Blessed are those who have a second chance. Not all stray dogs suffer. Every year, many stray dogs are put to sleep without a chance to start over. In many cases, these poor dogs actually have a chance to become someone’s cherished family member. Fortune smiled upon Thoreau. He was a resident of a decommissioned psychiatric hospital. He did not cross the rainbow bridge like many of his fellow citizens. Toro created a new family, a new start in life. Couldn’t be more grateful for that.
Once the adoption process is over, your child’s true reaction will have an impact like never before.
Thoreau, this guy.
A rescued dog sits in a woman’s arms
Before Toro was “The Hugging Toro,” he was Toro, a rescue dog tied to a fence outside an abandoned building.
Needless to say, she was in desperate need of a name change. That changed in 2019, when Thoreau and two friends were rescued by the Hempstead Animal Shelter.
Thoreau was six years old at the time and they thought there was always a dog outside. Can you imagine? Poor Thoreau never went inside for fun or refuge!
When Toro first arrived at the shelter, he was so nervous and completely distrustful of Huma who was trying to help him. But he soon proved to be quite helpless, and the rescuers quickly gained his trust.
There was no sign left of Toro’s shyness. The rescue pup soon became popular for one special trait: he was a big hugger and loved hugging everyone, everywhere.
One day, when he was playing outside with Melissa, his caregiver at the shelter, Toro came right up to her, pressed his chest onto hers, and gave her a big doggy hug.
He has been hugging people ever since.
What Happened With Toro?
It’s always difficult to have older dogs adopted, especially crossbreeds like Toro. He’s a Pitbull mix, and we all know the kind of prejudices Pitbulls have to face.
Poor Toro spent two years at the shelter, but he didn’t lose his hope. It wasn’t written in the stars for Toro to grow up in the shelter.
Toro was finally adopted in 2022!
He even sent everyone a message, so they would know he’s doing fine:
“Hi, friends! Thank you for all the love! I have been enjoying my new life, learning new routines, and enjoying long walks. I have seen a few deer, and I’m always very curious about them. My favorite thing so far is to sit in the back yard in the afternoon, roll around in the grass, and listen to the birds. I’m still decompressing, but I love it here, and my humans love me so much! I am very grateful to everyone at the shelter. The volunteers took care of me before finding my new home, and I am thankful to all of you who follow and show you care about me. Because of all of you, I now have a forever home!”
Of course, Toro gave everyone hugs as he left the shelter to be united with his new family. This Pitbull mix is one unique puppy that the staff members at the Hempstead Animal Shelter will never forget.
