A long-time resident of an Alabama pet shelter finally has a home – after spending nearly a decade waiting for one.

According to 2nd Chance Shelter in Boaz, Maggie Mae, a female black lab-pitbull mix dog that had been at the shelter since June 20, 2014, was finally taken in by a family on Jan. 13.

The Shelter, which cared for the rescue dog during that time, posted a happy birthday message on Facebook back on Jan. 3, celebrating Maggie Mae’s 10th birthday, which occurred on Dec. 20 of last year.

“A wonderful family saw my birthday post and wanted to come meet me and take me home,” the shelter posted, adopting the voice of the canine. “They really did show up and I am so happy to let everyone know that I went home with my forever family. After all these years, I am finally home. Home and family. What wonderful words.”

The dog was rescued by Marshall County Animal Control and brought to the shelter in 2014.

Jenny Harris, assistant manager at the shelter, said they have several dogs that have spent that length of time waiting for a family. But they had a special bond with Maggie Mae.

“It was bittersweet,” Harris said. “We all cried. We love all the dogs, but the ones who have been here so long, you get really attached to them. They have an extra special place in your heart. So we were crying, but it was happy tears, you know. We asked them to keep us updated, and we’ve heard she’s doing really well.”

The shelter cited two reasons for Maggie Mae’s long wait for a home. One was her black coat. There are several theories about why potential dog owners may pass over black dogs for ones with lighter colored coats – from superstition to potential worries about bad photos.

Another is that Maggie only likes male dogs.

Maggie has “to be the only Queen in the house,” the shelter said, in offering an explanation.

Maggie loves cheese and buttered toast, and during her time at the shelter, developed a reputation as a great kisser.