The Joy of a Forever Home: A Black Lab’s Happy Beginning in 2019
For the dedicated volunteers who tirelessly work within the walls of animal shelters, there is perhaps no greater reward than witnessing a long-term furry resident finally take those tentative yet hopeful steps into their forever home. That feeling of a successful match, of a deserving animal finding their loving family, is truly priceless and undoubtedly makes every hour of hard work, every moment of emotional investment, entirely worthwhile.
When Rigsby, a handsome black Labrador, found what appeared to be his perfect family back in 2019, the devoted caregivers at the Maryland rescue organization couldn’t have been happier. Rigsby had gained not just a house, but a loving home, caring owners who seemed genuinely committed to his well-being, and what everyone believed would be the start of a long and fulfilling life. The volunteers waved goodbye to their sweet boy, their hearts filled with joy and the assumption that Rigsby’s days of uncertainty were finally over.
Little did they know that a mere six years later, the secure and happy life Rigsby had come to know would be abruptly and cruelly snatched away. Rigsby, once a cherished member of a family, was found abandoned and alone in a public park, with only his collar tags bearing silent witness to his former connection.
A Heartbreaking Reversal: Abandonment Shatters a Seemingly Perfect Ending
Black dog syndrome, the unfortunate phenomenon where dark-colored dogs in shelters often face longer wait times for adoption, is a persistent and heartbreaking reality for rescues across the United States. Fortunately, this bias hadn’t prevented Rigsby from finding his seemingly perfect match. This sweet and gentle boy was happily adopted into what appeared to be a loving forever home in 2019 by a family who seemed ideal.
The volunteers at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Maryland were overjoyed. They showered their beloved resident with final cuddles, offered heartfelt farewells, and believed they were sending him off to a life of happiness and security.
Then, six years and one devastating phone call later, everything irrevocably changed. Rigsby, now a senior dog at the age of ten, was discovered all alone and vulnerable in a local park, his only companions his rabies and collar tags. He had been callously abandoned by the very adopters who had once promised him a lifetime of love, claiming they simply no longer wanted him.
“Rigsby is a 10 year old lab who was dumped at a dog park with his rabies tag and a name tag that says #SWEETHRT & #ICHASECATS ☹️ His owners were called and they do not want him back,” a heartbroken volunteer named Madeline shared on Instagram, the emojis poignantly conveying the injustice of Rigsby’s situation.
Rigsby’s predicament was utterly devastating. He did not deserve such a cruel and abrupt ending to what was supposed to be his happy ever after. Yet, when the rescuers brought him back to their facility, Rigsby displayed nothing but his characteristic sweetness and gentle nature. He was still the genuinely loving dog they remembered from all those years ago – reliably potty trained, well-socialized, and eager to make new friends, his resilient spirit shining through the pain of his abandonment.
However, a closer examination also revealed the physical toll time and neglect had taken. Rigsby exhibited muscle wasting on his hips and had developed a fatty tumor, indicating that he required ongoing and permanent hospice care to manage his comfort and well-being.
A Beacon of Hope: A Second Chance in a Hospice Foster Home
They say that when one door closes, another one opens, and in Rigsby’s case, this adage proved to be profoundly true. Despite the heartbreaking circumstances of his abandonment, a new glimmer of hope emerged for the senior Lab within just a few short days.
Thanks to the swift action and compassionate network of an organization called The Forgotten Pet Advocates, Rigsby found what promised to be the perfect foster home with a kind woman named Linda and her own dog, Bentley.
Making the situation even more serendipitous, Linda had been actively searching for a senior black dog to foster, specifically wanting to provide comfort and care in their golden years. Rigsby’s situation presented itself as if it were meant to be, a perfect alignment of need and opportunity. “He will be spoiled rotten and most of all loved. His every wish will come true. He couldn’t be in a better place,” The Forgotten Pet Advocates enthusiastically shared on Facebook, their words brimming with the promise of a loving and peaceful final chapter for Rigsby.
The only remaining question was how Rigsby would integrate into Linda and Bentley’s established lives. But within mere minutes of their first encounter, the three connected with an ease and warmth as if they had been together all along. It was a clear indication that this new arrangement was truly meant to be, a harmonious blend of companionship and care.
Today, Rigsby and his new family are inseparable. “Rigsby has settled right in perfectly and Bentley is so happy to have him there! They sleep side by side and Rigsby just wants to be near both, his brother and his Mama! We couldn’t be happier for this sweet boy,” The Forgotten Pet Advocates joyfully concluded, their update painting a picture of a senior dog finally finding the peace and love he so deserved. After the heartbreak of his abandonment, Rigsby has finally found the perfect place to spend his remaining time, surrounded by affection and comfort, a testament to the enduring power of compassion and the unwavering dedication of those who advocate for forgotten pets.
