Dog who “couldn’t find anyone to love her” is adopted after 1,030 days

The phrase “good things come to those who wait” seems to be true for one dog, who finally found her forever home after 1,030 days.

Nova the pit bull’s luck changed for the better last month, as the Fox 2 news station featured her story in a bid to find her a family. Fortunately, the news segment dedicated to the three-year-old dog captured the hearts of Helen and Ed Golas.

The couple from Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, adopted Nova on November 5 from Great Lakes Bully Brigade.

Helen, 67, told Newsweek: “It feels like she has been here her whole life!”

Nova has spent most of her life in a foster carer’s home and didn’t receive any interest from people who were put off by her disability.

The canine suffers from megaesophagus, a combination disorder whereby the esophagus (the tube that carries food and liquid between the mouth and stomach) gets bigger and loses its ability to move food into the stomach, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.

Jackie Smith, the shelter’s founding board member and director, looked after Nova for two years and nine months.

Smith told Newsweek: “Nova’s case is well managed currently by eating soft oatmeal-like consistence food in a Bailey chair, which is a high chair. Due to the enlargement of her esophagus she needs to drink water from a raised bowl and should be walked on a harness. Due to her special medical needs Nova was overlooked by many adopters.”

However, Helen was unfazed by the condition and instantly wanted to know more about the canine. She recalls watching the news and falling in love with Nova.

Helen told Newsweek: “The moment I saw her sweet little face and heard what her special needs were, I had to show this to my husband. So we watched the story again and that is when I noticed he, as well as I, had tears in our eyes and wondered what was so hard about feeding her differently, she looked so normal and so full of life.

“I needed to see this special-needs dog who couldn’t find anyone to love her forever.”

Helen reached out to the shelter based in Allen Park, Michigan, and before she knew it, she was meeting Nova for the first time on October 29.

“They showed us how she had to eat out of a special Bailey chair, which they brought with them. Also, what food she would need to eat and how to prepare it – nothing too difficult to handle,” Helen said.

The following day, Nova was allowed to sleep over at the couple’s home and it became clear that she was there to stay.

“I am pretty sure we both agreed that night we would keep her. She hasn’t been in a crate since we got her, she’s been sleeping on the couch every night by herself, except the first night, my husband slept with her all night!”

After spending so much time with Nova, Smith admits saying goodbye wasn’t easy.

She told Newsweek: “I know all of us at Great Lakes Bully Brigade cried happy tears for Nova. It is always hard to say goodbye but the best is seeing the update photos and stories after they are adopted and being able to help another dog in need.”

On November 5, the shelter shared the exciting news on Facebook and users couldn’t be happier for the trio.

An excerpt from the post says: “We are so grateful that after all this time our sweet girl is in a home where she is loved and cared for, and even though she is a special needs dog, her family believes she is perfect and willing to give her the chance she always needed.”

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.