Senior Dog with Cancer Finds His Forever Home
No animal should spend their entire lives in an animal shelter. Unfortunately, this was what the future looked like for one pitbull named Toretto.
Nine years old and living with cancer, he was far from the first pick for people looking to adopt a dog. Toretto was found as a stray and had passed his fourth year at the Humane Society of Imperial County.
It was beginning to look like he would live out his final years there until something truly miraculous happened.
One kindly person who had a soft spot for senior dogs came along and offered to foster Toretto during the COVID19 crisis. Little did he know that he would be getting a whole lot more than just a foster dog.
1. The Dogs that Wait to Be Adopted
No kill animal shelters are uncommon and hard to come by, many animal shelters are known to put down adopted pets after 48-72 hours.
And even in those shelters who refuse to euthanize pets, there are different lengths of time dogs will wait to be adopted.
1. The Dogs that Wait to Be Adopted
Puppies for example usually spend less than a month before being adopted, whereas adult dogs can wait for around 42 days.
However, there was one very special dog that had to wait an unusually long period of time before finally finding his forever home, despite the fact he was a friendly pup with a heart of gold.
2. Meet Toretto, Another Dog Waiting for Adoption
Toretto is a pitbull who was originally found as a stray and rescued by the Humane Society of Imperial County in El Centro, California.
Like all the other dogs in the shelter, Toretto hoped to someday find a loving family to open their home to him.
2. Meet Toretto, Another Dog Waiting for Adoption
Unfortunately, Toretto was not the only dog who needed a loving home.
He had spent an extremely long amount of time at the shelter compared to other dogs, in fact, it took four years before someone finally brought him home!
The shelter thankfully never gave up on him.
3. The Humane Society of Imperial County
The Humane Society of Imperial County is an animal shelter and NGO that aims to find forever homes for orphaned pets and “enhance the relationship between animals and people through education.”
They are also a no kill animal shelter that never gives up on finding an animal a loving home.
3. The Humane Society of Imperial County
One of their challenges is their location in a rural area, which limits their resources in comparison to shelters in urban areas.
But this wasn’t the only challenge that would get in the way of Toretto’s adoption, there were many more obstacles that he would have to face.
4. Toretto Had the Odds Stacked Against Him
While Toretto was an adorable and friendly dog, he had a lot stacked against him when it came to being adopted. Toretto was a pitbull and an older dog, which is notoriously overlooked by people looking to adopt.
In fact, dogs over the age of seven make up only 25% of adoptions. Toretto was nine years old.
4. Toretto Had the Odds Stacked Against Him
Usually, when families look to adopt a new pet they opt for a dog that is only a few months to a couple of years old.
This makes it very difficult for dogs like Toretto to find a home.
And that wasn’t the only obstacle Toretto had in his path to adoption.
5. Toretto Wasn’t Just Old, He Was Sick Too
In addition to his age, Toretto’s health was not in the best condition.
He had inoperable cancer in his nose, which meant that whoever adopted him would have to take him for treatments and medical care, a responsibility that not everyone is willing to undertake. This only added to the difficulties of finding him a family.
5. Toretto Wasn’t Just Old, He Was Sick Too. Michael Levitt
Once the coronavirus hit, shelters all over the country increased their efforts to find homes or foster families for the animals.
But it seemed that a dog like Toretto didn’t stand a chance, and due to his poor health he likely did not have many years left to live.
6. Shelters Were Facing Difficult Times Ahead
Shelters were hit hard by the COVID crisis, given that many shelters are NGOs and operate based on donations, they were facing tough economic times.
But they also feared that there would be an influx of abandoned pets due to the pandemic, which would only make things worse.
6. Shelters Were Facing Difficult Times Ahead
People dealing with financial difficulties or uncertainty would be more likely to bring their pets to a shelter, this was a situation that shelters feared most.
While under their own financial strain, the last thing they needed was an influx of abandoned pets.
7. Would He Spend the Rest of His Life in the Shelter?
With pitbulls being a breed of dogs that many people have a bias against, plus his age and illness, things were not looking great for Toretto.
