
Meet DJ, the lively pup from the SPCA of Wake County whose enthusiastic zest for life almost kept him from finding his forever home.
This adorable, approximately one-year-old dog, with a penchant for splashing in kiddie pools, found himself back at the shelter not once, but twice, for being “too playful.”
DJ’s boundless energy and “in-your-face play style” proved to be a bit much for calmer companions in his previous trial adoptions.
As Samantha Ranlet, communications manager at the SPCA, explained, DJ “lives in a world full of rainbows and sunshine,” and his high-octane friendliness wasn’t always appreciated by resident cats.

Despite the setbacks, the dedicated staff at the SPCA were determined to find DJ the perfect family.
They even introduced trazodone, a medication to help manage his initial anxiety and channel his playful spirit more constructively.
The shelter’s heartfelt Facebook post, detailing DJ’s unique charm and need for equally energetic friends, quickly went viral.
Within days, animal lovers rallied, and by June 19th, DJ had found his match!
Renamed Nova by his new owners, he’s now thriving in a home with three other canine companions who can keep up with his “little-legged zoomies.”
His new family was fully aware of his playful nature and embraced it wholeheartedly, proving that for every spirited pup, there’s a family ready to welcome their vibrant personality with open arms.
Nova’s story is a heartwarming reminder that persistence, understanding, and a whole lot of love can lead to the happiest of endings.