In December of 2023, a shelter pup named Arizona celebrated her 1,000th day at the Humane Educational Society (HES) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Arizona’s 1,000th-day party was a blast — filled with bouncy balls and pup cups — but something was still missing that night when she returned to her kennel: a forever family.
After rescuing her in 2021, the folks at HES worked tirelessly to help heal Arizona’s physical and emotional wounds. At first, the stray pup was defensive and scared of the world around her. But as the days passed, Arizona became more comfortable with her caregivers and even made a friend named Paddington (Paddy).
Arizona and Paddy clicked right away. Once an anxious, untrusting pup, Arizona came out of her shell with Paddy by her side. They spent most of their time together, eventually becoming inseparable best friends.
Then, in late 2022, Paddy was adopted by a loving family. Sadly, his favorite playmate stayed behind.
“Paddy was actually the first dog Arizona had become friends with during their time together at the shelter,” HES wrote in a press release shared with The Dodo. “The two would play together nearly every day until Paddy was adopted.”
By the time Arizona’s 1,000th-day celebration arrived the following year, she’d already won the title as the shelter’s longest resident. She couldn’t understand why everyone but her had found a forever home.
As heartbreaking as it was to witness Arizona be overlooked, her friends at HES remained hopeful that her happily-ever-after would eventually come.
Over a year later, in January 2024, Arizona officially reached 1,400 days at the shelter. Still the shelter’s longest resident, Arizona’s hope of finding a family started dwindling — until the couple who adopted Paddy sent in an adoption application.
“The couple say they ‘felt called’ to adopt Arizona,” HES wrote. “After several meetings with her, and coached by HES’s behavioral staff, the Habenichts decided to take the leap and make things official last weekend.”
The Habenichts, a physician and lawyer duo, had been eyeing Arizona in the years since adopting her friend, Paddy. They already had another senior dog in their care, a sweet boy named Beaux, but they eventually felt ready to add another fluffy dog to the mix and set their sights on Arizona.
Just one month shy of her 4th anniversary at the shelter, Arizona went home with her new adoptive parents and officially became sister to her very first best friend. The sweet girl has been thriving ever since.
“It is our honor to care for and love Arizona,” Dr. Kymber Habenicht wrote in a Facebook comment.
After years of waiting, Arizona’s biggest dream came true. Now, she’s enjoying life with her furry siblings and doting parents, just like she’d always wanted.
As much as they miss having her around, the folks at HES couldn’t be happier to see Arizona living her dream.
“Arizona became a staple of HES,” HES wrote. “She was a constant fixture of joy and love for staff and volunteers. To know her was to love her, and while her presence will be sorely missed, all Arizona’s friends at HES wish her and her new family the best for many years to come.”
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