Photos: Going Away Party for Spudster, A Shelter Dog Heading to Forever Home

(See photo gallery below)

NORTH FORK, NY - It's almost as if he knew he was ready to go home.

At his going away party Wednesday, Spudster, a shelter dog, 4, who's lived at the North Fork Animal Welfare League's Peconic shelter for two long years, seemed to smile non-stop as he greeted the crowd of visitors who came to say good-bye and wish him a happy forever life.

Last week, Gabrielle Stroup of the North Fork Animal Welfare League in Peconic confirmed the miracle: Spudster, along with a senior dog, Barkley, would both be adopted. Since then, another dog, Pretty Girl, has also found a new home.

At the party, Spudster got a pile of gifts, including a soft new blanket — he loves cuddling — dog toys and treats. Guests brought bone-shaped peanut butter sandwiches for the pups.

Spudster, who was found living in a car with his homeless owner, who couldn't afford to keep him, hasn't had an easy life, facing medical challenges including neurological issues.

But his new mom, a vet on a pecan farm in Georgia, found him on a Facebook page created by Stroup.

Friday marks the day Spudster reaches his new home. He left the North Fork Thursday with volunteer Stephanie Hunter, who drove him to Richmond, VA, where he spent the night with Melanie Hummel, a woman who adopted another NFAWL dog, Buddha.

"Melanie will then drive him to North Carolina where his new mom Elle will meet them — and she will take him home to Georgia."

"Spuds has been one of my favorite dogs since I met him. He is like a little joker, you can't help but smile when you meet him and he will smile right back. He has had some medical issues and so I think that is why it has taken so long. The woman that is taking him volunteers at a vet clinic so has easy access to vet care," Stroup said.

His new mom is eagerly awaiting Spudster's arrival, sending photos and asking Stroup which doggy bed he'll like best.

The NFAWL family said while they'll miss Spudster, all are thrilled for his happy ending.

"I adore Spudster," said Gillian Pultz, executive director of the NFAWL. "He's had so much trauma. But we never gave up on him. He so deserves a good home, even if takes him a few days to get there."

Volunteer Yvonne Gallagher said ever time a shelter dog finds a home, "It's a blessing." While some tears are shed as they say good-bye, she added, "You're happy for them. You want them to find their forever families."

Stroup has worked magic with her personalized Facebook pages, featuring the pups’ individual stories, as well as photos of the four-legged friends dressed up in adorable holiday costumes. Some of her adoption pleas have gone viral and received international attention.

Pretty Girl, who is also heading off to her forever home, enjoyed the party, too.

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