A dog who spent 300 days in a BC animal shelter is now living the sweet life with his new owner. 

Oso was surrendered to the BC SPCA after spending the first three years of his life tethered to a chain. He ended up becoming a long term resident at the Comox shelter. 

Despite spending nearly a year at the shelter, Oso and the volunteers there never gave up hope that he would find a loving home—and sure enough, he did. 

BC SPCA

“Everyone was committed to finding Oso a home,” says Stephanie Arkwright, manager of the BC SPCA’s Comox animal centre. 

“Staff and volunteers made every effort to shine a spotlight on this wonderful dog and help him find his forever family.” 

Some of the special things volunteers did to try and help Oso get adopted included seasonal photoshoots, as you can see below, local media features, and a birthday party as Oso neared his one-year anniversary at the shelter. 
 
“The community rallied together,” added Arkwright. “They generously donated treats, toys and food to Oso and the rest of the dogs in care.”  

But the best birthday gift of all was that social media posts of Oso caught the attention of his future dog dad. 

Comox resident Jonathan, “immediately fell in love with his sweet face.”
 
“I was still recovering from the loss of my dog when I saw Oso,” says Jonathan. “He was my best friend. We did everything together.”

Jonathan had even built a custom seat in his truck for the dog, and it was devastating to see it empty every day. 

BC SPCA

“The first time I met Oso, I was struck by how handsome he was and his ‘regal’ energy,” says Jonathan. 

“He was a little guarded at first but then he quickly relaxed, and he was playing with me and showing me lots of affection. He made such an impression on me, and when I left that day, I felt like I made a new, old friend.”

Once the adoption was final and it was time for Oso to go to his new home, the shelter staff gave him a send-off celebration.

BC SPCA

The centre made him a dog-safe cake that read “Congratulations, you are adopted!” 

Arkwright said it was a “mixture of emotions” seeing Oso leave. 

“We were so happy to see him leave with his new dad, but we had all grown so attached to him. It was emotional to watch him walk out the door.” 

Oso has been happily riding in the truck in his custom seat, and enjoys sleeping on the couch curled up in front of the fireplace. He’s also been enjoying lots of adventures and loves all the time spent outside with his new owner. 

BC SPCA

“He’s a big boy and you wouldn’t think he was a cuddle-bug, but love and affection is what he needs more than anything. He is a giant teddy bear.” Jonathan says. 

“He loves the sounds of the trees and the waves and loves to gaze out the window. I can’t wait to take him on adventures and give him the life he deserves.” 

Jonathan now takes Oso with him everywhere he goes, and the two are inseparable. He says, “I love every minute I spend with him, we both seem to like to do the same things. I think this is the beginning of a very good friendship.”