Cami, a sweet and energetic 4-year-old pit bull mix, spent the most of her existence as a Saint Frances Animal Center shelter dog.
Even the main adoptions coordinator at the South Carolina center, Ashley S. Miller, admits that neither she nor the staff members know why Cami was disregarded for such a long time.
“She is a very sweet girl who enjoys belly rubs,” Miller told Daily Paws. “She spent the majority of her days at the shelter sunning on a play yard, going for long walks, and kissing the staff.”
Despite her sweet nature, Cami lived at SFAC for 1,248 days, the longest tenure of any resident. That is, until Addie Nelson came by on Oct. 15 to meet other dogs.
Fortunately, serendipity intervened, and Nelson met Cami during her stay.
Ms. Nelson fell in love with Cami the moment she saw her, according to Kalanie Player, an adoptions counselor who was working the day Cami was adopted. We performed a meet and greet with her and Cami, and Ms. Nelson informed me she was the one in less than five minutes.
Nelson has connected with several of the staff members on social media since adopting Cami and is regularly sharing fresh images of her for them to see.
Cami has settled in nicely and is loving her new life! Miller explains.
Cami was taken to the shelter by animal control authorities in May 2019. Shallon McConnell, an SFAC staff member, describes Cami as a “reserved and nervous girl.” But as time passed, her genuine nature began to emerge.
“She loved long walks, warm blankets, and belly rubs,” McConnell adds. “At the height of our enrichment program, she also enjoyed yard time.”
Cami didn’t trust readily at first, but she ultimately won over the hearts of the whole crew with her “goofy” and “fun-loving personality,” according to McConnell.
SFAC promoted Cami on social media during her stay in the hopes that she would be adopted. It would take her nearly three and a half years to find her perfect partner.
Cami was often more hesitant with new individuals at first, according to Miller, with one life-changing exception. She rushed up to Ms. Nelson and laid on her back for a belly rub, she says.
Everyone was overjoyed when Cami was adopted, according to the player. She claims that when she finally got her fur-ever home, everyone sobbed joyful tears. We could all see Cami and Ms. Nelson shared a strong relationship and selected each other.
Cami understands what it’s like to live in a genuine home full of unconditional love and affection after spending the most of her life as a shelter dog.
Cami and her stay taught us that every dog has a family; it only takes time for them to meet and fall in love, says Player.