Duke was a true sweetheart who ended up on the streets through no fault of his own.
His owners dumped him without thinking twice and just like that, Duke lost everything. He became a homeless dog who longed to get a second chance at love.
When a good Samaritan found him near Markbreit and Gilmore in Oakley, they reached out to Cincinnati Animal CARE, a shelter in Ohio, and asked for help.
As soon as the rescuers met Duke, they were enchanted with his lovely personality. They were in disbelief when they saw the eight-letter word written on his collar.
Staff Consoles Duke
Duke’s owners scrawled the word ‘unwanted’ on his collar and abandoned him. The devastating declaration broke his rescuers’ hearts and left them shocked.
The staff was used to meeting pets who were loved by their former families but had to give them up due to housing and medical issues.
“This one hurts. Many of the animals who come through our doors were once deeply loved—by people who fell on hard times, didn’t know where to turn, or didn’t know we could help. But some… some come to us truly 𝑢𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑. And seeing it spelled out on a collar—“unwanted”—hits hard,” the shelter wrote on Instagram.
The good people sympathized with Duke. Nobody deserved to be labeled unwanted and to be discarded in such a devastating manner.
Since Duke didn’t have a microchip, the staff couldn’t find his previous family and learn about his background.
However, they knew that Duke’s family didn’t want him, so they focused on helping him find humans who would give him unconditional love he wished for.
He deserved to know what it felt like to be truly loved in return.
Duke Feels Deeply Loved
The shelter staff talked to Duke and promised him that he would never feel unwanted again.
They posted his heartwrenching story on social media, which resonated with their followers.
Everyone was heartbroken by the pain Duke had to endure and the harrowing way he was rejected.
Weighing in at 81 pounds, Duke’s size meant he might have waited longer to find a home, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case this time.
A great family came across his story and fell instantly in love with him. They adopted Duke eleven days after he arrived at the shelter.
The doggo was thrilled to meet his new family and to start a new chapter in his life.
From now on, all he will ever know is love and happiness.
We’re happy for you, Duke! Enjoy your life to the fullest!