Six years is an eternity for a dog.
Imagine watching families walk past your kennel every single day. They stop, they look, and then they keep walking. For 2,190 days, you are never the one chosen.
For a sweet Husky mix named Vlad, this heartbreaking scenario was his entire reality.
He spent almost his entire life behind the cold metal bars of a shelter system. He grew from a hopeful puppy into an adult dog, waiting for a family that seemed like they were never going to arrive.
He had no idea what it felt like to sleep on a soft couch or wake up in a real home. His entire existence was just about surviving another day in a cage.
A Heartbreaking Wait in Cancun
Vlad’s story began in Cancún, Mexico, when he was just a little puppy.
Given his striking Husky features and incredibly sweet personality, the shelter staff were certain he wouldn’t be there long. They assumed adopters would line up for him the moment he was made available.
But days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. And months bled into years.
Heartbreakingly, Vlad ended up spending five long years at that shelter in Mexico. Day after day, he sat patiently at the front of his kennel, hoping someone would finally take a chance on him.
But no one ever did.
Hoping a change of scenery would bring him better luck, he was transferred to Border Tails Rescue in Illinois. The team there was ready to find him a forever family.
Yet, to their absolute shock, Vlad didn’t receive a single adoption application.
The Misunderstood Smile
Why was such a loving, energetic dog being completely ignored?
The staff at Border Tails Rescue, along with shelter dog advocates Eric Noxon and Joey Masloski, quickly realized what was holding adopters back.
It was his smile.
Vlad has a severe underbite. His bottom jaw is noticeably longer than his top jaw, giving his mouth a very unique, toothy appearance. While the shelter workers found his goofy grin absolutely adorable, it seemed to intimidate potential adopters who walked through the doors.
People were judging him purely by his unconventional looks, completely missing the heart of gold beating inside his chest.
@eric.and.joey Meet Vlad. We’re starting a new series where we do whatever the top comment says with one dog until they get adopted and Vlad is up first. Vlad is about six years old and has spent almost his entire life in the shelter system. Five years in Mexico and now with Border Tails Rescue in Illinois. He is a husky with a lot of energy, a great personality, and so much life left to live. Here’s how it works. Comment what you want us to do with Vlad next. (ON INSTAGRAM) Like the ideas you want to see most. We will do the top comment and repeat until he is adopted. Run, groom, shopping spree, or a normal dog day out. Every idea counts. If you are interested in adopting Vlad, please contact @Border Tails Rescue ♬ som original – anix nerd1
Stepping Up to Change a Life
Noxon and Masloski refused to let Vlad spend his senior years in a concrete run.
They decided to use their social media platforms to show the world the real Vlad. More importantly, Noxon decided to pull Vlad out of the shelter and personally foster him.
For the very first time in six years, Vlad was stepping into a real home.
Noxon was amazed by how quickly the Husky mix adjusted. On his very first night out of the shelter, Vlad went on a long, peaceful walk and enjoyed some much-needed playtime. He soaked up every ounce of love he was given.
He had so much energy and so much life left to live, and he was finally getting the chance to show it.
@eric.and.joey Vlad came all the way from Mexico, and for the first 5 years of his life he’s never truly known what it feels like to be in a home. And you all kept saying it… so we’re doing it. #AdventureswithVlad ♬ Viva La Vida Coldplay sped up – ol
The Adventure of a Lifetime
To make up for lost time, his foster dads decided to treat him like absolute royalty.
They wanted to give this overlooked shelter dog the ultimate VIP experience. Masloski took Vlad to a professional hockey game, where the crowd cheered as his unique smile was featured on the massive Jumbotron.
But the surprises didn’t stop there.
The friends actually took Vlad on a private charter plane, flying all the way from Chicago to Las Vegas. The dog who had spent six years sleeping on cold shelter floors was now soaring through the clouds on a private jet.
He truly had the day of his life.
@eric.and.joey After spending five years in a shelter in Mexico, Vlad had the day of his life. The top comment said, “Foster him until he gets adopted.” The same weekend we said yes, we had to be in Vegas. So we started making calls , the hotel, the conference, the plane , not knowing if any of it would work. Somehow, it all did. Vlad rode with us, stepped onto a private plane, met the pilots, got a biscuit, and slept like he’d been flying his whole life. It felt like a miracle watching him experience something so different from the life he’s known. Huge thank you to JetOut, Signature Aviation, and our special friend who helped make this happen. We’re incredibly grateful. Now we just need the final piece, Vlad’s forever home. He’s available for adoption through @Border Tails Rescue in Northbrook, Illinois. Let’s finish his story. #letsgetvladadopted ♬ оригинальный звук – junior_gd
A Perfect Forever
All the social media exposure and incredible adventures finally paid off.
The moment they had all been praying for arrived when an adopter saw Vlad’s story and instantly fell in love—underbite and all.
When Vlad finally met his new forever mama, the connection was instant. As she loaded him into her car and drove off toward his real, permanent home, Vlad couldn’t stop smiling.
And neither could anyone who helped him along his incredible journey.
After six years of waiting, the dog with the funny teeth finally got the last laugh.
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