See Shelter's Longest Resident Dog Reaction to Being Adopted After 831 Days

After more than two years of watching other dogs come and go, a shelter’s longest resident canine finally got his turn, along with a surprise no one saw coming.

Cheers and emotional goodbyes filled the halls at the City of Tracy Animal Services in Tracy, California, as Clyde finally walked out the door with his forever family. JoAnn Ronngren, the shelter’s administrative assistant, told Newsweek via email that staff and volunteers celebrated the long-awaited moment as the 6-year-old American Staffordshire terrier left after 831 days. But he wasn’t leaving alone.

The milestone moment, shared in an April 17 Facebook video by the shelter, shows two dogs walking to the same vehicle at different times. The adoption became a double send-off, with Thor, a 3-year-old pit bull-husky mix who had spent 280 days waiting, going home alongside Clyde. Both strutted to the car with giant smiles, hopping in without hesitation. It’s as if they knew they were finally adopted.

The reason both dogs were leaving that day and headed to the same home came down to one person. Roberto, a volunteer from Indiana, had only been in Tracy on a temporary work assignment, but in a matter of weeks, he changed everything for Clyde and Thor.

During his time in Tracy, Roberto did not just stop by occasionally; he immersed himself in the shelter’s daily routine, often walking up to six dogs a day and giving them much-needed exercise and attention outside the kennels.

“Volunteering is clearly more than just volunteering,” Ronngren said. “It is inspiring to all of us, especially for Roberto, to come from Indiana to California for a temporary work assignment, and to choose to walk shelter dogs on his downtime.”

Over time, Roberto got to know the dogs’ personalities, routines and quirks, forming connections that went beyond casual visits. Among them were Clyde and Thor-two independent dogs who didn't demand attention but quietly stood out to him.

Ronngren said Clyde often spent time in her office, but would become antsy and return to his kennel. He was, however, always up for his “doggy day outs” and getting pup cups. Like Clyde, Thor had built his own quiet rhythm inside the shelter walls-eager for walks, happy to interact with people, but ultimately comfortable on his own.

By the time Roberto's assignment was coming to an end, he knew he couldn't leave either of them behind.

Despite their similar temperaments, the two dogs had never actually met before their adoption. The dogs’ introduction came on the road, with their kennels placed side by side as Roberto made the multi-day drive back to Indiana. Mile by mile, the two got used to each other, quietly bonding as they left behind their past as strays and headed toward a new life together with Roberto.

Ronngren said: “He was a special person whom we will never forget.”

The Facebook video quickly drew emotional reactions from viewers online, with commenters celebrating the dogs’ long-awaited exit, and as of Tuesday, the clip had reached over 63,000 views and 2,500 reactions.

“I have never seen a dog so happy to jump in a cage like that! It’s obvious he knew his new life would be full of love and adventure,” said one user.

Another added: “I’m crying happy tears for these two precious boys and Roberto.”

A third person wrote: “Amazing and awesome. Lucky dogs, lucky adopter.”

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 7:08 PM.