As he was reaching his fourth year in the shelter, the hopes of him finding a permanent home grew weaker and weaker.
7. Would He Spend the Rest of His Life in the Shelter?
Even though Toretto was a well behaved dog with a heart full of love, he was regularly overlooked by potential adopters in favor of younger and healthier pets.
Toretto living out the rest of his life in an animal shelter seemed like it might become a reality.
8. He Finally Found a Foster Home
In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, Toretto was miraculously given the chance for a better quality of life.
One generous couple came around to open their hearts and homes to this dog who had spent so many years without a family.
8. He Finally Found a Foster Home
Michael Levitt and his partner Marc Loren were the angels who graced the life of this poor dog.
They already had two dogs of their own, but being animal lovers they wanted to open their home to foster a third, at least for a temporary period of time during the pandemic.
9. The Perfect Family to Foster Toretto
Michael Levitt was a TV producer in Southern California, but he was also a board member for The Grey Muzzle Organization.
The goal of this Non-Government organization was to find loving homes for at-risk elderly dogs, that meant dogs who were in the same situation as Toretto!
9. The Perfect Family to Foster Toretto
The Grey Muzzle Organization believes that senior dogs also deserve a loving home “to live out their golden years, months, weeks, or even days in a place of love, security, and peace.”
It seemed to be serendipity that Michael would be on the board of such an organization.
10. The Grey Muzzle Organization
In addition to helping older dogs get adopted by supporting shelters, The Grey Muzzle Organization also provides funding to get medical treatment for sick dogs.
They believe that older dogs deserve the same chance to find families as younger dogs.
10. The Grey Muzzle Organization
Even when a dog is terminally ill, they still make an effort to help them live their remaining days as happily as possible.
Toretto is precisely the type of dog this organization tries to help. Michael’s love and care for older dogs made Toretto the perfect fit.
But was he ready to adopt?
11. Looking for a Foster Dog
Michael and his partner already had two dogs of their own at home, Trooper and Nelson.
They weren’t quite sure if they wanted a third member to their fur family, but they knew that they definitely wanted to lend a hand to shelters during the pandemic.
11. Looking for a Foster Dog
Michael was aware that many shelters were looking for foster families to care for dogs temporarily before they could find a forever home.
He searched online for a dog that he could potentially foster, and that’s when he came across a video from the Humane Society of Imperial County about Toretto.
12. “He’s as Sweet as Sugar”
The video features an excited and playful Toretto running around outside and rolling on the grass.
The volunteers at the shelters introduce him and let people know that he’s well behaved, friendly, and gets along with other dogs. “He’s as sweet as sugar,” the person behind the camera tells the viewers.
12. “He’s as Sweet as Sugar”
It’s nearly impossible to watch this video without having your heart melt.
It’s no wonder that once Michael laid his eyes on Toretto he fell completely in love with him.
He instantly knew that Toretto was the dog he wanted to foster.
13. He Knew Toretto Was the Right Choice
“He had me at his video that I saw online in which volunteers at the shelter were pleading for somebody to come rescue him,” Michael explained in one interview.
Michael was totally enamored by Toretto’s spunky personality. If he was on the fence about fostering, that video pushed him over the edge!
13. He Knew Toretto Was the Right Choice
“We knew we needed to do our part to help dogs in our shelter during this COVID crisis,” he went on to say.
Of all the dogs Michael and Marc could have fostered, it was fate that they should come across Toretto.
14. “He Still Has His Spirit”
Michael describes what exactly it was about Toretto that drew him to foster him.
There were dozens of dogs he could have potentially fostered, but there was something special about Toretto that made him stand out among the rest.
14. “He Still Has His Spirit”
“It was seeing Toretto in that video in which he still has his spirit, full of happiness, in spite of the fact that he’s sat in a shelter for four years, that made us want to step up and foster him.”
Toretto was truly a special dog in Michael’s eyes, and nothing would deter him from bringing him home.
