Couple wanted to adopt one shelter dog — but fell for three of them. ‘So grateful’
A couple wanted one Florida shelter dog — then adopted three of them.
“It was an incredible thing to watch a family come in, meet one dog, then fall in love with two others, too,” Samantha Ahnen, community engagement manager for the Jacksonville Humane Society, told McClatchy News via email. “We are so grateful to folks like this family who open their hearts and homes to homeless pets, especially those who are older and have some health concerns.”
One of the dogs, Piccolo, got a fresh start after he landed at the shelter in early February. The “special” dog needed a home after his previous family couldn’t provide adequate medical care. He didn’t have most of his teeth and was in rough shape.
“Piccolo was 12-years-old, his fur was severely matted, and his tongue always stuck out to the side,” the shelter wrote Feb. 18 on Facebook.
Over time, the shelter believed he would be an ideal candidate for its Senior Spotlight, a social media series that sometimes highlights older dogs waiting for new owners.
“Piccolo is a very sweet and enthusiastic pup,” Ahnen wrote in her email. “Despite his age, Piccolo has an adventurous personality and loves going on long walks, playing, and making new human friends.”
But Piccolo never made it into a Senior Spotlight post. Instead, his luck changed when he caught the eye of two shelter visitors.
“One day, a lovely couple visited JHS looking to adopt a small dog,” the humane society wrote. “Little did they know they would leave with THREE. These folks not only adopted Piccolo, but also 9-year-old Max and 15-year-old Victor.”
Max and Victor had arrived at the shelter after their previous families “made the selfless decision” to surrender them, helping them get proper medical care, according to Ahnen. They are described as “lovable and social pups” who have health conditions but defy expectations for older dogs.
The dogs’ heartwarming adoption resonated with several social media users. While some praised the couple for giving the trio a home, others said the good news made them emotional.
“Awww, I’m not crying, you’re crying. Happy tears, here,” a Facebook user posted. “Thankful to this lovely couple for giving Piccolo, Max, and Victor the opportunity to live out their golden years in a loving home.”
“Everyone at JHS was misty-eyed the day these 3 were adopted,” Ahnen wrote.
This story was originally published February 20, 2025 at 10:13 AM with the headline "Couple wanted to adopt one shelter dog — but fell for three of them. ‘So grateful’."
