Meet Solo, a resilient stray dog who spent his entire life wandering the bustling streets of Los Angeles. For years, Solo roamed the city, navigating the urban landscape and surviving alongside other street dogs. However, as Solo aged, his once boundless energy began to wane. His adventurous spirit subdued by age and illness, Solo found himself seeking refuge on a kind-hearted woman’s porch. Recognizing his plight, the woman took pity on the old dog and decided to call him Solovino, a poignant Spanish name meaning “he arrived alone” and symbolizing his solitary life journey. Despite her efforts, Solo’s condition did not improve, and he continued to linger on her doorstep. Determined to find a better solution for Solo, the woman reached out to Rocket Dog Rescue for help. Responding to her call, the rescue organization decided to take Solo under their wing. They arranged for him to be flown to San Francisco, where he would have a chance at a new life. In this new environment, Solo would no longer be a lonely stray but a beloved companion in a forever home.
Solo was soon placed in a foster home, where he spent the next year and a half. Despite being adopted several times, he was always returned, leaving those who cared for him puzzled about why this adorable dog couldn’t seem to find a permanent home. His restless behavior was a mystery to everyone until one day, Carol Messina stumbled upon his picture online. Deeply moved by his expressive face, Messina, an avid “Star Wars” fan, felt an instant connection. “As soon as I saw his face on their site, I wanted to love him,” she told The Dodo. “I have a cat named Solo because I’m such a huge ‘Star Wars’ fan, so when I read that his name was Solovino, I instantly thought, ‘Well, his name is Solo!'” She later discovered that his foster father had been calling him Solo all along. Convinced it was fate, Messina decided to meet Solo. Upon seeing his forlorn demeanor, she knew she couldn’t leave him behind. “When I met him and saw how sad he was, I knew he was going to stay with me forever, no matter what,” she said. Thus, Solo finally found the loving, stable home he had been searching for all his life.
When Solo arrived at his new permanent home, he was understandably quite fearful. After spending his entire life navigating the streets, it was no surprise that he was wary of people and new environments. According to Messina, Solo’s new owner, he kept his tail between his legs for months after moving in. He would flinch whenever anyone tried to pet him, and he was highly non-reactive to other dogs, people, and even cats. It was clear that Solo had endured significant hardships. Messina soon discovered that Solo’s hearing and dental health were much worse than his foster parents had initially realized.
Due to his advanced age and fragile health, Solo’s rescuers and foster parents were initially unaware of the extent of his severe dental issues and his near-total deafness. His inability to hear made him easily startled when people approached him, often causing him to react with fear and anxiety. This heightened sensitivity to touch further compounded his distress. The chronic pain from his decaying teeth left him despondent and disinterested in his surroundings, unable to find joy in the activities that might have otherwise lifted his spirits. However, after receiving much-needed dental treatment, Solo experienced a remarkable transformation. Freed from the constant pain and discomfort, his demeanor changed drastically, revealing a newfound sense of vitality and a more affectionate and trusting nature.
Solo now delights in running around, playing, and making new dog friends. It seems he has embraced his new life and its permanence, resulting in a much happier demeanor. “He doesn’t even seem like the same dog anymore,” our neighbors often comment, says Messina. For months, he hadn’t smiled or even opened his mouth to pant, but now he rolls around and dashes across the grass at full speed several times a day.
Messina commented, “I’m quite proud of his progress. He has inspired me to adopt other senior dogs in need of hospice care, as it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done with my life.”
