He assured him he would return and they would never part ways. HE DID IT
Four months ago, Lewis Jimenez had to take on a challenging task. Titus, his pit bull, needed to return to the shelter where he had adopted him. However, Jimenez decided to never leave with Titus again after returning for him as soon as he could, in contrast to many others who abandoned their pets and never returned for them.
When Jimenez adopted Titus, he was two years old and came from Austin’s only municipal animal shelter, the Austin Animal Center. Although he hadn’t planned to own a pit bull, he fell in love with Titus after witnessing volunteers from the shelter strolling him around the yard.
Jimenez said to The Dodo, “He was jumping around and happy, and I thought, ‘Man, that’s the one I want.'”
For the following five years, Lewis and Titus were inseparable, and Lewis struggled to imagine his life without Titus. As Jimenez put it, “He’s like my big old kid.” “I am a part of him.”
But they became estranged last year due to something that happened. Lewis was informed that Titus would not be his to keep.
The manager of communications and publicity at Austin Animal Centre, Jennifer Olohan, told The Dodo that “the management company told him that if he didn’t get rid of Titus, he’d be evicted.”
Jimenez had no choice but to return Titus to the shelter because he had nowhere else to live and no one to look after him while he looked for one.
It was unclear to the personnel at the shelter if Jimenez would return for Titus. Olohan stated, “From our perspective, we’re unable to hold dogs because we constantly hear owners say they’re going to return, but they never do.”
The personnel of the shelter observed Jimenez struggling to give up Titus at the same time, despite Jimenez’s assurances that it would only be a temporary situation.
Contrarily, Titus found it difficult to get used to the shelter. Olohan said he was just plain unhappy. Olohan told the newspaper, “The shelter is a stressful place for dogs.” “Titus was not one of those dogs that coped better than others.” He was under a great deal of stress. When you took him out of his kennel, he was wonderful—very lively and endearing. But he was dejected and hopeless in his kennel.
Jimenez and his family made as many visits to Titus as they could, but it was always a touching affair for all.
Jimenez said, “He would get overwhelmed and very sad.” The volunteers would write comments like, ‘Titus is not himself,’ on their notes. It simply strengthened my resolve to take any necessary steps to free him.
Every visit had its worst part, which was saying goodbye. Olohan said to reporters, “The staff would see them as they were leaving in tears.” “So it was just heartbreaking, the whole thing.”
Despite Titus’ four-month stint at the shelter, Jimenez never gave up on attempting to get him out.
At last, Jimenez and his family managed to move to a location where they could maintain Titus. Jimenez said that since Titus had a garden in his new residence, everything had turned out for the better.
Olohan said, “Everyone was emotional.” Lewis was ecstatic, as was Titus. Everyone there, including the staff and volunteers, was in tears. Some knew about their story and that Lewis was holding out for Titus.
After the Austin Animal Centre posted the pictures of their reunion on Facebook, the pictures went viral. It shows Jimenez giving Titus an embrace while he’s grinning broadly like a puppy.
“I was overpowered,” Jimenez said. “There were a lot of things on my mind.”
For spending time with Titus and ensuring that he received tonnes of love and care while he was in the shelter, Jimenez thanked the volunteers and staff of the shelter. “They could be doing a lot of things, but by doing that, they give the dogs comfort,” Jimenez continued.
Titus immediately returned to his life with Jimenez and his family.
He said, “He said that Titus is relaxing on the couch even though he shouldn’t be, but they’re giving him a break since he’s had a difficult time at the shelter.” However, they claimed that he is doing great. They are overjoyed to have him returned.
Olohan continued, “He loves Titus.” “It’s clear to us now that he did everything within his power to ensure that he returned Titus and that not returning from Titus was never an option.”
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