After spending more than two years watching other dogs get adopted and walk out the door, one overlooked shelter pup finally got his moment—and it turned into a heart-melting double rescue no one saw coming.
At City of Tracy Animal Services, staff and volunteers were overwhelmed with emotion as Clyde, a 6-year-old American Staffordshire terrier, finally left the shelter after an incredible 831 days of waiting. Cheers filled the building as the longtime resident made his long-awaited exit—but the story didn’t end there.
He wasn’t leaving alone.
In a now-viral Facebook video posted on April 17, Clyde is seen happily making his way to a car—followed by another familiar face. Thor, a 3-year-old pit bull-husky mix who had spent 280 days at the shelter, was also heading out that same day. One by one, the two pups hopped into the vehicle like they knew their lives were about to change forever.
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And they were right.
The man behind this unforgettable moment is Roberto, a volunteer from Indiana who was only in California for a temporary work assignment—but ended up changing two lives in the process.
Instead of spending his free time relaxing, Roberto dedicated himself to the shelter, often walking up to six dogs a day and giving them the attention and exercise they desperately needed.
Staff say his commitment stood out immediately.
“Volunteering is clearly more than just volunteering,” said administrative assistant JoAnn Ronngren. “It’s inspiring to see someone come from out of state and spend their downtime caring for these animals.”
Over time, Roberto formed a quiet bond with both Clyde and Thor. Neither dog was overly demanding, but something about them stuck with him. Clyde was known for hanging out in the office before eventually retreating to his kennel, while Thor had his own calm, independent routine but loved getting out for walks.
As Roberto’s time in California came to an end, he faced a tough decision—but ultimately, he couldn’t leave either dog behind.
So he didn’t.
In an even more surprising twist, the two dogs had never actually met before adoption. Their first introduction happened during the long drive back to Indiana, with their kennels placed side by side. Mile by mile, the pair slowly got used to each other, forming a bond as they left their shelter days behind.
The emotional moment quickly spread online, racking up tens of thousands of views and reactions. Commenters flooded the post with messages of joy, many admitting they were brought to tears.
“I’ve never seen a dog so happy to jump into a crate,” one person wrote.
“I’m crying happy tears,” another added.
“Lucky dogs, lucky adopter,” said a third.
For the shelter staff, it’s a moment they won’t forget.
And for Clyde and Thor, it’s the beginning of a brand new life—together.