Countless deserving dogs wait for their forever family at shelters, rescues and foster homes all across the world. Sadly, some never find a place to call home. One such dog was likely going to spend her entire life at the Villalobos rescue center run by Tia Torres and her amazing family.

Summer, a senior dog at Villalobos, has been with the Torres family longer than any other dog at their facility. Tia pretty much gave up hope that Summer would have ever her happily ever after. The Torres family did their best to accommodate the sweet pooch and have given her the love and attention she deserves.

Tia says, “She and my kids basically grew up together.” That’s how long Summer has been at Villalobos. Since 8 weeks old, Summer has lived at the rescue center. She is now getting on in age. It breaks Tia’s heart that no one ever stepped up to take the sweet girl in.

“Through no fault of her own, she’s still here. She got overlooked,” Tia says in the video below. At this point, Summer’s age is affecting her physically. She has bad arthritis, so bad in fact that her legs are awkwardly bent. She moves a bit slower. But mentally, she is a happy, grateful dog.

There are many canine residents at the rescue center because the Torres family doesn’t have the heart to turn any dog away. As adopters come in looking for the perfect companion, Tia and her family try to listen to what they are looking for. The family also learns about their homes, and match them up appropriately. They’re usually given several dogs to choose from. The families then meet the ‘candidates’ and pick the one that best suits them. Despite being an option many times for adopters, Summer was never chosen.

Then, miraculously, an application came in specifically for Summer. Eileen, the potential adopter, saw Summer on the Villalobos senior page, and knew instantly that Summer belonged with her. The Torres family couldn’t wait for Eileen to come and meet the deserving dog.

At the center, Summer slowly walks into room, her age obviously showing. But this doesn’t deter Eileen. She gets onto the floor, at Summer’s level, to say hi.

Summer’s tail begins to wag. It’s the sweetest thing to see! The Torres family is always upfront and fair to all the adopters and explains that with Summer’s advanced age and health, they doubt she will make it a full year. Would this deter Eileen?

No.

Eileen simply says: “She needs us.”

Eileen then explains that if she didn’t adopt Summer and found out she passed away while at the center, never having the opportunity to be in a home, it would break her heart. The next step for Eileen was a no-brainer.

Watch the video below to see what happens next! And please remember, ALL dogs deserve a forever home. No matter their age!