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FERRIDAY, La. — Diesel, who had been abandoned and brought to Concordia PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) almost three years ago, has been adopted, the shelter in Ferriday announced.

Bill Murphy might’ve failed as a foster parent but will make a loving forever family for Diesel, Carole Webber at PAWS shared. Murphy took Diesel home with him over a week ago to keep him warm from the winter weather.

“They instantly bonded together and have been inseparable ever since!” Webber shared on the PAWS social media page on Monday. “Bill, there are no words to express our deep gratitude for opening your heart and home with love for sweet Diesel. We talked about how he was left abandoned all alone before he was rescued. … Now he has a loving home and owner he so deserves!”

Dianne Watson, who retired from PAWS, said often big dogs, especially older ones like Diesel, get overlooked.

“People often ignore them and go for the little fluffy things,” she said. “They don’t get adopted right away. He’s a darling dog and Bill was so excited to have him. When he came by Monday to get his paperwork, he couldn’t wait to get back home to see (Diesel).”

Webber recalled Diesel being abandoned in a house and having health issues including severe mange when he arrived at the shelter nearly three years ago. He is a mixed-breed — possibly with some pit bull — with a beautiful brindle coat and has never been aggressive or unfriendly, she said.

“As soon as you sit down, he jumps up in your lap,” Webber said. He has cataracts and can’t see very well, but that has never bothered him. He would run around in the play yard and run right into our little tree and keep running. He’s just a funny dog.”

When Murphy came to PAWS to inquire about taking an older dog home out of the cold weather, Webber and shelter manager Colleen Bell immediately thought of Diesel, Webber said.

“As soon as Bill saw him, he got this big smile on his face and Diesel was smiling too. They bonded instantly. It was just for the intention of fostering, but from day one he took Deisel to Duncan Park and started walking him three times a day. He went to Walmart to get him a bed and came back with two. They hit it off.”

When Webber called to check and see how Murphy and Diesel were doing, Murphy told her “I cannot bring this dog back,” she said.

There are 12 dogs still taking shelter inside the office of Concordia PAWS when outside is too cold, she said.

“All of our dogs need a home but especially our senior dogs,” Webber said. “We do what we can do but this is their home forever until they get adopted or die. We’ve had a lot of foster failures when the weather gets cold like this. People realize how good and family-friendly our dogs are. I don’t want to pray for cold weather but it sure helps to get them into a home.”

To inquire about fostering or adopting a dog at Concordia PAWS, contact Webber at 601-334-1493 or Bell at 318-421-9957.