Meet Jax, a dog who spent far too many months at the Regina Humane Society, waiting for his forever home. But when his day finally came, he made sure to leave with a heart full of gratitude—and a kiss for every staff member who helped him along the way.
Jax’s Journey: From Heartbreak to Hope
When Jax first arrived at the shelter, it was clear that he hadn’t had an easy life. His body was thin, and his coat was dull, a sign that he may have been on his own for a while. Bill Thorn, the director at the Regina Humane Society, recalled that when Jax was dropped off, he was hungry—very hungry. “He was very, very hungry when he arrived,” Thorn shared with a sad smile. “We made sure that he had all the food he needed.”
Jax’s journey didn’t start easy, but the shelter staff gave him the care he needed. After a full medical check-up, he was cleared for adoption. Yet, just as his adoption ad was posted, Jax got sick with pneumonia. His new chance at a home was put on hold as he spent weeks recovering.
The Long Wait
Once Jax was healthy, the shelter once again posted his picture and encouraged visitors to meet him, but still, no one came. Jax couldn’t understand why. His big, deep bark may have scared people off, even though it wasn’t aggressive. It was simply a case of “barrier frustration”—Jax just wanted to be close to people, but the kennel wall kept him from doing so.
Despite his friendly nature, the loud bark was off-putting for potential adopters. In an effort to show people the real Jax, the staff decided to move him to the front reception area. It was a gamble, but it worked.
“We brought him up to our front reception area for a while to get him out of his kennel and kind of show his true colors,” Thorn explained. And it did—Jax quickly became a staff favorite. But despite their best efforts, still, no one came forward.
A Longtime Shelter Resident
By the time Jax had spent months at the shelter, he had earned the title of “long-timer”—a dog who’d been there longer than most. While dogs typically stay at the Regina Humane Society for 10-12 days, Jax had been waiting for months for someone to choose him.
Even with the support of the shelter team, including a sponsorship that covered his adoption fee, Jax still sat, waiting. But on March 3, 2023, Jax’s luck finally changed. A man with experience in caring for large dogs like Jax walked into the shelter—and instantly fell in love with him.
The Farewell That Stole Hearts
Jax’s big day had finally come. When the time came for him to leave the shelter, his friends on staff decided to make the moment extra special. They gathered together in the front reception area to say their goodbyes.
But Jax had his own idea of a send-off. As he made his way to the door, he stopped at each staff member, one by one, giving them a kiss goodbye. “Little did we know he would stop at each staff member along the way and say his goodbyes,” Thorn shared. It was his way of thanking them for all the care and attention they’d given him.
Once he finished giving kisses to his human friends, he bounded into the arms of his new dad, melting into the warmth of his new home. It was the happy ending everyone had been waiting for.
A New Life, Full of Kisses
Though the staff at the shelter were sad to see Jax go, they found comfort in knowing that this wasn’t the end of the story. Since being adopted, Jax and his new dad have made several visits back to the shelter, showering everyone with love and hugs.
Jax’s life now is full of walks, cuddles, and making new friends. It took a while, but the right person came along—and it was worth the wait. “It took a while, but we found the right person for Jax, and that’s what it’s all about,” Thorn said.
Jax may have spent a long time at the shelter, but in the end, he got his happy ending—and made sure to show everyone just how much he appreciated them, one kiss at a time.
