In December 2023, a malnourished and emaciated Bulldog-mix was found by the NYPD, tied to a pole. The 7-year-old dog, later named Dancer, was brought to the ASPCA for much-needed medical treatment and recovery.

When Dancer was first seen by the staff at the ASPCA Animal Hospital, it was clear that he was in rough shape. He was severely underweight, so he was placed on a strict re-feeding plan, so that he could regain his weight safely. Additionally, he was suffering from open wounds on his skin and was unable to walk. Once he was treated and became more stable, he was transferred to the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center to continue getting his strength back.

Within a couple of months, Dancer’s condition greatly improved and he was ready to find a home of his own! By the end of February 2024, he was made available for adoption.

Looking for a New Start in New York City

Ugo G. and his husband, Maxwell, recently moved from California to New York City. Their previous dog, Rosie, had stayed behind to live with Maxwell’s parents. As a family, they made the difficult decision to keep Rosie in familiar surroundings where she was happiest.

“She was accustomed to rural life and wouldn’t have adapted well to the noisy and crowded environment of the city,” Ugo says.

Once Ugo and Maxwell settled into their new home in New York City, they realized that although they knew they had done what was best for Rosie, they still missed having a four-legged companion in their life. When looking for another dog, they decided to focus their search for one who had maybe been overlooked by other adopters, especially compared to younger or healthier dogs.

Not long after submitting his interest in adoption online, the ASPCA team reached out to Ugo and let him know about Dancer. A meet-and-greet was then arranged for them to meet Dancer in person.

“Dancer’s face instantly captivated me,” Ugo says. “His clumsy gait, heavy breathing and the way he cuddled on my feet were all signs of his gentle and peaceful nature.”

Soon enough, Dancer was headed home with his new family.

The 7-Year-Old Puppy

After leaving the ASPCA Adoption Center, they headed right to a pet store together to pick up some supplies, as well as his favorite toy, tennis balls.

“You had to see Dancer in the store, pacing the aisles, acting like a child on Christmas Eve,” Ugo says.

When they first arrived home, Dancer grew a bit shy and mostly kept to himself. He refused to climb onto the sofa, preferring the comfort of his own bed. However, as weeks and months passed, he began to respond enthusiastically to pets and attention and gradually revealed his true personality.

“It was heartwarming to see him express his gratitude and attachment to us. I like to consider him as a 7-year-old puppy,” Ugo says. “We don’t know much about his background, but his behavior suggests that he’s never experienced a traditional loving home. We had to teach him everything, from cuddling to relieving himself. That going outside didn’t mean being abandoned again.”

As they expected, Ugo and Maxwell faced a few challenges with Dancer as he settled into their home. He wasn’t fully housetrained, and due to his previous health issues, going for walks could also be difficult. They adjusted their schedules to best support Dancer as he learned to only go to the bathroom outside. Whenever Dancer made it outside successfully, they congratulated him, and their perseverance eventually paid off when he finally understood the routine.

“Despite these obstacles, the ASPCA team was incredibly supportive and reassured us,” Ugo says.

The Adoption Center offers an arrangement known as Foster First, which gives potential adopters 14 days to determine whether they can provide the care the animal needs. Ugo and Maxwell used this time to see how Dancer would fit into their lives. They also realized that they might be Dancer’s best hope to provide him with the home he needed. Since he was already an older dog, they were worried he might not be other adopters’ first choice.

 “My husband and I looked at each other and made a decision — let’s adopt him,” Ugo says. “It’s mindboggling to think about how life’s paths can cross and destinies can change in an instant.”

The Neighborhood Star

Nowadays, life couldn’t be better for the family. Dancer gets along with everyone, including other animals. They also have a cat, who he has gotten along well with since day one.

“Dancer is patient, loves cuddles, sleeps and eats,” Ugo says. “He is quite a foodie.”

He has also become a star pup in the neighborhood, especially when he rides along in his trolley for longer walks. As a bully-type dog, he can overheat more easily than others, so it’s important to keep him cool during outdoor activities. Though he can be hesitant about going for a walk, when he sees the trolley, he happily follows along.

As soon as we feel he’s getting tired, we put him on the trolley, and you can’t help but notice his pride,” Ugo says.

Dancer has even become Ugo’s personal shadow, spending a lot of time together on the sofa.

“As someone who loves to cuddle, I’ve found the perfect companion in him. Sometimes, he even climbs into bed to spend the night with us,” Ugo says.

Dancer’s confidence has continued to grow, and with every revelation of his personality, Ugo says they fall in love with him even more. He has become an integral part of their lives and they know they’ve built a beautiful relationship. Dancer shows them love and gratitude every day, and they couldn’t imagine life without him.

“Adjusting to life in New York has been challenging, and it’s difficult to make connections here,” Ugo says. “Dancer has helped alleviate my loneliness with his constant and reassuring presence.”

For anyone considering adopting a shelter dog like Dancer, Ugo suggests being ready to offer them time, patience, love and treats. Having a strong support system, like the help and advice he received from the ASPCA team, also goes a long way.

“Adoption may be a gamble,” Ugo says, “but it’s a winning one.”