'Incredibly Sad' Dog Returned to Shelter Three Times Finally Finds a Home

Lying on her bed on Saturday night, April had a sudden urge to visit an animal shelter. So that's exactly what she did the next day, though she had no desire to expand her furry family of three cats and one dog.

However upon entry, the 31-year-old saw a senior dog called Riggs and there was no way she was returning to her home in Goodyear, Arizona, without him.

"When I first saw him I got down on my knees crying because I had never seen a dog look so sad. It broke my heart and I instantly felt a connection with him," the mom-of-three told Newsweek.

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Two days ago, April, who doesn't wish to share her surname, shared his story on TikTok (@aprillaurenleigh) and racked up 1.2 million views, at the time of writing.

(L-R) A screenshot from the viral video shows Riggs lying on the floor. An image of April and her three children, husband and Riggs, who is settling into his new home. (L-R) A screenshot from the viral video shows Riggs lying on the floor. An image of April and her three children, husband and Riggs, who is settling into his new home. TikTok/@aprillaurenleigh

The footage shows 7-year-old Riggs lying down in his kennel and he is described as "incredibly sad" by April.

She told Newsweek that he was initially taken to Maricopa County Animal Control West in Phoenix in 2019 as a stray. He has since returned three times, but on August, 4, his luck changed.

"We weren't looking to get another pet, it wasn't even something we were discussing just for fun," said April. "I honestly thought we would just go and look as we are already a family of nine including our animals.

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"But when I saw him, I cried so hard and instantly knew he had to come home with us."

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. More than half (4.1 million) animals are adopted each year.

The adoption process was somewhat quick for April as she was able to take Riggs home on the same day. But not without introducing all of her family members to him while at the shelter.

"I already had my young children with me so we rushed home to get my 13-year-old son and then raced back to the shelter with 20 minutes spare. It was fate," she told Newsweek.

Now, three days on, Riggs is settling into his new home. During the viral footage, he can be seen running around and enjoying his new backyard.

Riggs wearing a green and blue bandana enjoys his new backyard. Riggs wearing a green and blue bandana enjoys his new backyard. Provided by April

"He is a good boy and I cannot figure out why someone would abandon him," told April. "He is so good with our kids (although we remain cautious of course), our other dog adores him and he is so happy and relaxed now.

"He is definitely a guard dog and if I get up to go anywhere he will follow and won't sit until I do.

"Our cats are still not so sure about him, but they will come around in time, but he is also a little afraid of them. He knows some commands and just loves to snuggle.

"He is fitting in perfectly here completing our big family of ten."

So far, the heartwarming video has amassed 117,000 likes and more than 7,200 comments.

One comment reads: "Thank you for saving this handsome dude," and another person added: "I don't know you but I'm so happy for you I'm crying lol years of love to come for you God bless you greatly so happy for you."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.