Shelters are meant to be a temporary stop on the way to finding a forever family.
Unfortunately, many dogs spend too long waiting for someone to finally pick them out of the crowd and take them home. They watch potential adopters pass by their kennels, hoping that one person will look their way and decide that they are worthy of love.
A six-year-old Husky named Bark Wahlberg knows how it feels to be overlooked time and time again.
The pup has spent many months behind shelter walls. Although he waited too long, the doggo refuses to lose hope. As another holiday season approaches, Bark Wahlberg has only one wish.
A Place To Call Home
The pup was admitted to the Benton Franklin Humane Society in Kennewick, Washington, in May 2024. His owner surrendered him along with his brother, Ozzy.
Ozzy was adopted soon after, but Bark stayed behind, waiting for his turn.
Time passed by as the doggo kept watching the door, hoping the right person would finally walk in.
Volunteers made sure they showered him with love.
Julie Saraceno, a rescue volunteer, spent time with him both at the shelter and on fun outings. She posted a video showing Bark sitting in his kennel with a sorrowful look on his face.
Her caption reads, “I hope he knows that I pray every day that he finds a home and won’t see another Christmas here. This is Bark Wahlberg, and he’s on day 576 of being a shelter dog.”
So Much Love To Give
Saraceno shared more about Bark’s personality in an interview.
“He had grown up his whole life being an outdoor dog,” she said. “He is 6 years old, a Siberian husky, and very high energy. He loves pup cups, going for car rides, and getting butt scratches.”
Bark has a habit of sitting with his back against the kennel door. It’s his way of asking visitors for scratches, and it always makes his shelter friends smile.
Although he is a delightful pup with a sweet disposition, it’s been difficult for him to find a home.
Bark needs to be the only dog in a household, which makes the list of adopters shorter. Since he is also part of a breed shelters see often, it can be harder for one husky to stand out.
Saraceno explained that his ideal family is the one who enjoys outdoor adventures and car rides. They would also need to provide him with a lot of greenies and give him the back scratches he loves so much.
The footage of Bark went viral. People were moved by his story.
One commenter wrote, “I love him so much. I really hope someone can give him the life he deserves soon. He’s been waiting long enough.”
Bark is still hoping for his forever home in Washington. He has so much love to give to his future family, and the volunteers who know him best believe his moment will come.
They hold on to the hope that Bark will spend his next Christmas not in a kennel, but in a home of his own with humans who adore him.