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10th August 2023
10:54am BST
A dog that spent 500 days waiting to be adopted was heartbreakingly returned just one week later.
The American pit bull, named Drogo, was taken to the Austin Animal Center in Texas in March 2022 after his owner was evicted, Newsweek reported. They then failed to return for the three-year-old.
Drogo's luck changed last month, after almost two years in care, when someone came and adopted him.
But his forever home turned out to be anything but.
The dog tale has been breaking hearts across social media.
The Austin Animal Center documented Drogo's story on social media.
Workers said that the pooch was house and lease trained and loved car rides, but was often overlooked by potential owners.
A loving family took a chance on Drogo in July, but later returned him after he "nipped" the adopter.
The shelter shared a heartbreaking clip to TikTok, which has been viewed more than 100,000 times, in which they wrote: "When you wait 500 days to find a home and then get returned after one week.
"Shelter dogs need time to adjust to a new home. Drogo didn't even get the chance.
"Now he's back at the shelter again waiting for his real forever family.' It also added in the caption: 'We are all crushed that Drogo was returned to the shelter so quickly."
The shelter said Drogo was one of the "longest stay dogs at the shelter and now he's back again."
"He's devastated. It's not fair."
Shelter employee Kelsey Cler told Newsweek that Drogo "seems bummed" to be back at the shelter and that there hadn't been any interest in adopting him since.
Commenters were left heartbroken by Drogo's bad luck.
One wrote: "How heartbreaking. I would totally adopt him if I could. I pray his forever family gets him soon."
Another added: "I'm sorry Drogo but your forever family out there. Hoping they get to you sooner now so you don't have to keep waiting so long."
A third commenter added: It takes at least three weeks for a dog to decompress. If you adopt, give them time to adjust to your new home. Months to learn the routine."
Drogo is currently still up for adoption - with no fee required.
His profile on the shelter's website shows him cuddling up to a young girl and looking happy out and about.
A blurb reads: "As you can tell by the sweet smile, Drogo loves you already and you've only just met through a picture.
"Drogo is a charmer, and meets people so gently that it is difficult not to fall in love with him at the first encounter. When he helps train new volunteers at the shelter you can hear the ooh’s and aww’s around the room.
"Drogo loves going on walks and is super easy to walk on the leash. He also jumps right in the car and stays put on the back seat, so well-behaved! Drogo has never met a stranger, so he will be fine getting pets from everybody when you take him to your favourite coffee shop or brewery.
"And believe me, people will be asking to pet him. Did I tell you that he is a charmer? When you bring him back home, he will want to chill out with you on the couch. He thinks that he is a lap dog and no one had the heart to tell him otherwise.
"He is super house-trained and if he needs to go, he will pace in front of you. This affectionate boy is dreaming of a home where he can get unlimited pets and love from his people. He'd love to add in a few treats throughout the day too as he's very food motivated.
"He would be a perfect family dog and would prefer to be the only fur baby to get all the love and attention. Drogo has been so sweet waiting everyday for someone to be his miracle. Could that be you?"
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