When a big, lovable dog named Chase arrived at Patty Baker Humane Society Naples in November 2023, everyone at the rescue believed his future was about to change for the better. Chase had been transferred from a small rural shelter where he had spent far too long being overlooked. The rescue team immediately saw what others had missed — a joyful, goofy dog with a huge heart who simply needed someone willing to give him a chance.
“He was a big, goofy, lovable guy who just needed someone to give him a chance,” said Becca Morris, CEO of Patty Baker Humane Society Naples. “We were happy to be that place for him.” At first, staff and volunteers were confident that a dog like Chase wouldn’t wait long. His friendly personality and playful nature made him an instant favorite among everyone who met him. But life had other plans.
Just one month after arriving at the rescue, Chase experienced a seizure. After medical testing, veterinarians diagnosed him with a seizure disorder and placed him on medication. Fortunately, the treatment worked quickly and effectively, keeping his condition completely under control. Chase also faced another health challenge. Persistent chronic ear infections eventually required surgery to remove his right ear canal, which left him with partial hearing loss. Despite everything he had been through, none of these obstacles changed the dog Chase truly was. He was still the same affectionate, happy dog who loved meeting people, wagging his tail, and flashing his signature goofy grin. Unfortunately, many potential adopters didn’t look past his medical history.
“Honestly, we think the seizure diagnosis scared people,” Morris explained. “Epilepsy can sound intimidating if you’ve never dealt with it before, even though Chase’s seizures were fully controlled. The ear surgeries and hearing loss probably made people hesitate even more.” On top of those concerns, Chase faced another challenge common for large dogs in the area. Many local housing communities and homeowners associations enforce strict breed and weight restrictions, which often makes it harder for bigger dogs to find homes. “Chase had a lot working against him on paper,” Morris said. “But none of it reflected who he actually was.” Days turned into months. Months turned into years. In total, Chase waited more than 700 days for someone to finally see past the labels and recognize the wonderful dog he truly was. Thankfully, while he was waiting, Chase had something that helped keep his spirit alive: the shelter’s Rescue Recess program. Through this program, volunteers take shelter dogs on field trips out into the community so they can experience life beyond the kennel. Chase quickly became one of the program’s stars. Those outings gave him the chance to explore new places, meet new people, and enjoy the simple happiness of being a dog. Whether it was a walk in the park or a day out with volunteers, every adventure kept his tail wagging.
“He got to go on adventures, meet new people, and just be a dog,” Morris said. “He never stopped being hopeful. He always greeted people with that big goofy smile.” And in the end, those adventures changed everything. One day, a woman participating in the Rescue Recess program met Chase — and instantly felt a connection. When she learned about his seizure disorder, she wasn’t frightened at all. In fact, she understood it better than most people ever could.
She had previously cared for a dog with epilepsy and knew exactly how manageable the condition could be. Even more incredibly, she runs a medical clinic that focuses on headaches and seizures for people. “It felt like the perfect match,” Morris said.
After more than 700 days of waiting, Chase finally went home.
Today, he’s thriving in a loving home where he’s completely adored. His days are now filled with belly rubs, comfort, and the companionship he had been dreaming about for so long. The road to his forever home was longer than anyone expected — but in the end, Chase found exactly the person he needed. And she found the dog who had been waiting for her all along. 🐶❤️