A Heartbreaking Farewell
Martin, a sweet senior dog, had known nothing but love in his home for his entire life—until that all changed.
His owner, an 89-year-old man, reached a point where he could no longer provide Martin the care he deserved.
Although it broke his heart, he knew it was the right decision to bring Martin to the SPCA of Wake County, hoping someone else would offer him the love and attention he needed in his golden years.
Saying goodbye was hard, but his owner’s only wish was for Martin to find a family who would adore him.
A ‘Perfect’ Dog, But No One Would Keep Him
From the moment Martin arrived at the shelter, his gentle nature shone through. His soft, teddy bear-like face made him an instant favorite among the staff.
Despite his age and slight hearing loss, Martin was house-trained, great with kids, and friendly with other dogs. Yet, every time someone took him home, they returned him—seven times in just two months.
Martin couldn’t understand why no one wanted him. He didn’t know what he was doing wrong.
A Desperate Attempt to Help Martin
The shelter staff refused to give up. They knew the problem wasn’t Martin; he simply hadn’t found his forever home.
So, they shared a heartfelt plea on Facebook, hoping someone would finally see the loving dog beneath the surface:
“Martin truly is the best boy. His previous owner described him as extremely gentle, especially with kids. He loved to cuddle up with their grandkids so they could nap on him. He’s great with people of all ages, including seniors, gets along with dogs of all sizes and energy levels, and is both housetrained and crate-trained.”
They hoped their message would reach the right person—and then, everything changed.
Going Viral—And Finding His Perfect Family
The post quickly went viral, amassing nearly 3,000 shares within 48 hours. The shelter was overwhelmed with adoption applications and had to close submissions.
Among the flood of applicants, one couple stood out. They specialized in senior dog care and weren’t deterred by Martin’s age or heartworm disease. They simply fell in love with him.
And just like that, Martin’s life took a turn for the better.
A Happy Ending He Deserved
Today, Martin is living the life he always dreamed of, surrounded by all the love and cuddles he could ever want.
He’s even become such a local celebrity that when his new family took him to a pet store, the staff immediately recognized him and asked, “Is that Martin?!”
Though the SPCA of Wake County misses him dearly, they’re overjoyed that Martin has finally found his forever home.
