After two years in a shelter, one dog finally gets a home

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) -- A dog that was at a local shelter for more than two years is finally in his forever home.

John Newton, of Terre Haute, has been rescuing dogs for 27 years now.

"All the dogs have been rescue dogs. Sometimes we rescue them, sometimes they rescue us," said Newton.

That's exactly what Rudolph -- also known as Rudy -- did for the Newton family after their family dog Riley passed away.

"This one happened to rescue us. Riley was a young dog and he died. It was traumatic. It was traumatic for us. It was traumatic for Remi, the other dog. She was lost," said Newton.

After Riley's death, Newton knew his family needed another dog.

"We go to the shelter, look over all the dogs, like 30 or 40 dogs and, it just breaks your heart to see them all. So, we picked out 4 or 5 that Remi could come meet," said Newton. "We picked out the one she wanted. So, Rudy has been a great addition to our family."

The family decided to give Rudy his forever home, but what he brought to the Newtons, was worth so much more.

"It's hard to have a home, in our minds at least, without dogs. They're here to greet us. When we leave, they don't know where we've gone. We come back and it's like a whole new world has opened up. They're thrilled to see us once again. If only they could talk," said Newton.

Life hasn't always been easy for Rudy. Before being rescued, he spent two years at the Terre Haute Humane Society.

"It's hard to believe how this nice dog could have been there for two years without somebody wanting him," said Newton. "It's just phenomenal. It was fate, I don't know. We needed him and he needed us and we're thrilled to have him part of our family."

Rudy finally got the happy ending that so many other shelter dogs are hoping for.

"It's a shame not more people don't take advantage of the opportunity to go and make a lifetime friend," said Newton.

A lifetime friend who gives as much as he receives.

"People who have animals smile more than people who don't. Maybe I'm wrong, but they give us something special to look forward too everyday," said Newton.