It didn’t appear like a little brown dog with an unique underbite would have problems finding a home when he was surrendered to the Wisconsin Humane Society in early July.
The lady who surrendered Payday, a 4-year-old dog, claimed she took him in after discovering him as a stray, but he wasn’t a good match for her family. Payday struggled to acclimatize to his new surroundings in the shelter. He was energetic, yet he was also wary of new people and circumstances.
The Wisconsin Humane Society’s vice president of communications, Angela Speed, told The Dodo, “He’s a really feisty dog. He’s a small dog with a tremendous personality.” says the owner.
When there was no interest in Payday, the shelter’s media coordinator felt that little attention might help the tiny dog find a loving owner who could help him overcome his behavioral issues.
They discovered a lot more than that.
Speed received a call minutes after Payday was featured on FOX6 News Milwaukee’s Adopt-A-Pet segment.
,,Dwight, one of their viewers, contacted in because he knew the puppy we’d featured.” Wisconsin Humane Society stated on Facebook. ,,He had awoken early last Wednesday to the sounds of FOX6’s morning show, just as our volunteer began describing a small brown puppy with the cutest underbite.” says the volunteer.
“Dwight typically shuts off his TV every night.” the article added, “but must have left it on by accident – or possibly owing to fate. Payday was instantly recognized by Dwight after only one glimpse at the photo.”
He went missing two years ago after escaping during a nighttime walk. Payday had been adopted as a present for Dwight’s then-10-year-old daughter, and she missed him dearly.
Melissa, Dwight’s mother, hurried over to the shelter to pick up Payday, and the small dog’s entire mood transformed as soon as he saw the familiar face.
You could see he knew her right away, and it was such a happy reunion. Speed described the experience as “amazing.” “While most people think of animal shelters as locations to adopt animals, reconnecting abandoned animals with their family is an important aspect of our mission. It’s a special moment every time we’re able to reconnect an animal with its family… It was an honor to be there.”
Payday has been warmly greeted by the family, with relatives dropping by to see him. “They’ve reverted to their old habits. Payday is the first one up in the morning since he doesn’t want to go out at night.” Speed explained. “He has two pittie dog siblings who are overjoyed to see him again. They began playing almost immediately.”
The family is now reunited again after a difficult two years.