Yonkers pit bull adoption story goes viral

She fell through the cracks, spending an unprecedented 11 years in the Yonkers Animal Shelter. But what might have been the tragic story of the now elderly female pit bull has a happy ending: Olive has a home.

When the good news broke, the story went viral, turning up on national news outlets, including The Huffington Post.

Animal lovers in the Lower Hudson Valley and beyond are overjoyed about this success, pledging to find homes for more longtime shelter residents, however long it takes.

"What I think of this story is that, it’s not just 'how come no one paid attention to her for 11 years?’ People did. They were well-meaning. People contributed," said Adele Conner, a longtime volunteer for the Yonkers shelter, who once spearheaded the effort to save Olive from potential euthanasia years back. “This is a story of a lot of people coming forward."

One difficulty in finding Olive a home, Conner explained, is the unique set of challenges involved in caring for an older dog with some behavioral challenges. Olive isn't great at dealing with strangers, making it even more difficult to attract potential adopters.

"In this case, we needed a person who had a very special skill set... Now that’s what happened," she said.

Olive was taken to the Yonkers shelter about 11 years ago. The shelter was still at its old location on Fullerton Avenue, an overcrowded municipal facility with very low foot traffic. The animals housed there had a tough time finding new homes.

Pauline Baba, 52, of Yonkers was one of the shelter volunteers who took Olive for walks on weekends.

“She was there for so long. She knew the whole routine,” Baba said. “She’s always been good with me. She was one of my favorite dogs."

Because of a lack of space, the shelter was forced to euthanize dogs that had a tough time getting adopted.

Conner, who also walked Olive regularly, said she had feared Olive could be eventually put on the shelter's euthanasia list. So she moved Olive to a boarding facility while searching for someone who was willing to adopt the dog. Many people chipped in to help finance Olive's boarding fees, Conner said.

At least two adopters stepped up for Olive, but both failed after taking her in. Olive's character requires an owner with a lot of patience who can give her significant attention, Conner said. Meanwhile, the Yonkers shelter moved to its current, more spacious facility in 2013, and Olive moved back in.

Dogs at the new facility get more exposure to potential adopters and the shelter’s Facebook page has also been helpful. But Olive, now a senior dog, had no luck finding a new home — until Sept. 28, when a veterinary technician from Connecticut who has had years of experience with senior dogs adopted her.

The adopter declined to reveal her identity but encouraged readers to check the status on a Facebook page dedicated to Olive.

Olive appears to be adjusting to her new environment well, according to photos posted on Facebook, where she is shown sporting a new pink leash bearing her name.

"We've learned through trial and error. She needed the person like the one who adopted her now," Conner said. "Olive deserves this, and I could not be happier."

Almira Simpson, director of the Yonkers Animal Shelter, said she has all confidence in Olive's adopter, because she'd successfully adopted another shelter dog with minor behavioral issues many years ago.

"She just needed the right home. Once she gets to know you, she's wonderful," Simpson said.

Erika Murphy of Bronxville, who also knows Olive through her years of volunteering for the Yonkers shelter, agreed, though she noted that there are many dogs who need homes in the Lower Hudson Valley.

For example, Murphy said she has been praying for a similar miracle for Sheba, a 9-year-old shepherd mix with some personality concerns, who now lives in the Ulster County SPCA after spending five years in the Yonkers shelter.

"She can't be just with any dogs. She can't be with any cats. She can't be petted that much. She needs a specific person to adopt her," Murphy said. "Otherwise, she's a really great dog."

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