Vito, a senior dog who spent 13 years waiting for a home, has finally found his perfect match in a man who understands the patience and care required to build trust with a dog in need. After years in shelters and a decade at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, Vito’s journey to finding a family took an unexpected turn this year, just in time for the holidays.
Vito’s long wait for a forever home was marked by a series of challenges. Entering the shelter system as a puppy, he spent years looking for a family. However, his biting behavior made it difficult to find a suitable adopter, and he eventually moved to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where he was promised care for life, whether or not he found a family.
But then, in March 2024, a visitor to the sanctuary named Casey Black noticed Vito. Black, who had experience caring for wolves at the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Center in Golden, British Columbia, was drawn to Vito because he resembled one of his former dogs. He learned about Vito’s behavioral challenges and recognized that his background working with wolves could make him the ideal person to help the dog.
Black began volunteering at the sanctuary, and over several visits, he worked with Vito, taking him on camping trips and sleepovers to build trust. “It took probably over two months before I could really pet him on the back,” Black recalls. “He certainly has come around, and he’s definitely in better shape and stronger than he was when I got him.”
By March, after multiple successful outings, Black officially adopted Vito. The bond they share has only grown stronger, with Vito now traveling regularly with Black across North America, enjoying long walks in the wilderness. Despite his age—13 years old—Vito is thriving in his new life.
“He loves to go for walks, and you can tell he’s happy with the way he hops around,” says Black. “He’s my best friend. He goes everywhere with me, and I think he feels the same way.”
Vito’s story is a reminder that there is always hope for pets, no matter how long their wait for a home may be. With patience, love, and understanding, every dog can find their perfect match. As Black reflects on their journey together, he admits, “I wish I could have got him earlier. People can’t believe he’s 13 years old.”
For Vito, 2024 has truly been a year of new beginnings.
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