It was a sad day when Shey arrived at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. At 14 years old, the elderly miniature poodle was being turned in; his family were relocating and had awfully decided to leave him behind.

He was in a bad way when he arrived. Like most dogs his age, he had started developing problems with his hearing and eyesight. To make matters worse he also suffered from a plethora of dental problems, which once treated left him with one single tooth.

Being deaf, half-blind, and almost completely toothless, there wasn’t exactly a line out the door of adopters waiting to meet him.

In other words, Shey was undesirable, as we all know elderly dogs and those with health complications are usually the very last to get adopted at shelters and are sadly usually spend the remained of their lives there. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months yet, Shey remained without a home.

But his luck would suddenly change on the day Tristan and his mom walked into the shelter looking for a friend.

Unlike the typical prospective adopter, Tristan and his mom didn’t have a long list of criteria when it came to the dog they were looking; all the wanted was a small dog who liked cuddles.

Described by rescue employee Jessica as being ‘super sweet and always wanting to be near people’ the staff knew they had to introduce Tristan and his mom to Shey.

Although still a little bit doubtful about the likelihood of this unusual match, staff placed Shey on Tristan’s lap, and immediately Tristan was sold.

It was clear that Shey was the dog for Tristan from that moment but, now it was down to the shelter to determine if Tristan was right for Shey?

Could Tristan handle the responsibility of caring for an older dog?

So the staff sat Tristan and his mother down and began breaking down Sheys’ medical history and special needs. It was clear that Tristan meant business when he whipped out his phone and began inserting dates and appointments into his calendar, they were impressed with Tristan’s curiosity, understanding, and attentiveness.

With the staff at the shelter describing Tristan as ‘mindful and mature’ and ‘very respectful of what Shey could and couldn’t handle’ the decision was an easy one to make and soon enough Shey was going home with Tristan.

Despite the long wait, Shey finally found a home and is loving every minute of it, he can often be found in Tristan’s arms having a good ol’ cuddle.

Tristan is making up for the four months in the shelter with plenty of snuggles.

Although Shey’s wait for a family was months long after being abandoned, Tristan is doing everything he can to make up for lost time.