Mokena Shelter Dog Looking For Home (Again) After Abandoned By Adopter

MOKENA, IL — Yoda—the dog, not the little green alien (though there's a clear resemblance)—had a home and then, just like that, he didn't.

The 4-year-old Staffordshire terrier mix described as a "pocket pittie" came to Mokena's NAWS Humane Society in 2023 as a stray from one of its animal control partners.

Volunteers quickly learned he was "smart, brave, and curious," and he became a shelter favorite, they've been picky about a home for the big-eared boy with a striking likeness to the beloved Star Wars character.

In November 2024, they thought they'd found it when a woman from Wisconsin applied to adopt him.

"It was kind of rare to have someone out of state adopt," Swyndroski said. "We had a person willing to make the drive, come out and meet him.

"We were really hoping that this was his big break."

They were shocked, then, when a week after leaving for his new home, Milwaukee Animal Control contacted the shelter to let them know they had Yoda. Swyndroski contacted his new owner, who shared heartbreaking news for Yoda: she didn't want him, after all. She wouldn't be coming back for him.

"He had gotten away from her on a walk, and she couldn’t catch him," Swyndroski said. "He was too much for her, and she didn't want him."

They took Yoda back with open arms, ready to give him a fresh chance at finding his person. They even took another dog and a cat back with them from the same animal control agency, she said.

"We were happy he was back with us, and he’s safe," she said. A

An unexpected twist in his story, Swyndroski and staff say he's right where he needs to be until he finds his soft landing. While disappointed the first try didn't work out, they're grateful he ended up back in the right hands.

"We were just worried, we wanted to make sure he was okay, and not injured," Swyndroski said. "... That nothing crazy happened. We were definitely shocked and worried. Once we got him back, we were very thankful and relieved that he ended up back to us, so we could start fresh with him. That he didn’t end up lost, or hit by a car.

"It was definitely upsetting, but focusing on that really doesn’t get us anywhere. Just happy to have him back, and start fresh. He’s been back with us, getting all the love. The staff loves him, and tries to spend as much time as possible with him."

Yoda needs to be the only pet in the household, she added, and though it shouldn't, it seems to work against him.

"We never expected him to take this long to get adopted," she said. "He prefers to be the only pet in the home, but that’s not really something that should be holding him back, necessarily."

They've gotten interest in him, but it's usually from someone who already has another pet in their home.

"We really would like to find a home where he could be the only pet," she stressed. "Someone active, ready and willing to help train him. Help him adjust to living in a home after all this time in the shelter. It’s going to be a big adjustment for him."

A "stocky little thing" weighing 45 pounds, Yoda is eager to please and knows his basic commands—but expects treats in return. He likes to keep his house nice and tidy and enjoys exploring outdoors, his ad reads. He is brave and curious, investigating unfamiliar sounds and obstacles he might find on walks.

He "loves kids with all his heart" and would love a fun family to play with, but given his high energy and strength, older children above 12 would be best.

They'd love to find him a home with a yard.

"... so he can run and play, have all the space he deserves to have," Swyndroski said. "We would love that for him."

They're puzzled that it's taking a bit to find his new owner, but they also aren't about to rush it. His next home will be his forever one.

"We don’t really know why it's taking so long to get him adopted," Swyndroski said. "He’s always been very sweet, incredibly cute."

The adoption fee for Yoda is $400, and includes neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping, Swyndroski said. You can apply to adopt Yoda online. Anyone with questions can email dogadoption@nawsus.org.

This time, they'll stick to potential adopters within the state of Illinois, Swyndroski said.

"We would, at this point, like to keep him in Illinois," she said. "Just for our own peace of mind.

"I want him to be close to us, for sure."