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One of the hardest parts of working at a shelter has to be watching dogs light up with hope on adoption day, only to see them sink back into sadness when they’re passed over again. Even in the best-run shelters, the reality is that they’re not forever homes, and every dog there deserves one.
Franny, a gentle pup with a big heart, had been waiting four long months in a Pennsylvania shelter. She was well-cared for and loved by the staff, but they could tell she was longing for something more. Every time she was taken outside, she seemed to think it might be her big moment. And each time, her face would fall when it wasn’t.
Danielle Baughman, one of the shelter workers, noticed it too. She often took Franny out and saw how the dog dragged her paws when it was time to come back in. It felt like Franny believed she was going to meet a family, only to be let down again.
One day, a volunteer named Lindsay took Franny out for a little adventure. She saw that same look of sadness when they came back. That moment stuck with her, and not long after, Lindsay came back—not just for a walk, but for a sleepover. Franny got to spend a whole night in Lindsay’s home, and she couldn’t have been happier.
It didn’t take long for Lindsay to realize she didn’t want to say goodbye. The next morning, after a little more time together, they headed back to the shelter. Franny, not knowing what was coming, looked heartbroken again. But this time was different. Lindsay wasn’t dropping her off—she was signing the adoption papers.
Franny was officially going home.
For Danielle, it was one of those moments she would never forget. The caring woman loves to share these kinds of happy endings in the hopes they’ll inspire more people to adopt. And Franny’s story definitely struck a chord on TikTok.
One person commented, “Oh she was so sad to be brought back. And so happy to leave.” Another shared, “I had my girl Lena for two days and I had to bring her back to the shelter so I could also sign her papers… She was so relieved when I brought her home.”
