Staff Devastated That Adopters Want Young Pit Bull But Not Her Senior Mate

Shelter life is tough on its residents. It’s a loud environment with people constantly coming and going. Even the bravest dogs shake with fear much of the time.

Anything that can bring comfort is an asset. For two dogs that entered the shelter at the same time, the comfort they needed most they found in one another.

Source: Merrill & Taco/Facebook

Rocket Dog Rescue acquired a three-year-old Pit Bull named Merrill and an older Chihuahua, likely 8 years old, named Taco.

Even though the pair couldn’t be more different, they took an instant liking to one another, like doggy soulmates.

Source: Merrill & Taco/Facebook

Their bond couldn’t be more evident than when Merrill got sick. Merrill was used by a breeder to produce litter after litter. Her last pregnancy didn’t go well and she needed surgery immediately.

When Merrill was getting treatment, Taco was completely lost without her. Once they wheeled Merrill into recovery, the staff could hear cries echoing throughout the hallway.

The cries were heartbreaking and continued (and continued). The staff actually said that Taco was whimpering the moment Merrill was taken out of the kennel.

Taco’s cries only got more desperate. They had no choice but to allow him to see Merrill so he would calm down.

Source: Merrill & Taco/Facebook

Putting the two dogs together was never done during surgical recovery but the staff knew they just had to give in. The two dogs cuddled together as Merrill slept. Taco was finally calm knowing his friend was still at the shelter and was going to be okay.

Source: Merrill & Taco/Facebook

This type of bond went so deep that the staff decided there was no way these two could ever be separated. Once Merrill recovered, they would need a home together.

The shelter staff did all they could by posting pics of the adorable duo on social media. But even with all the shares and clicks, the two remained without a home.

Source: Merrill & Taco/Facebook

The shelter staff worried this had a lot to do with Taco. Merrill was young and healthy and still had many years left to live. Taco was a senior dog and they are always harder to place.

Would they need to be separated in order to find them homes? There were people interested in Merrill but not as eager to take in a senior dog.

Would they be forced to tear apart this loving pair? This would be an impossible decision to make.

Then, by the grace of God, the shelter got a call from a woman named Jodi. She and her family were interested in taking both dogs in. YAY!

Source: Merrill & Taco/Facebook

There were many challenges along the way, like a health scare with Taco, but both dogs persevered. Staying as a team continued to make the pair stronger and they lived happily ever after– TOGETHER!

Source: Merrill & Taco/Facebook

Update: Due to age and some health complications, Taco passed away. Yes, it is sad but what’s most important is he got to live out his life feeling TONS of love from both his new family and his best friend.

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