CLARION CO., Pennsylvania (EYT) — Everyone loves a happy ending – especially when it involves a really good puppy and a wagging tail.

Recently, Badger, an 8-year-old Border Collie/Hound mix, finally found his forever home when he was officially adopted by Leah Conner, a Clarion resident and volunteer at the Tri-County Animal Rescue Center.

Until then, Badger was the oldest and longest-living resident at the shelter.

“He came here almost three years ago,” Conner said. “He was a super nice dog, but he always got stressed in the kennel. He was always my baby and one of my favorites.”

Leah said Badger was a very energetic dog and often got nervous and anxious in the kennel, so she started taking him for walks as often as possible. Soon he was going in the car with her and by December she was occasionally taking him home to sleep with her four other dogs.

Last March, he needed medical attention and Leah agreed to take him in for a while.

“I started thinking, ‘How could I ever let him leave here? He’s so comfortable,'” Leah explained.

On August 9th it became official: Badger had found a home with Leah.

According to Leah, he leads a fulfilling life.

“He loves it. We have to go for an hour’s walk every day. He sits next to the treat container every day. He has his routine.”

When Leah first started working with Badger, he was a little nervous and shy, but since he learned to trust her, his playful side has come out.

“He’s the biggest baby. He loves balls. He loves the garden hose. When he sees me outside watering plants and he’s standing at the window, he goes crazy,” Leah says, laughing.

Badger loves playing in the tube so much that Leah recently bought him a paddling pool for his birthday.

He is also spoiled with lots of treats. Eggs are one of his favorite foods.

“Now that he’s a spoiled brat, I have to make him eggs for his meals, and he likes runny yolks,” Leah laughed. “We go to Dunkin’ Donuts often and he gets a puppy cup when we go there.”

Leah has been volunteering at the Tri-County Animal Shelter for nearly six years, and she says many dogs, like Badger, are often passed over if they don’t immediately seem like “the perfect dog.”

“There are so many great dogs at the shelter who just need a little time and patience,” she added.

Volunteers are essential to helping the dogs and cats adjust to new people, and the Tri-County Animal Shelter is always looking for volunteers.

“We need volunteers for cats and dogs, even if it’s just handlers,” Leah said. “We always want them to be socialized because some dogs are so stressed and it’s so sad.”

She added that adopting a dog is a commitment and you shouldn’t adopt a dog if you’re not 100% sure. However, she said shelter dogs are sometimes nervous, which can scare off potential adopters, but often they just need some time to adjust and get to know you.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” she said. “Give the dogs a chance. They are worth the work and love you put into them.”

It’s safe to say that Badger agrees.