Being in a shelter for a long time can really affect a dog. Many shelters see once happy and hopeful dogs lose their spirits after months of being passed over.

That’s what’s happening to Major, a dog in an Indiana shelter. He “cries endlessly” after spending more than 260 days there, having been rejected by his old family. But the shelter staff still hope that the perfect family is out there for him.

Major is a 4-year-old terrier/pitbull mix at the Humane Society for Hamilton County in Indiana.

He was found as a stray last summer. The shelter staff discovered he was microchipped and contacted his original owners, who promised to pick him up — but they never came.

Major has been in the shelter ever since. But despite that heartbreaking rejection, the humane society says that in the beginning Major was in good spirits, describing him as a “sweet and sensitive” dog, a “true companion with a big heart” who loves to play and loves his Jolly Ball.

The staff called him a handsome boy and nicknamed him “Major hunk” and “Major heartthrob.” But sadly, not everyone saw his great qualities: months went by, and Major was constantly passed over by adopters.