In Warren, Ohio, the staff and volunteers have nothing but praises for Nitro the dog at the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project . Playful and spirited Nitro, has been at the shelter for nearly seven years; yes indeed – it’s not a typo, he has been watching behind the shelter fence for a family of his own to arrive since 2018.
The Great Dane blend arrived at the shelter to have another chance at life after he was about to be euthanized at a Franklin County kennel. At the time, he wasn’t even a year old when he was about to be killed because he bit his leash.
In 2020, a foster family cared for Nitro, but returned him to the shelter after nearly a year. Since then Nitro’s daily view is from behind the same fence. And so it was time for Nitro’s story to be shared; he deserves to be in a real home.
On July 12, 2025 Pet Rescue Report posted Nitro’s story, and yes, it got results! Potential adopters met him and wanted to make him part of the family. We were all ecstatic and ready to post the success story when the heartbreaking news for Nitro had been posted on the organization’s Facebook page.
This is definitely not a post we wanted to post , but we remain hopeful for Nitro’s future.
Our hearts break for him, as we truly believed he had finally found his forever home.
Unfortunately, one of the dogs already belonging to the adopters didn’t get along with Nitro, and sometimes, just like people, dogs don’t connect for various reasons. And back Nitro came.
And so Nitro still needs that forever, loving home.
And let’s try again – for Nitro’s sake and of course, his future happiness having a home and family of his own.
He is easy to walk; likes other dogs, loves to go on long hikes and is extremely good at finding lost things. Along with great strides with training, Nitro has shown, the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project volunteers that he loves diving in the water; both swimming, and retrieving items.
“My name is Nitro, I’m about 8 years old. I weigh in around 90 pounds. I’m a very energetic boy, love to swim, hike and go on adventures. I’m looking for an active family. I do well with other dogs that I’ve met so far, but I like to chase cats. Did I mention I am a little scared of the dark? My favorite volunteer will leave a night light on for me. She is awesome. My future family will need to keep me on a schedule of lots of exercise to help keep me calm. I’m ready for my next start at life and to find my forever home. I have been at the shelter for almost 7 years and really could use a hero. I don’t understand why no one wants to adopt me. I am such a good boy.”
On September 10 – Nitro will have been at the shelter for seven years – let’s share his story with friends, family and social media and celebrate his adoption. We’ve done it before, and we can do again.
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