Tears Over Face of Shelter Dog Still "Patiently Waiting" After 1,208 Days
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Hearts have broken for a black pit mix who has been waiting in a shelter for most of his life.
Mars has spent 1,208 days—over three years—waiting at Webster Animal Shelter in Madison, Mississippi, for someone to take him home.
"Mars originally came to us after being found running loose, with a severely swollen face covered in abscesses. Our animal control officer, Michael Greene, said Mars was rough around the edges when they first met—understandably scared and defensive—but he was eventually able to cut his collar off and bring him in safely," Krista Sciple from Webster Animal Shelter told Newsweek. "That was over 1,200 days ago. We estimate Mars is about 4–5 years old now, so he's spent most of his life in the shelter."
In a post on Facebook, the shelter shared his story in a plea to help find him a loving home. "He's our longest resident, and honestly, we can't understand why."
Mars the dog who is still waiting for a forever home.
Mars the dog who is still waiting for a forever home.
Webster Animal Shelter
The shelter also believes that his looks may have played a part in him being overlooked for so long. "Sadly, we think the reason he's been overlooked so long is a mix of stigma and circumstance. Black dogs and pit bull-type dogs are both statistically less likely to be adopted. Dark colored dogs don't photograph as well and are perceived as less friendly or more intimidating, and pit bull breeds face a lot of misunderstanding and bias due to media portrayals and housing restrictions."
Black dogs, especially in shelters, often face unique challenges when it comes to adoption—a phenomenon widely known as "Black Dog Syndrome."
A 2002 study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that coat color significantly influencers adoption outcomes in dogs. Black dogs were less likely to be adopted compared to dogs with other coat colors, leaving them at higher risks of euthanasia.
Read more
Shelter dog adopted after 640 days—does "one last look back" before leaving
Shelter dog adopted after 640 days—does "one last look back" before leaving
Anecdotal evidence from shelters backs this up, with some even turning to extra measures to try and boost the chances of black shelter dogs. Like Maggie Epling, a shelter volunteer and photographer who took a series of portrait pictures of black dogs at a shelter to try and get them noticed.
"Mars also isn't a perfect dog—he's not always the best fit with other dogs, especially dominant males, and he's not good with cats. So between his appearance, breed, and a few behavioral quirks, he keeps getting passed over," Sciple said. "But he is so much more than that. Mars is incredibly sweet and goofy, he'll lean into you and rub his whole body against you just to get some love. He's patient, especially when putting on a harness or even a little outfit. He's smart and has been doing well with some basic training."
Despite being overlooked, Mars still greets every new visitor with hope. He's got some basic training under his belt, shows promise with house training, and is up to date on all vaccinations, including rabies. He's neutered, heartworm negative, and ready to go home for an adoption fee of $100.
"He deserves a family. A couch. A soft bed," the shelter wrote. "Someone to see past the black coat and serious expression and recognize the incredible dog he is."
More pictures of Mars, who has spent most of his life in the shelter.
More pictures of Mars, who has spent most of his life in the shelter.
Webster Animal Shelter
Mars' story sparked a host of reactions from community members and animal lovers.
"I've walked Mars a few times while getting some volunteer hours done. He's such a sweetheart," wrote Trinity Eades.
"I cannot believe nobody has adopted this cute precious baby!" commented Missy Gammons Waldrup.
Holly Porter Rose said: "Look at his smile!! Hope he finds a loving home soon!"
Webster Animal Shelter remains open to the public seven days a week, and its staff is hopeful that someone will come through their doors soon to meet Mars.
