The pup was the “longest-reigning resident” at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County before he found his “forever home” on July 11
Credit: SPCA of Anne Arundel County
NEED TO KNOW
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Kylo Jace spent seven years at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County before finding his “forever home” on July 11
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The dog’s new owner visited him twice weekly for seven months to earn the shy dog’s trust
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Prior to his adoption, Kylo was the “longest reigning resident” of the Maryland shelter
Staff at a Maryland shelter shed tears as the dog they’d looked after the longest left with his new owner.
On Sunday, July 12, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (SPCA) of Anne Arundel County, Md., announced in an emotional Facebook post that Kylo Jace, the shelter’s “longest reigning resident,” was heading to his “forever home.”
There were no “dry” eyes as Kylo headed home with his owner on Saturday, July 11, after seven years in the Maryland shelter — a moment that was captured in several photos the nonprofit shared in the post.
One snap shows the shaggy, multicolored pup with his tongue out as his new owner smiles and wraps their arms around him. In another shot, the newly adopted dog is in the back seat, seemingly about to head home. Several images also show individuals wearing clothing marked “trainer” and “volunteer” shedding tears as they say goodbye to Kylo.
Credit: SPCA of Anne Arundel County
The SPCA of Anne Arundel County was the canine’s home for seven years in part because he takes a long time to build trusting relationships, according to the post.
“Kylo is a dog who takes many, many meetings with someone in order to fully trust them and feel comfortable enough to show his true silly, wonderful personality,” the nonprofit wrote. “Over the years, he had specific volunteers and staff who had earned his trust and would take turns walking and caring for him day after day since his list of approved friends was a shorter one.”
“So we knew it would take a very, very special person to put in the time and effort to earn Kylo’s trust….then his new mom came along 🤍,” the post continued.
It took seven months of twice-weekly visits with Kylo for his new owner to earn the dog’s trust. “Slowly but surely,” the owner “worked her way into his trusted inner circle,” per the post.
“Our team even worked to ensure he was comfortable getting into her car, doing home visits before the big day, etc., and he officially left the building that he has spent the past few years in…. for the final time yesterday,” the SPCA of Anne Arundel County said while announcing Kylo’s departure.
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“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, and we truly are on Cloud 9 knowing he gets to spend the rest of his life loved for exactly who he is!” the nonprofit continued. “None of this would have been possible without our absolutely incredible volunteers and staff who put their heart and soul into Kylo’s well-being for the past 7 years and for his new mom for taking a chance on a dog that many others probably would have given up on for an ‘easier’ dog.”
The SPCA of Anne Arundel County also noted that the pup’s adoption fee was “fully paid for in memory of” Jim Ehrig, a former volunteer with the organization who died in 2020. Ehrig was “a fan favorite of Kylo’s who passed away,” the shelter noted on Facebook. “We know that Jim would be so happy to hear Kylo’s happy ending.”
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