Senior Rat Terrier Back in the Shelter for the Third Time Just Wants Someone to Love Him
Shelter dogs can shatter hearts with a sad expression, but for some, even that isn't enough to get them a forever home. A senior Rat Terrier mix named Monty was returned to the shelter for the third time, and the volunteers who recognized him were heartbroken that he was back 11 years later.
Luckily, the poor pup had a guardian angel looking out for him. Monty was pulled from the shelter by True and Faithful Pet Rescue Mission, a senior pet sanctuary and rescue dedicated to giving dogs like Monty the time and environment they need to thrive. In just a few weeks, this shy shelter dog has already begun to transform into a loving, affectionate little boy.
@trueandfaithful Monty has been waiting since 2014 Seriously, that is not a typo. He's been in and out of the shelter since 2014. Then 2015. And now 2026. Monty is a little rat terrier mix who has spent his whole life loving people who keep leaving him. After our sanctuary pulled him, he came to us with a lot of needs: chest x-rays, a big dental, a full senior workup, and skin issues that are already starting to resolve now that he's out of the filth he was living in. His body was telling the story of a dog who had been forgotten for a very long time. We have not raised a single dollar of the $1,000 needed to cover his care, and unfortunately that bill is not going away… When Monty first arrived he was extremely shy. He wouldn't come up to you, he just hid away in his bed. But after a few weeks at our sanctuary, something shifted. Now he gets up out of his bed, wags his tail, and places his head in your hand. We know Monty would thrive in a forever home because of how far he has already come here. He is looking for a happy ending, for however long he has left. Every donation makes a difference, even $1. If you can't donate, please share. Monty deserves a happy ending after he has poured his unconditional love into people who just kept leaving him. It's time someone pours it back into him. Link in bio to donate or apply to adopt #ratterrierrescue#seniordogrescue#rescuedog#adoptme
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Understandably, she arrived at @trueandfaithful extremely shy and shut down. It's tragic to think that a sweet senior dog could be left in the shelter to fend for himself, but that's exactly what happened to Monty. It took him a while to be ready to trust humans again, and absolutely no one can blame him.
Commenters like @djynxy were angry and disappointed that this tiny shelter dog has been through the adoption process so many times. They wrote, "Animals are for life, and they are family, theirs and yours-people need to stop getting pets if they are ever ok with abandoning them for any reason." Say it louder for everyone in the back!
Related: Shy Shelter Dog's Emotional Transformation Ends With the Perfect Adoption
We may not know Monty's whole story or why he keeps returning to the shelter, but anyone can see that he's ready to find his perfect forever home. In fact, he's been ready for years! Once someone earns his trust, he gives them the unconditional love and companionship that every dog parent dreams of.
"OMG, this is so sad," another commenter agreed. "He looks like he has so much love to give, and he has such beautiful markings. If I lived over there, I would have him in a heartbeat."
Helping Rescue Dogs Adjust: The 3-3-3 Rule
Someone needs to adopt the affectionate rescue dog right away, but they also need to be realistic about their expectations. It can take weeks, even months, for a rescue dog to adjust to life in a new forever home, and the transition isn't always easy.
To help adopters know what to expect, pet experts recommend keeping the 3-3-3 rule in mind. This rule describes how long it can take, on average, for a rescue pet to reach certain milestones in their forever home. In 3 days, they could start feeling safe enough to explore their surroundings, while by 3 months, they may feel perfectly at home!
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Monty's ideal adopter will be someone flexible, patient, and encouraging. He loves attention from those he trusts, and watching him build a relationship with his forever person is going to be the most magical experience.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 8:45 AM.