When Alva, a pup with cerebellar hypoplasia, found herself back at the Austin Pets Alive! shelter after her first adoption didn’t work out, the staff feared that her special needs and newly developed anxieties would make it difficult for her to find a forever home.
Despite their best efforts to train and socialize her, Alva spent over 500 days at the shelter, watching as potential adopters passed her by.
Love at First Sight
Everything changed when Joe Rotunda stumbled upon Alva’s story on Instagram. The moment he laid eyes on her photos and videos, he fell in love with her fighting spirit and undeniable will to overcome challenges.
She shined. She had this almost tangible will. I saw all these videos of Alva running, playing, and falling down. And every time she fell, she pulled herself back up. Every time a challenge presented itself, she did not go around it; she went over it,
Rotunda told People.
Inspired by her resilience, Rotunda knew he had to meet this special girl.
Without hesitation, he drove to the shelter, eager to learn more about Alva’s condition and the behavioral issues that had developed as a result of her limited exposure to new people and situations.
The shelter staff warned him that Alva could be wary and defensive around strangers, but Rotunda was undeterred.
A Promise to Persevere
When Rotunda first met Alva, she was cautious and anxious, even snapping at him in fear.
But rather than walking away, he saw the love and affection she showed towards her shelter friends and knew that with patience and dedication, he could win her trust.
I just looked at her and said, ‘I bet everyone has given up on you. I’m not going to do that to you,‘
Rotunda told Austin Pets Alive!
For the next two months, Rotunda visited Alva every single day, working closely with the rescue’s training staff to build a bond with the hesitant pup.
Slowly but surely, Alva began to look forward to his visits, approaching him with a tentative wag of her tail.
A Home Built on Trust
Determined to give Alva the loving home she deserved, Rotunda transformed his living space into an Alva-friendly haven.
He blocked off a large area for her to play, added multiple kennels for her to relax in, and covered any hard edges that she might bump into due to her mobility issues.
When Alva finally came for a sleepover, it was clear that she had found her forever home.
The next morning, she greeted Rotunda with a joyful wag of her tail – a first for the once-fearful pup.
From that moment on, Alva became a permanent part of Rotunda’s life, bringing joy and light to his home in ways he never could have imagined.
As Alva settled into her new life, her anxiety began to melt away, replaced by a desire for cuddles, belly rubs, and the companionship of her new canine sibling, Max.
The transformation was remarkable, a testament to the power of unconditional love and the unwavering commitment of one man who refused to give up on a dog in need.
Alva’s story serves as a powerful reminder that every animal, no matter their challenges or quirks, deserves a chance at a loving home.
By taking the time to look beyond first impressions and investing in the lives of shelter pets, we can all make a difference in the world, one wagging tail at a time.