A beloved, “playful” shelter dog has seen her friends come and go while she’s waited over 1,000 days to find her forever home.
At 2nd Chance Shelter in Boaz, Alabama, a gentle and spirited dog named Chuppie has spent more than three years patiently watching other dogs get adopted — while she remains behind, still waiting for someone to finally choose her.
Her story began in December 2022, when she was found injured and alone in a ditch. Starving and weak, she was barely able to use her back legs. Her ribs were visible, her fur was falling out, and it was suspected she had been hit by a car. The shelter team named her Chuppie — after an anime character known for resilience — and they quickly learned just how strong and special she truly was.
A Loving Spirit Despite Challenges
Today, Chuppie is about four years old. While she’s come a long way from that cold ditch, she still carries the physical reminders of her past. Her hind leg has limited movement, and more recently, she developed a swollen shoulder that gives her a slight hunch and a hobbling walk. Multiple veterinarians have examined her, but the cause remains a mystery.
Despite the physical challenges, her spirit is untouched.
“She has a lot of energy, but she’s not hyper,” said Teresa Camp, the shelter’s office administrator, in an interview with The Mirror. “She’s content to lie around. She doesn’t bark much — just enough to let us know when someone’s approaching.”
Chuppie is described by the staff as “good-natured and energetic,” a dog who loves long walks but is just as happy relaxing beside her human. She may move a little slower, but her heart is wide open.
Office Dog, Lonely Heart
To give her the best shot at finding a home, Chuppie was moved into the shelter’s front office, where she could meet more To give her the best shot at finding a home, Chuppie was moved into the shelter’s front office, where she could meet more visitors. But while this space has helped many dogs get adopted, Chuppie’s story remained unchanged.
One by one, her friends left for new lives: Blanche, Whisper, Jelly Bean, Journey, Paco, Daisy — each one adopted. Chuppie stayed.
“Chuppie seems sad,” said Doug, a staff member, in a Facebook post. “We’ve seen this before and come to expect it. Before long, another dog will move into the office. Chuppie will have a new friend for a while — and if history repeats itself, we know what will happen.”
What was meant to be her gateway to adoption has become a place of repeated heartbreak. She has become the one always waving goodbye — never the one being welcomed home.
A New Chance for Chuppie
Chuppie doesn’t want anything extraordinary. She’s not asking to be fixed, just accepted. She is calm, affectionate, and full of love — the kind of dog who brings peace, not chaos, into a home.
She may not chase tennis balls for hours, but she’ll gladly sit with you through storms — physical or emotional. Her loyalty is quiet but deep. What she lacks in speed, she makes up for in unshakable devotion.
Her Forever Starts With You
Chuppie has spent over 1,000 days watching others find homes while she’s left behind, quietly waiting with hope in her eyes. Through every setback — the injuries, the heartbreak, the goodbyes — she has never stopped believing that her person is out there. Someone who won’t just walk past her kennel. Someone who won’t care that she walks with a limp. Someone who sees her not as a project, but as family.
Now it’s her turn. Let’s not let her be remembered as the dog who was always almost chosen. Let’s rewrite her story — from overlooked to overjoyed, from left behind to finally loved.
As of May 20, Chuppie is still waiting for her forever home at 2nd Chance Shelter in Boaz, Alabama, just about 70 miles northeast of Birmingham.
If you’re ready to change a life, Chuppie is ready too. After years of watching others go home, she deserves to be the one who finally hears, “You’re coming with me.” She’s not just looking for a home — she’s looking for someone to love, forever.
