After Two Years of Waiting, This Once Lonely Shelter Dog Now Has a Home

A dog who was sheltered for more than two years went home with a new family just in time for the holidays, the organization’s officials have announced.

“Zues” had an unusually long stay at the at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA in the San Francisco Bay Area, but his Christmas wish came true when Claire Karoly Ard and Criss Ard of took home Sunday the pitt bull after looking for a dog to adopt for more than a year.

The Ard’s have a resident cat and wanted to be sure the dog they adopted would be a good match, and the humane society recently learned that Zeus was good with cats— making the family and dog a perfect match for each other.

“We’ve already had several adventures and he’s settling into our home nicely,” Claire said. “Zeus is the perfect older gentleman dog.“

Zeus waited longer than any other dog to be adopted since the PHS & SPCA opened the Tom and Annette Lantos Center for Compassion in 2011, according to society officials.

On average, dogs were getting adopted from the PHS & SPCA three weeks after being made available for adoption.

Zeus came into the care of the society in September 2012. His age and breed contributed to his long wait, society officials said.

Zeus’s previous owner surrendered him to the humane society because of a personal crisis and that person had provided good care for him, according to the society.

“I’m sure he’s grateful to finally be home, but really, in just a couple of days, he’s given us so much joy, love and snuggles that we’re the ones who are grateful,” Claire said.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.