BOY, 9, ADOPTED A PIT BULL WHO WAITED 95 DAYS IN A SHELTER

A 9-year-old Texas boy named Cairo Hall adopted Waylon, a one-year-old pit bull mix who had waited 95 days at PAWS Shelter of Central Texas in Kyle, after impressing staff with detailed questions about dog care. Cairo and Waylon became a pair in June 2025, when Cairo and his mother, Marvy Hall, walked in with no plan to adopt.

Cairo had wanted a dog since he was 3, Forbes reported. The family was, in Marvy’s words, “just looking.” They left with Waylon.

Waylon already had a story. He was rescued from an overcrowded facility where he faced the risk of euthanasia. At PAWS he became a staff favorite and sometimes worked as an “office dog” behind the front desk.

Still, nobody had taken him home. PAWS adoption counselor Katheryn White said his size was part of the problem. “Sadly, big dogs tend to wait longer for homes,” she said.

She said large dogs can get passed over because of weight and breed restrictions in apartment rentals, or because people find them intimidating. White saw Waylon differently. “Waylon is the biggest gentle giant,” she said.

The questions that won over the shelter

Cairo and Waylon headed to an off-leash area to get acquainted. Cairo asked Waylon to sit and rewarded him with treats.

Back inside, Cairo quizzed the staff like a seasoned owner. He asked about Waylon’s diet, his fears, heartworm prevention, positive training techniques and microchip registration. He had researched dog care on YouTube before the visit, according to Forbes.

White said the staff were greatly impressed. “It was a special moment,” Cairo said of the visit, and he added, “I just knew he was the one.”

Marvy said the change at home was easy to see. “It’s been wonderful to see Cairo so joyful and busy with him.”

Life after the shelter

At home, the two settled into tug-of-war, training sessions and plenty of cuddling. “Now, they are inseparable,” White said.

Cairo started an Instagram account, @waylonandcai, to document their adventures. Planned outings included a minor league game and a summer beach trip. He said he hoped his story would push others to consider adopting shelter dogs.

He had big plans of his own, too. Cairo said he aspired to become an actor or a famous hockey player, and had also dreamed of engineering and chess.

The story spread beyond Texas. PetHelpful reported that dog mom and podcast host Dianne Scott shared it on Instagram in early June 2025. One commenter, @postnote, wrote: “Can’t love this enough. Waylon couldn’t be prouder of his new forever buddy. What a sweet young boy.”

My Modern Met reported that Cairo later used his social channels to share information about dog behavior, collars and heartworm prevention. He also encouraged people to get to know shelter dogs through meet-and-greets or fostering before adopting.

He told The Dodo, as quoted by My Modern Met, “They have a whole other side when they’re out of their cages.” He also said some people were scared of Waylon because he was a pit bull. “I just wish for people not to be scared of him, love him like I do,” Cairo said.

A Doges Blog follow-up described Cairo as ten years old and said photos of him with Waylon went viral in late June 2026.

PAWS now lists “Waylon and Cai” among its adoption success stories, alongside The Dodo and We Rate Dogs.