When Alva first found a home, her friends at Austin Pets Alive! were overjoyed, believing she had found her happily-ever-after.
Alva has cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological condition that affects the part of the brain responsible for movement, leading to mobility challenges.
After arriving at her forever home, Alva didn’t get outside enough. Without regular exposure to new people and experiences, her behavior started to change. She became fearful and defensive, even attempting to bite visitors.
Because of this, Alva’s family made the difficult decision to surrender her back to the shelter. Heartbroken, the staff worried that finding her a true forever home would be even more challenging.
Alva Kept Getting Overlooked
Source: Karen Hardwick via The Dodo
Alva couldn’t understand why she was back at the shelter. She wondered where her family had gone and why they weren’t coming for her.
Determined to help her, the shelter staff began working closely with Alva, providing training, love, and support. They hoped that someone would see her potential and give her a chance.
Despite making great progress with her mobility and behavior, Alva was constantly overlooked. Potential adopters weren’t willing to spend time with her and truly get to know her.
After 500 days at the shelter, Alva began to lose hope, wondering if she would ever find a forever family.
Falling In Love With Alva And Her Fighting Spirit
Source: Austin Pets Alive! via PEOPLE
Everything changed when Joe Rotunda stumbled upon Alva’s story while scrolling through Instagram. The moment he saw her photos and videos, he was captivated.
“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, he headed straight to the shelter in Austin, Texas. The staff explained Alva’s neurological condition and anxiety, but none of it deterred him. He was eager to meet her and give her the chance she deserved.
When Rotunda met Alva for the first time, she was wary of him. Anxious around strangers, she reacted defensively and snapped at him.
But Rotunda wasn’t discouraged. He had seen how affectionate Alva was with her shelter friends and knew she just needed time to feel safe. Determined to earn her trust, he committed to showing her patience and love.
Day after day, he visited Alva, spending time talking to her and getting to know her. And with each visit, he fell even more in love.
Rotunda Promises Not To Give Up On Her
Source: Austin Pets Alive! via PEOPLE
“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!.
Determined to help Alva feel safe, he worked closely with the rescue’s training staff to earn her trust.
Slowly, Alva began to notice how much Rotunda cared for her. She started looking forward to his visits, and before long, she began approaching him on her own. It was a huge moment—one that filled Rotunda with joy.
Wanting to take the next step, he arranged for Alva to have a sleepover at his home in Austin, Texas.
To make her feel comfortable, he set up a large, safe space in his living room. He placed multiple kennels where she could relax and covered sharp edges to ensure she could move around without injury. Every detail was designed to make Alva feel at home.
Alva’s Perfect Forever Home
Source: @adopted_alva
Once Rotunda had made his home Alva-friendly, he brought her home for the night. For the first time in a long while, Alva felt safe, happy, and free. It was as if she finally knew she was where she belonged.
The next morning, as soon as she saw Rotunda, her tail wagged with excitement. In that moment, he knew—Alva was ready to stay forever.
From that day on, the sweet pup filled his home with joy. All she had ever needed was someone to believe in her, and Rotunda was grateful he had given her that chance.
Source: Austin Pets Alive! via PEOPLE
Alva quickly bonded with Max, her new doggy sibling. The two became inseparable, spending their days playing and curling up for naps together.
With Rotunda’s love and patience, Alva’s anxiety and fears slowly melted away. The weight that once held her down was gone. She adores her dad, showering him with kisses and affection.
Now, she’s a completely different dog—happy, confident, and full of life. She loves her new home, and if her constant smiles are any indication, she knows she’s exactly where she was meant to be.