Riggs was more than just a dog — he was a loving, gentle spirit wrapped in fur, waiting patiently for someone to see his worth. Unfortunately, his journey was anything but easy. At just seven years old, Riggs had faced more rejection than most animals ever should. After being surrendered to a shelter not once, not twice, but three separate times, his desire to find a forever family nearly vanished.
Riggs’ first turn of misfortune came in 2019 when he was brought to Maricopa County Animal Control West in Phoenix, Arizona. He had been found frightened and alone on the street. Thankfully, he was microchipped—but when the shelter reached out, his previous owner refused to take him back. That simple phone call symbolized another door closed for this lonely soul.
Shelter workers did all they could to care for the heartbroken German Shepherd, and eventually, someone came along willing to adopt him. But Riggs’ hope was short-lived. He was adopted and returned three times. Each time he came back to the shelter, his eyes dimmed further, and his tail wagged a little less. By his third return, Riggs had emotionally shut down, curling up in the back of his kennel, head on the concrete floor, almost invisible to those passing by.
The story began to take a turn one Saturday evening when April, a woman from Goodyear, Arizona, felt an unexplainable tug at her heart. Already a pet owner with three cats and one dog, she had no plans to adopt another. Yet something inside her pulled her toward the local shelter.
When April arrived the next morning, the first dog she saw was Riggs. He lay motionless in his kennel, his spirit seemingly broken. April knelt before him, overwhelmed with emotion.
“When I first saw him I got down on my knees crying because I had never seen a dog look so sad,” April told Newsweek. In that moment, she knew Riggs was meant to be a part of her family.
Without hesitation, April completed the adoption paperwork and was overjoyed to learn she could take Riggs home that very day. Something changed in Riggs the moment he realized he was leaving the shelter for good. His tail began to wag, his eyes shined with newfound energy, and a faint yet genuine smile appeared on his face.
Once home, Riggs quickly adjusted to his new environment. April’s children welcomed him with open arms, and her other dog instantly bonded with Riggs as if they’d known each other forever. Despite his history of abandonment, Riggs was calm, loving, and clearly grateful.
- He was gentle around the kids
- Quickly bonded with April’s existing dog
- Was affectionate and eager to be part of the family
“He is a good boy and I cannot figure out why someone would abandon him,” April shared. “He is so good with our kids. Our other dog adores him, and he is so happy and relaxed now.”
Today, Riggs finally knows what unconditional love feels like. He spends his days playing with his furry siblings, cuddling with his human family, and soaking in all the care and affection he had long been denied. He wakes up in a warm bed every morning, surrounded by people who treasure him exactly as he is.
This transformation is a shining example of how resilient animals can be and how a second—or fourth—chance can be life-changing. Riggs’ journey from hopeless to happy reminds us that every animal deserves love, no matter their past.
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