No matter how comforting or well-maintained a shelter may be, it can never replace the freedom and love of a real home. For many dogs, being confined, even part of the day, can take a serious toll on their emotional well-being.
They enjoy playtime, meet new volunteers, and share moments with other pups. But once the fun ends, they’re brought back to the same small enclosure — day after day. It’s disheartening, to say the least.
One dog in particular, Mya, has come to know this struggle all too well.
A resident at Halifax County Animal Control in Virginia, this beautiful Hound girl hit her emotional breaking point, and how she expressed it left the shelter staff completely stunned.
She Wasn’t Expecting To See That
Marissa Emerman, a seasoned volunteer at the Virginia shelter, recently posted a video that quickly captured hearts across the internet.
During one of her regular rounds, Marissa noticed something out of the ordinary: Mya had climbed up and perched herself on the top railing of her crate. As she moved closer, she realized Mya wasn’t just being playful, she was eyeing an escape route.
Though Mya was typically friendly and easygoing, Marissa knew this behavior was more than just curiosity. After months of waiting for a forever home, Mya had developed an unexpected coping mechanism: climbing.
“She’s officially reached her breaking point…Literally,” Marissa wrote in the video.
Mya, being a smart and determined Hound, had picked up the skill out of pure mental exhaustion. But what her daring crate climb really meant was simple: “Please help me. I’m ready to go home.”
The clip went viral, and it didn’t take long for the world to notice.
“Praying she finds her forever family,” one viewer commented.
“Obviously very smart and needs a lot of mental stimulation! I hope she finds a great home that will keep her busy,” added another.
For her safety, Mya was moved to a covered kennel, but she’s still waiting for someone to see past the bars and into her heart.
So Many Others Still Hoping, Too
Marissa, who runs a TikTok account called Shelter Tails, often shares videos of animals at Halifax County Animal Control. Her goal is to give these overlooked pets the exposure they need to finally find forever homes.
Mya’s story is not unique. As Marissa’s videos show, many dogs and cats are teetering on the edge emotionally, struggling with the stress of long-term shelter life.
While they’re all cared for and loved by staff and volunteers, what they truly long for is something no shelter can offer — a real home where they can run freely, snuggle up without bars, and simply be dogs.
Mya is still holding out hope, and so are countless others. Could you be the one to finally give them the second chance they deserve?