Loving South Dakota Dog Still Waits in Shelter For Almost 2 Years

There is an incredibly loyal, sweet South Dakota dog looking for a miracle. She has been waiting for a long time for a family.

This is Naya. She is only 2-years-old and has been at the Aberdeen Area Humane Society for a total of 669 days. That's almost two years in the shelter.

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Honestly, Naya's story breaks my heart. Staff at the Aberdeen Area Humane Society can't figure out why a dog that is "full of heart" keeps getting overlooked by potential adopters.

She's an affectionate, curious, and sweet mixed-breed dog that is great with kids. Yes, Naya can have "high energy" levels, but staff at the Aberdeen Area Humane Society wouldn't think that's why she's still at the shelter.

Here are some fun facts about Naya:

Give her a squeaky toy, and she’ll adore you forever.
Give her a yard, and she’ll show you her Olympic-level zoomies.
She’s smart, treat-motivated, perfectly potty trained, and never chews her bedding.
She greets every morning with a tail wag and perfect “sit” — even after a full year in a kennel.

That kind of spirit deserves a home. That kind of perseverance deserves to be seen.

To help share Naya's story, the staff at the Aberdeen Area Humane Society has entered this loving pup in the 2026 Pet Calendar Contest. This will give Naya the attention that she so deserves and has been craving for a long time. People have noticed her, too.

Praying for the perfect home for this sweet dog!!!

Look at that smile!

Awe, sweet Naya. Praying your forever family finds you. You deserve a home to call your own.

It would be amazing if Naya finds her "fur-ever" home before the holidays. We can't allow time to pass Naya by. Find out more about Naya here.

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