toys around the house. She follows her new family everywhere, as if she still can’t quite believe they’re hers.
“Despite being in the shelter so long, Tracy held onto her spirit and her joy of life,” Laura told PAWS Chicago. “She’s strong and confident, and she knows how to love because she was loved by the people at PAWS.”
After 933 days of waiting, Tracy’s forever finally found her.
To help other dogs like Tracy, you can make a donation to PAWS Chicago.