15. Nothing Would Stop Him from Fostering Toretto
Once Michael had already fallen in love with Toretto, there was no obstacle too difficult that could prevent him from bringing this dog home.
The couple knew that Toretto was not only an older dog but also that he had cancer. Those factors were what made it so difficult for Toretto to get adopted in the first place, but Michael and Marc were no ordinary family.
15. Nothing Would Stop Him from Fostering Toretto. Michael Levitt
Their determination to foster Toretto in their home was not shaken by his age or his health problems.
“I knew what I signed up for,” Michael said.
16. Dealing with a Dog who Has Health Issues
Having a sick pet can pose a lot of problems, especially when that illness is as severe as cancer.
Not only does it involve taking the dog to surgeries, treatments, and other forms of medical care (which can be quite costly!), but it also severely decreases the animal’s lifespan.
16. Dealing with a Dog who Has Health Issues
Getting attached to a dog that may soon pass away can be incredibly difficult for pet owners to deal with.
Despite these difficulties, Michael and Marc still wanted to bring Toretto home, it seemed that there was nothing that could get in the way of them fostering him.
17. “I always felt we were a two-dog family”
In the beginning, Michael thought that Toretto would only be a foster dog that he would keep for a shorter period of time.
He never planned for him to become a permanent addition to the family, just a temporary addition until they could find him a forever home.
17. “I always felt we were a two-dog family”
The couple already had two big dogs at home and did not ever expect to expand their dog family to three.
“My partner Marc and I always felt we were a two-dog family” Michael said.
But there was to be an unexpected twist that Michael could not have predicted.
18. Something Truly Incredible Happened When Michael Met Toretto
When Michael went to the shelter to pick up Toretto something truly incredible happened.
The moment he laid eyes on the friendly dog he knew that he was something special.
His original plans involved Toretto only being a temporary foster dog, but that was no longer possible.
18. Something Truly Incredible Happened When Michael Met Toretto
There was no way he would be okay with giving up Toretto after fostering him, he wanted to keep him forever.
Michael was now fully ready to make Toretto a permanent member of his family!
The only explanation is puppy love at first sight.
19. How Could Anyone Have Passed Him Up?
After Toretto spent so many years of his life in a shelter waiting to be adopted, Michael and Marc feel so lucky to have found him.
It’s clear to see that Toretto brings so much joy to their lives, and they wouldn’t give him up for the world.
19. How Could Anyone Have Passed Him Up?
They are truly puzzled that Toretto was sitting around in a shelter for four whole years, and can’t imagine why anyone would pass up the chance to bring home such a special dog!
And that’s not where their love and dedication for Toretto ends.
20. Helping Toretto Overcome his Illness
Micahel and Marc are also determined to help Toretto overcome his cancer, whatever medical attention that may entail.
In fact, Toretto is set to undergo treatment for his nose cancer soon, and everyone is hopeful that it will go smoothly and successfully.
20. Helping Toretto Overcome his Illness
If the treatments go well, then Toretto can expect to have a few more years added to his life.
It’s lucky for him that Michael fell in love with him so quickly, which isn’t always common for foster dogs.
The sooner Toretto gets the medical help he needs the longer his life can be!
21. It Took No Time for Toretto to Win Their Hearts
Usually, it can take a bit of time for a foster dog to win over a new family’s heart if it ever happens.
Toretto was truly an exception in this case, as Michael says, “It took about an hour for us to decide that we wanted to make him a permanent part of our family.
21. It Took No Time for Toretto to Win Their Hearts
After only a few weeks, and with the two dogs they already had, Toretto became fully integrated into their family!
“It’s been such a smooth transition bringing Toretto into the family. It’s like he’s been part of the pack for a long time.”
22. He Acts Just Like a Puppy
Even though Toretto is an older dog of nine years, Michael feels like he has just brought home a puppy!
He explains that Toretto’s behavior is very youthful, not at all what one might expect from a senior dog.
It just goes to show you that not all stereotypes are accurate!
