Before his owner was deployed for military service, JP was living his best life, being the cutest and most playful pup. When his owner left, he was taken in by Bideawee Animal Shelter, and the poor dog has remained there ever since.

When JP first arrived at the shelter, he was full of energy and greeted everyone with enthusiasm. He had a bright, lively spirit and was always eager to make new friends. However, five years of living in a shelter have taken a toll on JP.

“He’s become a little more selective about who he spends time with;” said Melissa Treuman, Senior Director of Development and Communication at Bideawee. “But it’s not his fault. This kind of reaction is typical in a shelter environment. The constant changes have made him more cautious around new people. However, he still adores his Bideawee caretakers. While he enjoys the attention and care he gets here, it’s no substitute for the warmth of a loving home.”

Around familiar faces, JP’s personality shines through. He loves cuddling, belly rubs, and devouring any treats offered to him. Exploring the outdoors is one of his favorite activities; and he’s usually up for anything when he’s with people he trusts. It might take a bit of time for him to warm up to new faces, but once he does, his affection is boundless. JP has become a favorite among the staff and volunteers at the shelter, who have grown deeply attached to him over the years.

“One of our volunteers is so attached to him that she visits him every single day during her lunch break,” Treuman shared.

JP’s shyness and cautious demeanor are products of his prolonged stay at the shelter. If they any early adoption for JP, he might still be the confident, outgoing dog he once was. Sadly, his size has been a barrier to finding his forever home.

“Unfortunately, his story is not unique,” Treuman noted. “New data from Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report shows that while 66% of people said they’re likely to adopt a dog from a shelter, only 24% of people said they are likely to adopt a large dog. That is fewer than 1 in 4 people. According to Shelter Animals Count, large dogs have experienced a doubled length of stay since 2019.”

Despite the challenges, JP remains hopeful. His perfect family is out there somewhere; and his friends at Bideawee have taken extra steps to help him find it. A generous supporter has fully covered JP’s adoption fee; and Hill’s Pet Nutrition is offering his adopter a year’s supply of Science Diet Senior Vitality dog food. Additionally, his new family will receive a complimentary four-week training package with GoodPup.

JP would thrive in a quiet home without young children or other pets. He has so much love to give and longs for a family to share it with. He’s been waiting a long time, but with a bit of luck, his wait might soon be over.