In 2021, a young black pittie named Cider was rescued from an illegal dog fighting operation and brought to the Pennsylvania SPCA. Safe at last, Cider began his journey of healing and recovery. Once he was ready, he set out in search of a forever home.
Now, two and a half years later, Cider is still waiting — but his spirit remains unbroken. Every day, he greets shelter visitors with a hopeful smile, wondering if today will be the day he finds his family.
“Shelter life can be really tough, especially for dogs who have been here as long as Cider has,” Lindsey King, manager of volunteer programs at the Pennsylvania SPCA, told The Dodo. “He stays pretty happy, but you can see the toll it’s taking.”
Recently, King decided Cider deserved a break. She took him on a special offsite outing to a nearby park — and it was pure magic.
“After 886 days in the shelter, sometimes you just need a day with your very best friend,” the Pennsylvania SPCA wrote in a touching Facebook post.
Basking in the sunlight, Cider stretched out on the soft green grass, a wide, contented grin lighting up his face.
“Watching him run through the grass and splash in the creek was incredible,” King said. “But my favorite part was just sitting quietly with him, letting him soak in the sounds, smells, and sights. He was so at peace.”
The day was a beautiful reminder of the simple joys Cider deserves every day — and a bittersweet one, too.
“We only wish all his days could be like this,” the SPCA wrote. “With the right family, they can be.”
Cider is searching for a home where he can be the only pet, without small children. His ideal family would be patient, committed to building a routine, and excited to show him all the love and security he’s missed out on.
“The most important thing a family will need is patience,” King said. “He’s had a hard start in life and needs time to adjust to being in a real home. But he’s so worth it.”
As King knows firsthand, the love Cider offers is immeasurable.
“Cider has brought so much joy to my life,” she said. “He’s so grateful for every toy, every treat, every outing. His energy, his resilience, and that big, beautiful smile can brighten even the roughest day.”
Someday soon, Cider’s perfect family will find him — and when they do, they’ll wonder how they ever lived without him.
If you’re interested in giving Cider the loving home he deserves, email adoptions@pspca.org or visit the shelter any day between noon and 6:30 p.m.
To help more animals like Cider, you can make a donation to the Pennsylvania SPCA.
