Hoagie, a 5-year-old husky–German shepherd mix, is once again searching for a forever home after being adopted and returned three times to Madison County Animal Services. Now, the shelter hopes a special person will give this deserving dog his happy ending.
“He’s trying. He’s learning. He’s worth it,” the shelter wrote on social media. But they are honest: Hoagie needs someone extraordinary.
Hoagie’s journey has been difficult. He came to the shelter as a stray in March, fearful and distrustful of people and other dogs. “He didn’t want to be touched. He was confused by kindness, unsure how to be a dog at all,” the shelter explained.
With patience and care, Hoagie began to open up. Today, he plays joyfully with other dogs, loves toys, and even enjoys relaxing in baby pools. Cheese has become his favorite treat, and once he trusts someone, he appreciates gentle petting. Despite his playful, goofy side, Hoagie also likes to relax quietly with his people after playtime.
Unfortunately, his previous adoptions didn’t work out. He lived briefly in a noisy college dorm, with an older couple who couldn’t keep up with his energy, and with a family that struggled to manage his needs. Adding to his challenges, Hoagie experiences stress-induced seizures. They are not frequent, but they require a calm, predictable environment.
Madison County Animal Services is determined to find Hoagie a home where he can thrive — with someone patient and understanding who won’t expect perfection on day one.
“If you believe in second chances (and third… and fourth), if you have a soft spot for the underdog, if you know that the best dogs are sometimes the ones who’ve had to fight hardest to trust again — then Hoagie might just be your soulmate,” the shelter wrote.
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