At seven years old, Nikki came to our Marathon Campus having already had three previous owners. As a purebred German Shepherd, the years of inconsistency, bouncing from home to home, left her anxious, confused and unpredictable.

Nikki would blow past kennel doors, buck like a horse when being leashed, bark constantly in her kennel, kick her metal water bucket, chomp at the hose, and mouth your arm. As a 75-pound dog, these displays of frustration were overwhelming for staff and potential adopters alike. Despite being an absolutely beautiful dog, even experienced German Shepherd lovers backed away from thoughts of adoption. Knowing so many had failed her before, we were determined to find her a truly forever family this time.

We took our time. Applications came in, potential adopters were vetted, long discussions were had, and even a few meet-and-greets. Despite many wonderful potential families expressing interest, we took Nikki’s needs into consideration first, and the weeks turned into months.

With a strict routine at the shelter, Nikki grew more comfortable as she got to know us. In turn, we had a better understanding of Nikki. She loved being out in her yard, soaking in her pool, and playing with any ball. We learned she knew German commands which helped us communicate better with her. Our bond with Nikki grew as we continued the search for her forever person.

Then we met Kendall. With a lifetime of owning German Shepherds, many older, many with unstable pasts, he had lost his beloved Shepherd in January and saw Nikki’s photo on social media. During our adoption counseling session, he wasn’t swayed by anything we discussed. Frankly, he had heard stories like hers before from the Shepherds he had adopted in the past. He knew exactly how to love a dog like Nikki, and she took to him immediately.

Nikki was adopted and she jumped straight into the truck, never looking back. I never doubted her intelligence: she picked him just as much as he picked her. Now, her days are filled with swimming in the ocean, boat rides, and long afternoons sunning in the yard. Sometimes, it takes patience and belief that for every dog at our shelter there is a person and a home for everyone.