But as Moncayo approached the shelter on Feb. 10, he noticed a sweet-looking pooch gazing him by means of the entrance window. The canine reminded him of his late canine, Rusty, who ran away practically 30 years in the past.
“They’re identical,” stated Moncayo, 51. “Rusty was exactly the same stature and build.”
Although his daughter had been begging him to get a canine, Moncayo stated, “being a single parent, and with inflation being so high … it’s not in my budget to pay for a dog.”
But the pup within the window drew him in.
After making his supply, Moncayo requested employees if he and his daughter may meet the canine. He was excited to be taught that there was a promotion occurring — it was Super Bowl weekend, and the shelter held an “Adoption Bowl” eventwaiving adoption charges for dogs that have been 45 kilos or larger.
“The goal was to get as many dogs as possible into loving homes,” stated Rebecca Cavedon, communications supervisor for the county’s Department of Animal Sheltering.
Shelter employees launched Moncayo and Sabrina to Jihoo, a 6-year-old 65-pound pit bull combine.
“Right away, he played with my daughter. He was very sensitive and gentle,” stated Moncayo, noting that Jihoo additionally appeared obedient and well-trained. “This dog is unbelievable.”
“They seemed to mesh together right away,” stated Cavedon. “It simply appeared prefer it was the right match.”
Moncayo adored Jihoo’s brown-and-white coat, his massive eyes and the freckles on his snout.
“He’s beautiful,” stated Moncayo, a Navy veteran who’s working as a meals supply driver whereas he’s between jobs.
Moncayo was additionally touched by the canine’s background.
Jihoo was surrendered by his house owners final June and had been on the shelter for greater than 240 days. On common, pups keep on the shelter for about 24 days.
“His guardians could no longer care for him,” stated Cavedon, explaining that though they weren’t ready maintain the canine, “they loved him very much.”
Since huge dogs are usually tougher to undertake out, Cavedon stated, Jihoo remained on the shelter for longer than ordinary.
“It can be hard to get some of the larger dogs adopted, with a lack of affordable housing and affordable veterinary care as well,” she stated. “Last year alone, we saw a 30 percent increase in large dogs like Jihoo coming into our care. There’s such a critical need for large-dog adoptions.”
Staff on the shelter had developed a comfortable spot for Jihoo.
“He was very special to all of our staff and volunteers,” stated Cavedon. “He’s just an amazingly gentle, sweet, kind boy.”
It solely took a couple of minutes for Moncayo and his daughter to really feel the identical means about Jihoo. On the spot, Moncayo determined that the canine was meant to be theirs.
“It was a no-brainer. It was a done deal,” he stated, including that he didn’t have one other canine after Rusty, as he didn’t really feel prepared.
“It was like an empty space in my heart that just needed to be filled up,” Moncayo stated. “It had to be healed, and now it’s filled with so much love for our beautiful new dog.”
After going by means of paperwork and finishing a counseling session with shelter employees, Moncayo adopted the canine that day.
“I went to drop off some food, and I walked out with Jihoo,” stated Moncayo. “What are the odds of that?”
In addition to waiving Jihoo’s adoption price (which might have been $100), the shelter additionally outfitted Moncayo with provides for his new pup, together with a crate, meals, toys and a leash.
“We always want to set families up for success when they leave our doors,” stated Cavedon, noting that the shelter was in a position to undertake out 20 dogs over the four-day Adoption Bowl occasion.
So far, Jihoo has been acclimating properly to his new home and household. He enjoys stomach rubs, taking part in fetch and licking faces.
“He is so affectionate and loving with both of us,” stated Moncayo, who lives together with his daughter in Prince William County. “He has been a blessing.”
“He makes us laugh all day long,” he added. “He’s a very funny dog.”
Moncayo just lately delivered one other lunch order to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, and he introduced Jihoo with him to go to the employees. They have been delighted.
“We feel like a complete family now,” stated Moncayo. “He was always missing.”