"He's lived in a shelter for nearly all his life, he just needs someone to help him learn what it means to be a dog again. His best friend here was a dog named Brownie, also a long-term pit bull resident, and she recently got adopted. We're really hoping Mars will be next. Everyone here loves him so much," Sciple said.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Millennial's Theory on Why 'We Cannot Complain' About Loneliness Goes Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Pittsburgh woman has sparked conversation online about the link between loneliness and the supposedly millennial habit of canceling plans, after her post about the emotional consequences of flaking on friendships went viral on Threads. Leah Cass (@elleunchained), 38, shared her candid reflection on social isolation and community-building on July 27. The post read: "I regret to inform all of us that we cannot complain about not having community and also cancel plans every single time we feel like staying in bed instead of being awkward for a few hours." It has received over 12,000 likes. Speaking to Newsweek, Cass said she never expected the post to resonate so widely. "I noticed that while many people agreed, a few took it more personally, and I get it," she said. "I have spent quite a few nights canceling plans needing the alone time. "Personally, I have a tendency to withdraw when I'm struggling. I'm introverted, neurodivergent, and was homeschooled, so socializing has never been second nature." Her post, which called into question the comfort-first mindset many have adopted in social settings, struck a cultural nerve in perhaps the first generation marked by the prioritization of mental wellness, hyper-individualism, and burnout. Cass said the message was a reminder—first and foremost—to herself. Stock image: A lonely woman sits on a windowsill and looks outside. Stock image: A lonely woman sits on a windowsill and looks outside. Getty Images "I've come to realize that I haven't always made the effort to build the kind of community I long for," she said. "This post was really a reminder to myself and others that we can't say we want connection if we're not willing to take the sometimes uncomfortable steps to create it. "That doesn't mean it's easy. It's often much more tempting to stay in bed, unfortunately, but real connection requires us to get out there and try, even if we feel awkward." Cass, who began anonymously posting poetry to Instagram in 2015, said that digital vulnerability helped her forge meaningful connections online. Her following grew unexpectedly, eventually leading to the publication of five poetry books, one of which became an Amazon bestseller. Still, while writing may be her forte, Cass says the challenge of in-person interaction persists. "One of the biggest challenges we face is learning how to show up for each other in real, meaningful ways," she said. "Isolation has become so common, particularly since the pandemic. "While it may be awkward and challenging, our only way forward is together, and I've spent quite a bit of time reflecting on what that actually looks like." Leah Cass in a selfie (L) and her Threads post (R). Leah Cass in a selfie (L) and her Threads post (R). @elleunchained Cass' message echoes frustrations with the rise of "plan-cancel culture," where mental exhaustion or a desire to be alone justify bailing at the last minute, a behavior that some say undermines friendships. Several viewers shared their opinions in the comments. "People have made this their entire personality," one viewer said. "'I want to be invited but I'm not going to come'. It's the most selfish thing. Show up for your friends!" "To have a village, you must be a villager," another added. Social trends commentator Jo Hayes told Newsweek that millennial feelings of loneliness stem partly from a lack of deep in-person connection. "There are many reasons why millennials report this feeling of loneliness compared to previous generations at the same age," Hayes said. "A lack of the same social networks that previous generations tapped into is one reason—like church, community or volunteer groups, sports clubs." She noted that social media has replaced much of that community time, but often fails to offer true emotional sustenance. "Social media interaction, that, in many cases, is faux social, doesn't provide the same emotional or relational connection and benefits that in-person activities do, hence, loneliness," she said. Hayes added that packed schedules and over-commitment are also key contributors. "Millennials are also supremely busy—with super-packed, super-hectic schedules providing minimal time for quality social interaction," she said. "They may desire to go out for dinner with friends on a Friday night, but the packed week means all they have energy for is to curl up on the couch and watch a movie." That digital-first lifestyle may also be tied to what some have called the therapization of life—where therapeutic language is frequently used in everyday contexts as a result of an increase in younger generations seeking therapy. The Loneliest Generation One viral example that sparked memes and debate came from a 2019 friend breakup text message, in which a woman told her friend she was at "emotional and mental capacity" and could not hold space for her friend's emotions. Critics argued that mental health terminology is increasingly used as a way to avoid hard interpersonal conversations. Cass' post comes amid ongoing debate about how modern life has restructured friendship. From the slow disappearance of "third spaces" like libraries and community centers, to the economic strains that make socializing expensive or logistically difficult, millennials have reported higher levels of loneliness than generations before them. A 2019 YouGov poll discovered that 30 percent of millennials said they "always or often" feel lonely, compared to 20 percent of Generation X. While a 2025 study by Kaspersky looking into how millennials interact with digital platforms found that "approximately" 36 percent of millennials report that engaging with online communities has positively affected their mental health. The 2018 BBC Loneliness Experiment heard how 55,000 people aged 16 to 99 think and feel about loneliness. The results showed that 40 percent of the participants aged 16 to 24 said they felt lonely often or very often, compared to 29 percent of people aged 65 to 74. Hayes offered some advice to people tackling these feelings. "Be intentional about pursuing quality, in-person relationships," she said. "Arrange a coffee catchup with an old friend, join a church, volunteer at a soup kitchen. It's about balance, common sense, and going back to basics."
