It has been a challenge for a sick shelter dog to find his forever home, but an upcoming procedure could give the good boy a shot at a longer life and a family of his own.

Kobe is a 3-year-old English bulldog-pitbull mix, who has called the Smithtown Animal Shelter home since last November after coming from a bad backyard breeder. He's been passed up for adoption because of a heart defect called valvular pulmonic stenosis -- which means the heart valve between the right side of his heart and lungs was thickened and fused together.

But Kobe is still a star to those who have been around him.

"He is an amazing dog, so happy, always wagging his tail," says Denise Vibal, an animal control officer.

Dr. Josh Morgenstern says Kobe's issue creates a lot of pressure on his heart to try and pump blood and greatly reduces his lifespan.

"That usually makes people shy away from adopting him," says Vibal.

But luckily for Kobe, he's been put on blood pressure medicine, which has helped him, and allows him to get the procedure he needs next month.

"Surgery is ultimately going to open up his valve and be his best chance at long-term survival," says Morgenstern.

After Kobe's procedure, he will still need to see a cardiologist throughout his life, but they say Kobe should have a normal life span. The shelter says they are looking for a family that is willing to commit to that.

The shelter says Kobe is a great fetch player and loves to run around and have fun.