When Hurricane Sandy slammed into their home in Long Beach and submerged it, Bruno, a 7-year-old Rottweiler, and his owner were forced to flee. Bruno ended up with more than 500 other pets at the Nassau County’s emergency pet shelter at Mitchel Field, according to the New York Daily News.
Now, he’s the last one there. And the shelter is closing next week.
His owner is still around, but he’s been forced to surrender him to the shelter after a series of hardships. He lost his job. He’s been sleeping in his car. He plans to leave New York to find work.
“Many owners have had to take that heartbreaking step of relinquishing ownership,” facility volunteer Beverly Poppell said. “You can tell that Bruno wants a family.”
But Bruno’s owner still visits him, and here’s where the story will tug at your heartstrings. According to Nassau County SPCA spokesman Gary Rogers, Bruno and his owner both cry during the visits.
And when the owner leaves, Bruno howls for a half an hour.
Rogers says he would like the owner to find work, but as the shelter is closing, he needs to get Bruno adopted out as soon as possible. Bruno is featured prominently Nassau County SPCA Website, with the headline “HELP THIS FOUR LEGGED SANDY VICTIM!!!” The text reads, in part:
He’s a good, intelligent Rottie who walks well and would do good with somebody who truly understands the breed as he has his stubborn moments. The shelter is closing soon and for him to end up without a place to go would be a tragedy, a foster or forever home is urgently needed! Call the Shelter at 516-272-0017.
“Bruno is a devoted dog,” Rogers said. “He has had a very difficult last few months and we are desperate to find him a happy ending.”
“He has a strong and sometimes Rottweiler personality that would fit best with an owner who understands the breed,” he said. “But he becomes a lovable puppy around the people he knows and trusts.”
If you or someone you know would like to help, Bruno would appreciate it. Just look at that face:
