It’s always heartbreaking when people surrender their pets to shelters. Some people simply change their minds after adopting, or realize it’s too much work, and ditch their dogs without caring.
But other times, people have no choice but to surrender their pets, even when they love them deeply. Sometimes unforeseen complications or financial issues make it impossible to provide the care pets need.
When one man was forced to give up his beloved companion, he swore he would return for him—and stayed true to his word.
When Lewis Jimenez adopted a dog in 2013, he decided to take in a pit bull. It’s not a breed many people go for—they’re the most common breed to be found in shelters but many people can’t get past their reputation for being vicious.
But when Lewis saw Titus at Austin Animal Center, he knew he was the one. According to Today, Lewis had a “rough life” and spent 20 years in prison, and has since committed to doing good and helping people.
It seems he saw something of himself in the discarded dog, and gave Titus a home.
While the two went through some struggles together including living in a car for several months, things seemed to be looking up when the two moved into a new apartment.
Or so they thought. Lewis says a neighbor had a problem with him having a pit bull in the building, and complained to management for years.
The situation reached a boiling point when Lewis’ grandson walked Titus and the pit bull nipped a neighbor’s finger.
Facing the possibility of eviction, Titus made a heartbreaking decision: to surrender his beloved dog to an animal shelter.
“I had to give Titus up,” he told Today, calling the dog his “other half.”
He returned the pit bull to Austin Animal Center last November, promising he would return for him when he had found a new place to live.
The good news was that it was a no-kill shelter so Titus wasn’t at risk of euthanasia. He was treated very well by the staff and Lewis visited as much as he could.
However, there was still a chance that someone else could show up and adopt Titus out from under him, so time was of the essence.
Thankfully, by February Lewis was able to find a new place to live—someplace that would accept his pit bull. After months apart, he kept his promise by returning to the shelter for Titus.
The two had a heartwarming reunion, glad to be back in each other’s arms after those months of uncertainty.
“Animals are our family,” Lewis said. “He’s home. He’s home, and he’s happy.”
What a beautiful reunion! We know how hard it can be to be separated from your pet, so we’re glad to hear everything worked out well in the end.
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