22. He Acts Just Like a Puppy
“He has puppy-like qualities, maybe because he’s spent a large part of his life in a shelter,” Michael was quoted saying in one article.
It sounds like Toretto is finally getting to live the life that every dog deserves, and is finally experiencing things he should have experienced long ago.
23. “It’s Been Beautiful to See Him Discover Simple Things”
Michael simply adores being able to introduce Toretto to all the things he never got to enjoy while in the shelter.
“It’s been beautiful to see him discover simple things that seem to bring him such joy,” Michael says. At first, there was a lot that Toretto had to learn, like jumping into their car or bed, but now he’s a natural!
23. “It’s Been Beautiful to See Him Discover Simple Things”
Now Toretto loves jumping on the bed, taking trips in the car, rolling around in the grass, and of course eating lots of yummy treats!
“That’s what I’m most excited about — to truly give him the life that he deserves,” Michael said.
24. They’re Tripling the Love
Michael and Marc may have originally gone to the shelter to find a foster dog to lend a helping hand, but ended up leaving with a brand new fur baby who they will love forever.
And they definitely believe they have enough love in their hearts for three dogs.
24. They’re Tripling the Love
As Michael explains, “Trooper came first. So when Nelson came into our lives, I told Trooper, ‘We’re not dividing the love, we’re doubling it.’ So now, I tell Trooper and Nelson, ‘We’re not splitting the love, we’re tripling it.'”
25. Helping Them Get Through the Scary Times
Michael also believes that Toretto is helping them as much as they are helping him.
While they can provide Toretto with a warm home, lots of love and care, Toretto also brings a lot of joy and light into their lives.
This is especially helpful during the scary and uncertain times of the pandemic.
25. Helping Them Get Through the Scary Times
“Having this beautiful, sentient being in our home — and having to think about somebody besides ourselves — has really helped us get through the scariness of what we’re all dealing with,” Michael says.
We definitely agree with that sentiment!
26. The Joy of Having Pets
Michael is definitely not the only one who gets joy out of having pets at home.
Spending time with animals has been proven to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Some studies have even shown that pets can reduce loneliness, something that is all too prevalent during a pandemic when people are stuck in a lock down.
26. The Joy of Having Pets
Lots of other people have caught onto this phenomenon and decided to fill up their extra time at home by taking in a new pet, whether that means fostering or adopting.
In fact, due to the coronavirus shelters across the country saw a very interesting trend.
27. People Opening Their Homes During the COVID19 Crisis
Michael and Marc were not the only family to open their homes to a new pet.
Thankfully, people from all over decided it would be a good time to foster an animal from a shelter.
This greatly helped the shelters avoid the crowding and financial strain they feared.
27. People Opening Their Homes During the COVID19 Crisis
Many shelters reported a remarkable surge in new adopts and fostering in the midst of the COVID19 crisis.
This was definitely a huge weight lifted off these shelters, who were expected to fall on very hard times.
Kudos to all the kind people who opened their hearts to animals in need!
28. Sharing Toretto’s Story with the World
Michael sincerely believes that sharing Toretto’s story is important for older dogs everywhere. Hopefully, it will show people that older dogs are still a suitable option for adoption, and shouldn’t be seen as a burden.
Toretto is living proof that even a dog with the odds stacked against them can make an amazing pet.
28. Sharing Toretto’s Story with the World
“My hope is that other people will be inspired by Toretto’s story and go out and foster or adopt a Toretto of their own,” Michael said.
He also added that older dogs, even those with special needs, “make the most incredible pets and family members.”
29. Does Toretto’s Story Inspire You?
What do you think of this incredible adoption story? Has Toretto’s journey from an unloved dog stuck in the shelter, to a loved member of a good home warmed your heart?
We definitely had to hold back a few tears when hearing this story, we hope you feel the same!
29. Does Toretto’s Story Inspire You?
Perhaps Toretto’s story will inspire you to go out and foster a dog, too!
Maybe if you’re anything like Michael, you’ll find yourself with a new addition to your family who will change your life for the better.
It’s never a bad time to visit a shelter!