Lewis Jimenez made a difficult decision four months ago when he had to return his pit bull, Titus, to the shelter where he had adopted him. However, unlike those who abandon their pets and never return, Jimenez kept his promise to come back for Titus and he has no intention of parting with him again. Titus, who was two years old when Jimenez adopted him from the Austin Animal Centre, captured his heart when he saw volunteers walking him around the yard. Although he hadn’t planned on having a pit bull, Jimenez knew that Titus belonged with him.
Jimenez was overjoyed when he first laid eyes on Titus, thinking to himself, ‘This is the perfect dog for me,’ as he recounted to The Dodo. Over the next five years, Lewis and Titus were inseparable, with Titus becoming like a big child to him. However, their bond was suddenly threatened by a decision made by the management company last year. Lewis was heartbroken to hear that he would have to part ways with Titus or face eviction. Facing a difficult situation with no alternate living arrangements and no one to care for Titus temporarily, Jimenez had no choice but to return him to the shelter.
The shelter staff were unsure if Jimenez would return for Titus, as they often hear promises from owners that they will come back but never do. Despite Jimenez’s claim that it would be temporary, it was tough for him to let go of Titus. Meanwhile, Titus struggled to adjust to shelter life, appearing miserable according to Olohan. The shelter environment proved to be extremely stressful for him, as he was visibly distressed and unhappy in his kennel. Although Jimenez and his family visited Titus as often as possible, each visit was an emotional experience for everyone.
“He would feel overwhelmed and really down,” Jimenez explained. “The volunteers would make notes like, ‘Titus seems off.’ That just fueled my determination to do whatever it took to bring him home.” The most difficult part of each visit was saying goodbye. “The staff would see them leave with tears in their eyes,” Olohan shared with the press. “The whole situation was truly heart-wrenching.” Titus stayed at the shelter for four long months, but Jimenez never gave up on finding a way to bring him home. Finally, Jimenez and his family were able to move to a new place where they could have Titus with them. According to Jimenez, everything worked out for the best because Titus now has a whole garden to explore in his new home.
Olohan recalled the emotional scene of Titus and Lewis reuniting, with tears flowing freely among staff, volunteers, and even Titus himself, who sported a big doggy grin in the heartwarming photographs that later went viral. Jimenez expressed his overwhelming feelings at seeing Titus again, giving credit to the shelter for taking such good care of his beloved furry friend. Titus, now back in the comfort of his home with Jimenez and his family, is enjoying some well-deserved relaxation on the couch despite the rules. It’s clear that Titus holds a special place in their hearts, and the effort to bring him back home was truly worth it for everyone involved.
