Auron, the long-term resident of Son Reus — a dog waiting for a home

Auron, the long-term resident of Son Reus — a dog waiting for a home

More than 1,000 days in a kennel — and still curious

Sometimes a ball is enough to spark hope. In the yard of Son Reus, not far from the busy Passeig-Mallorca axis, a Belgian Shepherd runs around and gets excited when volunteers throw a tennis ball into the enclosure. His name is Auron. He lives in adoption zone number 100 and has now surpassed the mark of over 1,000 days in the shelter, and recent local discussions about the estate are covered in Algaida wants to buy Son Reus de Randa.

The people who care for him describe him in a public post as a dog with a noble character and an extraordinary heart. These are not empty words — watching him play reveals an attentive, lively dog who enjoys ball and water trough with equal delight. It is a small, solid moment in the often harsh everyday life of a shelter: a squeaky ball, footsteps on gravel, the clatter of bowls, scattered conversations among volunteers.

Why has Auron stayed so long? Some breeds are harder to place, and on an island with strong tourism and many holiday rentals, space in private households is limited. In addition, people sometimes do not realise the responsibilities that come with a large dog — daily exercise, clear rules, veterinary costs and time. Those expectations do not always fit the fast rhythm of some newcomers to Palma.

There are, however, good examples: some time ago another shepherd from the same shelter found a new home after about three years, following adoption campaigns organised by the facility, such as 30 Years of SOS Animal in Calvià: Between Birthday Cake and a Systemic Question. Such cases show that it is possible — when people take the time to look, understand and support.

A day at Son Reus is shaped by small routines: morning rounds through the kennels, at midday the dogs curling up in the shady spot, and in the afternoon the walks with volunteers. On a sunny morning you see retirees stop briefly and greet Auron with outstretched hands; children on their way to school linger curiously at the gate. The sounds of the city mix in: buses, distant construction music, a vendor calling from a kiosk. Other local projects highlight how dogs can find different roles in the community, for example Four Paws for Alcúdia: Ona and Tro Bring the Police Closer.

What can you concretely do to help Auron? First: show interest and arrange a visit — most shelters only rehome after a personal meeting. Second: plan realistically — a large shepherd needs exercise and guidance. Third: consider whether fostering or sponsoring is possible; both significantly relieve the shelter.

For Mallorca, rehoming long-term residents is important because it creates space for other emergencies and strengthens community ties. Dogs like Auron connect people: volunteers, neighbours, walkers. They remind us that the island is not only beaches and holiday apartments, but also everyday life, care and responsibility.

If you would like to meet Auron, contact the Son Reus shelter. Prospective owners should not make a spontaneous promise; success needs time, patience and a clear plan for the new life together. But those willing to take this path give a dog not only a roof, but a real home.

In the end there remains a small image: a dog with a tennis ball bouncing on gravel, water spraying into the air, a soft applause from volunteers — and the hope that after 1,000 days someone will finally say: 'Come home with me.'

Outlook: If you can imagine giving a dog like Auron a new life, get in touch with the shelter. Every adoption is a win for the island: fewer kennels, more room for rescues and a piece of everyday life that becomes more humane.