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Blondie the Lion Killed by Trophy Hunter, Sparking Outrage
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A trophy hunter killed a lion being studied by Oxford University scientists after it was apparently lured out of a Zimbabwe wildlife reserve, rekindling a bitter debate between defenders of trophy hunting and conservationists. The five-year-old lion called Blondie was killed on the edge of the Hwange National Park in northwest Zimbabwe in late June, three months after researchers fitted it with a GPS collar, the Africa Geographic travel company, which promotes conservation, reported. Why It Matters The killing comes 10 years after the killing of another famous lion, Cecil, that researchers had been studying for nine years, after it was lured out of the same wildlife reserve and killed by an American trophy hunter. Cecil the Lion rests near Kennedy One Water Point in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, Nov. 20, 2013. Cecil the Lion rests near Kennedy One Water Point in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, Nov. 20, 2013. Sean Herbert/AP Lions have undergone a catastrophic range reduction of 95 percent, with only about 24,000 lions remaining, conservationists estimate, because of poaching for the illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, according to the conservation group Panthera. The killing of a relatively young male like Blondie can cause turmoil in a pride with rival males often killing off cubs as they move into the dead lion's territory. What To Know Africa Geographic said on its website it had sponsored Blondie's research collar that was fitted by University of Oxford's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit in April. "These GPS satellite collars are fitted to track free-roaming lions, prevent human-wildlife conflict, and support long-term conservation," it said. The group said it believed Blondie was baited out of a protected photographic concession area over a period of several weeks and lured into a hunting area, where it was killed. "Despite wearing a conspicuous research collar and being younger than the recommended minimum hunting age of six years, this young lion was lured out of a photographic concession and killed in what many are calling a deeply unethical hunt," the group said. Simon Espley, chief executive of Africa Geographic, said he was dismayed and angered by the killing. "That Blondie's prominent collar did not prevent him from being offered to a hunting client, confirms the stark reality that no lion is safe from trophy hunting guns," Espley said. Trophy hunting is the practice of killing large game such as lions or elephants. Cecil's death triggered global outrage over trophy hunting. It is legal in Zimbabwe for professional hunters with a license, but critics say it is poorly managed. At the time of his death, Blondie was the dominant male of a pride that included three adult females and 10 cubs—seven cubs around one year old and three approximately one month old. "At just over five years old, Blondie was in the prime of his life. He was not a transient male on the periphery; he was a territory-holder, and a father. His sudden loss is expected to cause turmoil for the pride, with a high likelihood that incoming rival males will kill his youngest cubs," the African Geographic said. Zimbabwe hunting regulations mandate a minimum age of 6 years for lions to be trophy hunted, with a focus on mature, non-pride males, it said. The hunter involved in the killing declined to comment to Africa Geographic except to say that the hunt was "conducted legally, and ethically," the group said. Newsweek contacted the Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association for comment. Defenders of trophy hunting say the millions of dollars it brings in is crucial to support underfunded conservation efforts in places like Zimbabwe. Tinashe Farawo, the spokesperson for the Zimbabwe parks agency, defended hunting and said he had no information about Blondie being lured out of the park with bait, though adding that there "is nothing unethical or illegal about that for anyone who knows how lions are hunted. This is how people hunt," ABC News reported. Ten years ago, news of Cecil's killing sparked worldwide outrage. People at a vigil in London on July 30, 2016, hold candles and pamphlets showing an image of Cecil the lion, who was killed by an American trophy hunter in 2015. People at a vigil in London on July 30, 2016, hold candles and pamphlets showing an image of Cecil the lion, who was killed by an American trophy hunter in 2015. Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images After Cecil's killing, dozens of airlines restricted passengers from bringing wildlife trophies on flights. Also, African lions were listed in the U.S. Endangered Species Act, which prohibits the import of them altogether. What People Are Saying Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe parks agency, told ABC: "Our rangers were present. All paperwork was in order. Collars are for research purposes, but they don't make the animal immune to hunting." The group World Animal Protection said: "Blondie's killing is a painful reminder that a decade after Cecil's death, little has changed to protect these majestic animals from being exploited for sport and profit."
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
New 24/7 microchip scanning stations help lost pets in Lafayette parish
The Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center announced it recently installed free-to-use, 24/7 pet microchip scanning stations in three locations across Lafayette Parish. LASCC, in partnership with Friends of the Lafayette Animal Shelter, said the goal of the 24/7 pet microchip scanning stations is to help more lost pets get home faster and reduce the number of animals entering the shelter. The self-service scanners are now available in the following public parking lots: Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center: 410 N. Dugas Rd., Lafayette Lafayette Police Department: 900 E. University Ave., Lafayette Youngsville Police Department: 311 Lafayette St., Youngsville Each station includes clear instructions for scanning a found pet's microchip. These tools provide a critical after-hours option for people who find stray animals, especially when veterinary clinics are closed. 'The effort supports one of our top goals for this year: increasing the number of pets returned to their owners,' Shelter Manager Shelley Delahoussaye said. 'In 2024, LASCC took in 3,976 stray animals, but only 228 were reclaimed by their owners — a number that dropped by 77 compared to the year before. We know pets belong with their people, not in kennels. These new scanning stations give families another tool to help make that happen.' Microchips are a permanent form of identification and one of the most effective ways to reunite lost pets with their families, according to Lafayette Consolidated Government. Unlike tags or collars that can fall off, microchips provide a reliable, scannable link to an owner's contact information. In support of this initiative, LASCC is offering $15 microchips to all Lafayette Parish residents during weekday business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the shelter. Additionally, LASCC will host quarterly Saturday Microchip Clinics to expand access for residents who cannot visit during the week. The first clinic will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at LASCC. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Lafayette animal shelter launches 24-7 pet microchip scanners Solve the daily Crossword
