When Alva was first adopted from Austin Pets Alive!, everyone was overjoyed, thinking she had finally found her forever home. However, Alva’s journey was just beginning. Alva suffers from a neurological condition known as cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects her brain’s ability to control movement, making it difficult for her to move smoothly.
Challenges in Her New Home
At her new home, Alva faced challenges. She wasn’t taken outside often enough, which limited her exposure to new people and experiences. This lack of socialization led to a change in her behavior. She became fearful and defensive around strangers, and this fear sometimes led her to try to bite new visitors.
Due to these challenges, her family made the tough decision to surrender her back to the shelter. The shelter staff was heartbroken, worried that Alva might struggle to find another home willing to accept her with her special needs.
Overlooked but Not Forgotten
Back at the shelter, Alva couldn’t understand why she was returned. She missed her family terribly and couldn’t comprehend why they didn’t come back for her. The shelter staff, recognizing her confusion and sadness, showered her with love and began working on training to improve both her mobility and her social skills. Despite making progress, Alva was continuously overlooked by potential adopters. After 500 days, she began to lose hope of ever finding a permanent family.
A Spark of Hope
Then, something wonderful happened. Joe Rotunda stumbled upon Alva’s story while browsing Instagram. He saw her photos and videos, and something about her spirit caught his eye. “She shined. She had this almost tangible will. I saw all these videos of Alva running, playing, and falling down. And every time she fell, she pulled herself back up. Every time a challenge presented itself, she did not go around it; she went over it. I was very inspired,” Rotunda said in an interview with PEOPLE.
Building Trust and Love
Filled with admiration for her resilience, Rotunda visited the Austin shelter to meet Alva. Initially, she was wary and even snapped at him, but Rotunda was not deterred. He could see the loving nature she showed with her shelter friends and was determined to earn her trust. He visited her daily, spending time talking and interacting with her. His persistence paid off, and soon Alva began to look forward to his visits.
A Promise of Forever
Rotunda made a heartfelt promise to Alva: “I bet everyone has given up on you. I’m not going to do that to you.” He worked closely with the shelter’s training staff, gradually winning her trust. Overjoyed with their growing bond, Rotunda decided it was time to try a sleepover at his home in Austin.
He prepared his house to be safe and comfortable for Alva, blocking off large areas of the living room and covering sharp edges to ensure she could move around without hurting herself. He filled his living room with kennels so she could relax in a familiar environment.
Alva’s New Life
The sleepover was a success, and it didn’t take long for Alva to feel at home. She was happy and relaxed, and when Rotunda saw her tail wagging the next morning, he knew she was ready to stay permanently. Rotunda’s home became Alva’s perfect forever home.
Alva quickly bonded with Max, her new doggy sibling, and they became inseparable. They spent their days playing and napping together. Rotunda’s unconditional love helped melt away Alva’s anxiety and fears. She transformed into a joyful dog, full of life and love for her new family.
A Happy Ending
Today, Alva is a completely different dog. She adores her dad and showers him with kisses. She loves her new life and can’t stop smiling, a true testament to the power of patience and love. Her story is a reminder of the incredible bond that can form between humans and animals, and the profound impact compassion can have on a pet in need. Alva’s journey from being overlooked to cherished is a heartwarming tale of resilience, hope, and the endless possibilities that come with giving animals a second chance.
