Even before the canine birthday boy arrived, people were lining up in NAWS ReTails Resale Center in Mokena to see him.
When Yoda did come through the entrance with shelter volunteer Linda Miller, there were cheers and oohs and aahs at the sight of the bundle of energy. His fans got nuzzles, licks and tail wags in return.
Several people seated in easy chairs even got the 60-pounder halfway onto their laps.
“I don’t know why someone would abandon this guy,” said Brooke Daufenbach, 11, of Tinley Park, who came to Yoda’s birthday party with her family, as the dog snuggled up to her in the chair. “That person was stupid.”
NAWS Humane Society staff and volunteers planned the party for Yoda’s 5th birthday because he’s there for nearly three years, longer than nearly all the other dogs at the shelter in Mokena. They’ve had other long-termers, including another current resident named Stitch, who has been there since puppyhood and is up-for-adoption. But Yoda seems to have set something of a record.
Yoda was actually adopted from the no-kill shelter in November 2024 by someone who lived in Indianapolis, but soon after was found roaming the streets by Animal Care Services, which contacted NAWS.
“He’s got a lot of energy but he’s really sweet,” said Becca Keller, NAWS director of development.
When shelter staff contacted the adopter, they said “he was too much,” Keller said. “He probably had all this pent-up energy and was excited.”
Keller said she had wanted to do something for their long-term dogs and the idea “popped into my head.” Many of their dogs and cats are with fosters but Yoda stays at their Mokena shelter.
Several attendees said though they couldn’t take another dog home, they were big fans of NAWS.
“I wanted to come to see Yoda and support NAWS,” said Laurie Wunder, of Tinley Park, who has adopted two of her three dogs from the shelter, the last one right after another of her dogs had died. “They were so supportive … they bring the dog to your home.
“NAWS goes above and beyond when it comes to placing their dogs,” she said.
Sammy Farias, a volunteer who drove Yoda from the shelter to the resale shop, recently took him to agility training, in an effort to help him follow instructions a little better.
“He did really well, sitting and coming and playing with a squeaky ball,” she said.
Mother and daughter Ruth and Becky Craig, of Chicago, came to show their support as dog lovers who have a beagle at home after they saw the party advertised on social media.
“We’re dog people,” said Becky Craig as she stroked Yoda, who climbed into the chair with Ruth.
Yoda was treated to a bone-shaped birthday cake made with dog-safe ingredients. He also got a few squeaky toys and a birthday bandana and hat. There was cake and other goodies for people too.
But the main attraction was Yoda, and the hope that he would get a forever home.
“He’s my boy,” said Miller, who has been volunteering since a few months after Yoda came to the shelter. “He is such a good boy.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
