SILVERDALE — On July 29, 2016, a homeless woman, living in her car, was forced to surrender her dog to Kitsap Humane Society because she was no longer able to care for him.

Her dog, a 7-year-old black American pit bull terrier named Dad, was immediately put up for adoption.

Now, five months later, Dad the Dog has finally found his forever home, adopted Wednesday, Dec. 28. But it was a long journey for him.

“We’ve had several people who are interested,” said Rebekah Johnson, events and outreach manger for KHS, before Dad was adopted. “Mostly they just haven’t been the correct home for him. We don’t want to put him in a home and then have him returned because it just wasn’t a good fit.”

Dad the Dog was, unfortunately, proving difficult to place, probably due to his special needs: He needs to go to a quiet home with a fenced yard, no small children and no other pets.

“He does have so many different needs,” Johnson said. “It could have something to do with his breed. (Plus), black animals in general are harder to adopt out for whatever reason.”

Since the day he was surrendered, KHS has had a few adoption events, one that saw nearly every single animal in the shelter adopted out. But Dad remained.

“It’s often hard when you have an animal that can’t be rehomed with other animals. That makes it more difficult,” Johnson said.

But despite his need to be homed with no other animals nor children, Dad the Dog is “just a really great dog,” Johnson said.

“Everyone here loves him,” she said. “He spent some time in our administrative office. Everyone immediately fell in love with him. He’s such a good dog, such a sweetheart, such a goof ball. He’s such a big love.”

On Oct. 28, Dad was featured in the KHS blog, in a post titled “Day in the life: Dad the Dog.” (www.kitsap-hu mane.org/2016/10/day-in-the-life-dad-the-dog)

The post described a typical day for Dad, starting at 6 a.m. for a walk with a shelter volunteer.

“Dad greets the volunteers with a huge smile, always ready and eager for his morning walk,” the blog post says.

Then, on days with good weather, he’s taken to a private outdoor area with toys and a bed. Volunteers often take extra time to play with Dad and keep him company.

“Sometimes, Dad gets to go on field trips around Kitsap County,” explained the post. “His favorite spots include the Old Town Silverdale waterfront (he loves to dip his toes in the water as long as it’s not too chilly!) and the Bucklin Hill Starbucks for a puppuccino (a dog-safe, coffee-free cup of whipped light cream). Even though he is kind of a big meathead and could swallow a whole puppuccino in one bite, he can be quite dainty and enjoy his frothy treat one lick at a time.”

Dog also receives training to learn new tricks and skills.

Then, at 6:30 p.m., “He has to go back into his lonely kennel in the shelter, where he curls up on his blanket and dreams about having a loving family, unlimited toys and copious kisses.”

KHS has posted on its social media pages many times about Dad the Dog, and how he’s still looking for a home. Recently, an animal-loving community member even donated the total adoption fee for Dad, meaning anyone who can provide the home Dad needs is welcome to take him home whenever — just stop by Kitsap Humane Society at 9167 Dickey Road NW in Silverdale and ask.

“We know that there is a home out there that will love Dad,” the blog post says.

“He’s just a really great dog,” Johnson said. “Everyone here loves him. He’s doing really well. He’s been here for a while, but he’s doing well.

“We all want to see him find his forever home because we all absolutely adore him.”

Now, finally, Dad has a new home, where his dreams of a loving family, unlimited toys and copious kisses can come true.

Learn more about KHS at www.kitsap-humane.org.

Michelle Beahm is a reporter with the Central Kitsap Reporter and Bremerton Patriot. She can be reached at mbeahm@soundpublishing.com.