Even though shelter teams do everything they can to keep animals comfortable and happy, it is not always simple to achieve.
The dog in this story struggled to adjust as well. But, thanks to a clever idea from the staff, he finally got the chance to relax and shine.
Anxious Pup
Zappa, a 7-year-old dog, arrived at The Animal Foundation in Nevada after being discovered abandoned in a Las Vegas apartment.
Life inside the busy shelter was difficult for him. The constant barking and noise from the kennels made it hard for Zappa to settle.
“The shelter can be a strange and stressful place for most dogs and does not provide an accurate indication of how the dog will act in a home environment,” said Kelsey Pizzi from The Animal Foundation.
She explained that many dogs appear sad, anxious, and even depressed while in kennels, though that behavior rarely reflects who they really are.
Despite his struggles, the staff quickly fell for Zappa, especially his unique ears.
Our team couldn’t get enough of his ears, which didn’t quite fit his body.
A Day Away
The staff could not bear seeing such a sweet pup so uncomfortable. So they arranged for Zappa to go on a day trip with a foster carer, hoping the outing would help him open up.
They believed this break was exactly what he needed to come out of his shell.
“Foster field trips are a great way to give a dog a break from the shelter. It gives us a better representation of the dog’s true personality.”
That is exactly what happened. Once Zappa left the shelter environment, his real personality began to shine.
His adventure included a trip to Mount Charleston.
Fortunately, his foster remembered to take plenty of photos. In them, the once shy Zappa looked like a completely different pup, happy and relaxed while enjoying the outdoors.
“Zappa did great in the car. He’s also a great hiking buddy. He’s full of energy but walks great on the leash and never pulls,” said Zappa’s foster carer.
The fun did not end with the hike. Because he had been such a good boy, Zappa was treated to a yummy treat.
“After the hike, we needed a reward so we decided to get doggie ice cream. He got lots of pets from kids at the ice cream shop and he did amazing and was very patient.“
He also impressed by following commands well, although he sometimes stretched out roll-over time just to score a few extra belly rubs.
And honestly, who could resist that?
Forever Home
When he returned to the shelter, Zappa was like a brand-new dog, wearing a bright smile to charm potential adopters.
Not long after, he caught the attention of a woman named Tiffanie. She fell in love with him immediately and knew he was her soul dog.
Tiffanie adopted Zappa, and now the two spend every day together, enjoying long walks, belly rubs, and the occasional ice cream date.