Elderly dog Fiona, 13, is finally adopted by couple after spending 11 years in a shelter

A 13-year-old dog who spent 11 years in a shelter waiting for its forever home was at last adopted on Friday by a couple in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Fiona, originally named Fergie, had spent over a decade at Second Chance Shelter in Boaz, Alabama, before she was brought to Albert's Dog Lounge in Wisconsin. 

She was then adopted by the animal-loving Saskowski family having spent almost her entire life in a shelter.  

Wanda McGee - who has brought hundreds of dogs from Alabama to Wisconsin through the rescue initiative - said that Fiona was brought to the shelter after being picked up by animal control workers. 

Speaking to WMVT, Ms McGee said: 'I mean, it's definitely a work of love. You know, you don't make any money doing this, for sure. 

'She came from animal control, and they had to trap her, actually, to catch her, and she was about a year old when we got her.

'She was pretty much feral and [she] just recently started letting us pet her.' 

Lindsey Decker, Vice President of Albert's Dog Lounge, said that she perused a number of different applications before deciding that the Saskowskis would be the best fit for Fiona.

'She's only the third dog I've ever rescued that has spent almost her entire life in a shelter,' Ms Decker also told WMTV.

'I am so joyful, like my heart is bursting for her. I'm so excited today. That she has a home like this amazing forever home.

Lindsey said that she had a checklist and was looking for a family who was able to be at home often, that already had other dogs and a fenced-in yard.

Speaking about how she came to adopt Fiona, Carrie Saskowski, from Wisconsin herself, said: 'I saw her story online and was just so overwhelmed with sadness that she was in the shelter for so long. 

'And no one would adopt her knowing how sweet she was. It was just so sad to me, and I thought, oh my gosh, could we have the best life together.'

The Saskowski's - who had already adopted two dogs from the Second Chance Shelter before welcoming Fiona - were touched by her story and were able to bring her to their home in Greenfield. 

Lindsey added: 'This glorious yard, dog siblings, pet parents who are just going to love her and give her the best last years of her life. I really I couldn't be happier. 

Within minutes of arriving, Fiona began settling into her new home.

'I really hope that this kind of opens people's eyes to adopt seniors and to know that they are wonderful pets, and you can have such a great life with them and they bring you so much,' Carried continued.

Albert's Dog Lounge takes in senior, hospice and special needs dogs. 

Decker says that they are part of a population that is often overlooked, with many dogs being euthanized due to old age.