When dedicated rescuer Caryn logged onto Facebook one day, she stumbled across a post that immediately broke her heart.
It described a group of dogs who had been left locked up in the yard of an abandoned property nearby.
As a volunteer with the Humane Society of Mason County (HSMC), Caryn knew she couldn’t ignore it. When she realized that authorities weren’t arriving quickly enough, she decided to go there herself to see if she could help.
Not While I’m Around
The moment Caryn stepped onto the property and saw the dogs’ condition with her own eyes, she was overwhelmed with emotion.
“[They] were found abandoned, living in squalid conditions,” the Humane Society of Mason County wrote in a video documenting the rescue.
The backyard was in shambles — muddy, full of trash, and littered with dangerous debris. In total, six dogs were trapped there, including two inseparable friends, Hank and Scooby.
When the authorities finally arrived, Caryn received permission to organize the removal of the dogs. Thankfully, she had already secured safe places for them to go. One pup was taken in by People for Animal Care and Kindness, while the rest went under the care of HSMC.
Very quickly, Brutus, one of the rescued pups, found a loving foster home. The others — Scooby, Hank, Tucker, and Ringo — were welcomed by a compassionate foster mom named Donna.
Patience Brings Progress
Time passed, and while Tucker and Ringo were lucky enough to find their forever families, Scooby and Hank were still waiting.
The trauma they had endured made them extremely shy and hesitant around people.
“Both boys were incredibly timid of new people, situations and loud noises. [B]ut they thrived around other dogs, who helped give them confidence,” an HSMC representative told The Dodo.
Despite their fears, rescuers never gave up. They knew that somewhere out there were families patient enough to give these boys the love and security they needed.
Their patience paid off. A few months later, Scooby’s turn came.
“After 182 days with HSMC, Scooby has finally found his forever family! He loves his canine brother, and his new people will give him all the time he needs to feel safe and comfortable in his new home,” the representative shared.
Now, Hank is the only one still searching for a forever family. But given the incredible progress he’s made, everyone at the rescue believes it’s only a matter of time.
“Hank has made incredible progress in his foster home, gaining confidence every day. He is incredibly polite while playing with his older canine sister, who has severe arthritis, and he loves to race around the yard with his younger playmates,” the representative said.
From the fearful, withdrawn dog he once was, Hank has blossomed into a playful, gentle companion. The right family will be gaining not just a pet, but a loyal and loving friend.
If you think you might be that special someone, visit the Humane Society of Mason County’s website to learn more about adopting Hank.
Good luck, Hank — your happily-ever-after is coming soon!