Senior canine finds without end home in Worcester after trying to find eight years

After eight years and three houses, “Old Man Houston,” an 8-year-old lab-boxer combine, has lastly discovered his “forever home” with a retired Worcester man.

Houston, a Florida native, discovered his option to Massachusetts in 2017 at simply 2 years old, within the midst of a relocation motion pushed by the ASPCA forward of a Category 4 hurricane set to strike the Sunshine State.

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“We partnered with the ASPCA to take over 100 animals,” mentioned Second Chance Animal Services Animal Relocation Director Wendy Hall. “He was here from September of 2017 until January, 2018.”

Though Houston spent a number of years along with his preliminary adopters, he was surrendered to Second Chance Animal Services in East Brookfield for a second time because the household’s circumstances modified in 2021.

“He went to another family a few weeks later and it was not a good fit,” mentioned Hall. “We always take our animals back if it’s not a good fit.”

She mentioned when Second Chance Animal Services obtained Houston’s paperwork in 2017, it was famous he didn’t reply effectively to different animals.

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“Houston does not get along with other animals which is why it took so long to find an appropriate home,” mentioned Lindsay Doray, Second Chance Animal Services chief improvement officer. “His issue was not about training.”

In 2023, Houston was briefly rehomed for a 3rd time, but it surely didn’t final.

“This time, we said we would hold him until we found a perfect match,” mentioned Hall. “We wanted to be sure it was his forever home and was someone who really understood his situation.”

It could be a few 12 months earlier than Houston would meet his ultimate adopter.

Hall mentioned the employees carried out home visits to confirm the adopter had a fenced in space for Houston and wouldn’t be uncovered to different animals.

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Dan Karsberg, a retired Worcester resident, mentioned he was on the look out for a companion when he visited Second Chance in January.

“My neighbor from across the street adopted from here about year ago,” mentioned Karsberg. “I came in to look at another dog and a lady told me Houston’s story.”

After he left the shelter, Karsberg mentioned he “couldn’t stop thinking about him,” and went again to go to Houston.

During his preliminary go to, Karsberg mentioned Houston “sat up, and then sat back down.”

“I took it as ‘he’s not here for me,’” mentioned Karsberg.

During his second go to, Karsberg mentioned he introduced Houston outdoors to play, and Houston leaned into him.

“Just like they said on his paperwork — he is sweet,” mentioned Karsberg. “I am lucky and I think he is pretty lucky, too.”

Houston will rejoice one month at his without end home on March 8, and can rejoice his ninth birthday on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.

“For 9 years old, he is quite active,” mentioned Karsberg. “He loves to go on rides, walks in the woods and loves to play fetch.”

As for treats, Kasberg mentioned Houston likes bacon plaque sticks and enjoys a “chunk of bacon before and after breakfast.”

Volunteer Mike Byrnes mentioned whereas Houston was dwelling on the shelter, he was his “coffee buddy.”

“I would bring him to get coffee, apple slices and cheese sticks,” mentioned Byrnes.

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Second Chance Animal Services Volunteer Coordinator Chris Wojnar mentioned she would convey items of bacon from home to share with Houston. “We try to give them as much normalcy as they can have.”

Byrnes mentioned he took Houston out on Christmas Eve this previous 12 months to spend the evening at a lodge. “He would jump back and forth between the two hotel beds,” mentioned Byrnes.

He mentioned throughout their keep, as an alternative of sleeping on his personal mattress, Houston was “hogging up” Byrnes.

Now, Houston is taking on Karsberg’s king mattress.

“I put a blanket out on his side so he’d get the hint,” mentioned Karsberg, however he has not.

Hall mentioned “it’s amazing,” to see Houston discover a everlasting dwelling state of affairs. “It’s one of those things …. you’ve just seen him so many times, you forget he’s looking for his forever home.”

“It is such a great fit.”

While Karsberg mentioned Houston is just not a kisser or a lap canine, Houston does sometimes lay his head on Karsberg’s lap and provides him his paw.

“His paw is his way of showing affection,” mentioned Byrnes.

Karsberg mentioned Houston’s routine now consists of going outdoors “to take care of business,” going out for a morning espresso run, returning home for breakfast and watching squirrels along with his head laid and eyes staring out his window.