When Alva first found a home, her shelter friends at Austin Pets Alive! were thrilled, believing she had found her happily-ever-after. Alva, a sweet pup with a neurological condition called cerebellar hypoplasia, had overcome so much. This condition affects the part of the brain responsible for movement, causing mobility issues, but Alva never let it stop her.
However, once she arrived at her forever home, things didn’t go as planned. Alva wasn’t exposed to new people or situations, and as a result, her behavior began to change. She became scared and defensive, even trying to bite visitors. Her family, unable to cope with her growing anxiety, made the heartbreaking decision to surrender her back to the shelter.
Alva Kept Getting Overlooked
Returning to the shelter left Alva confused and heartbroken. She couldn’t understand why she was back or why her family wasn’t coming for her. The shelter staff, deeply saddened by her return, feared she would have a hard time finding another home.
Determined to help, the staff showered Alva with love and worked tirelessly on her training. She made significant progress, improving both her mobility and behavior, but potential adopters continued to overlook her. No one was willing to spend time with her, to see past her anxiety and discover the loving dog underneath.
After spending 500 days at the shelter, Alva began to lose hope that she would ever find a forever family.
Falling In Love With Alva’s Fighting Spirit
Then, everything changed when Joe Rotunda stumbled across Alva’s story on Instagram. Her photo and videos instantly captured his heart.
“She shined. She had this almost tangible will. I saw all these videos of Alva running, playing, and falling down. And every time she fell, she pulled herself back up. Every time a challenge presented itself, she did not go around it; she went over it. And I was very inspired,” Rotunda told PEOPLE.
Without hesitation, Rotunda headed to the shelter in Austin, Texas, eager to meet Alva in person. The staff briefed him on her health condition and anxiety, but Rotunda didn’t mind—he couldn’t wait to meet her.
Building Trust, One Visit at a Time
When Rotunda met Alva for the first time, she was understandably cautious. Anxious around this new stranger, she snapped at him. But Rotunda wasn’t discouraged; he had seen how loving Alva was with the shelter staff and knew there was a gentle heart beneath her fear.
Determined to win her trust, Rotunda began visiting Alva every day. The more time he spent talking to her, the more he fell in love. Slowly but surely, Alva began to warm up to him, recognizing the care and patience he was showing her.
“I just looked at her and said, ‘I bet everyone has given up on you. I’m not going to do that to you,’” Rotunda told Austin Pets Alive!.
With the help of the rescue’s training staff, Rotunda continued to work on building trust with Alva. His persistence paid off when Alva began looking forward to his visits, even approaching him to spend more time together.
A Home Tailored for Alva
After months of visiting, Rotunda decided it was time to take Alva home for a sleepover. He went above and beyond to make his home Alva-friendly, blocking off a large area of his living room and adding kennels where she could relax. He even covered hard edges of surfaces to ensure she could move around safely.
When Alva came home with Rotunda, she immediately felt at ease. The next morning, she greeted him with a wagging tail, and Rotunda knew she was ready to move in permanently.
Alva’s Perfect Forever Home
In her new home, Alva finally found the love and security she had been missing. She quickly bonded with Max, her doggy sibling, and the two became inseparable, often seen napping together.
Rotunda’s unwavering love and belief in Alva helped melt away her anxiety and fears. She adores her dad and now showers him with kisses. Alva is a new dog—happy, carefree, and constantly smiling.
Rotunda gave Alva the chance she needed, and in return, she brought endless joy into his life. All it took was someone to see her true potential and never give up on her.
