Bear the Dog Adopted - This Time It's Real

There was a sense of relief when a willing dog lover stepped up to adopt Bear, an elderly German Shepherd left homeless . The news came with an enthusiastic, exclamation point-riddled email from the woman who helped lead the charge for the adoption of 11-year-old Bear from a nearby animal hospital.

Unfortunately, the . A strict, no large breed lease agreement from the landlord of Bear’s prospective new owner meant the boy was once again in need of a home.

With time running out and Bear having used up much of what little time remained for him as a charity case, Angelina - the woman who first contacted Patch earlier this month asking for help in finding him a home - sent another email. This one also had good news, too. And now, days later, the good news has stuck.

Bear has “without a doubt” found a new home, Angelina, a friend of Bear’s late owner who declined to have her last name published, said in an e-mail Sunday morning.

The plight of Bear first came to our attention following the death of Gertrude “Trudie” Poole, 71, who died at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after succumbing to a lifelong battle with heart disease. Poole, described in her obituary as an animal rights activist, reportedly told friends towards the end that she only wanted to leave the hospital bed see Bear again and assure him that she hadn’t abandoned him.

“Trudie’s wish was for Bear to have a home if she passed away,” Angelina, an area animal trainer first told Patch. “She loved her dog and he kept her alive and fighting until she just couldn’t any more.”

The fight to find Bear a home was a challenge. Bear, although friendly with people and certified as a therapy dog, could not share a home with other pets. This proved to be the tallest hurdle, as it ruled out a large segment of the animal-loving population that already owns pets.

Patch alone received numerous e-mails and phone calls from people in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware inquiring about Bear, asking if he was good with cats, telling us that they could make it work even though Bear would need to share the home with another dog.

Eventually, the right fit was found and it appears as though Bear, finally, has found his forever home. Thanks to all of our Patch readers who took the time to call or e-mail about Bear or spread the word about his situation. Without your help it’s likely Bear might have remained homeless.