At one high-kill shelter in California, heartbreaking stories are commonplace. Yet, this poor pit bull who couldn’t stop crying day and night inside of his cage moved even the most seasoned shelter employees.
Blue King (or Blue for short), lived with his family in California for about a year. He loved them wholeheartedly, but when the family decided to move, Blue became nothing but an inconvenience, so they surrendered him to Carson Shelter in California last month.
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
According to anyone who spotted the devastated creature weeping and whimpering inside of his isolated cage at the shelter, he was a sorry sight. Tears could be seen streaming down his face, and he clearly felt the sadness of being abandoned.
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
When someone came up to him and offered him a treat, he sniffed it, but wouldn’t eat. Instead, he just continued to cry out while gazing through the bars of his kennel door, shelter staff tried their best to cheer him up, but Blue seemed inconsolable.
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
Carson Shelter is a high-kill facility, so Blue’s time was drastically running out the longer he stayed there. Thankfully, volunteers from Saving Carson Shelter Dogs noticed Blue’s sad face and decided to help him. They shot a video of him and posted it on the organization’s Facebook page, hoping someone would want to adopt him, watch it here:
Someone took notice. Shortly after seeing the video, McKay traveled to the shelter to meet Blue.
“He looked very sad and depressed,” McKay told The Dodo. “He wouldn’t even acknowledge me at all. All the other dogs were making eye contact and wagging their tails, but he wouldn’t stand up, wouldn’t come see me. It was sad.”
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
According to Jennifer, Blue hadn’t given up on his old owners. “You could tell that every time someone walked by, it was like he was looking for them,” she said. “It’s like he knew he had been left there.”
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
Without a doubt, Jennifer knew she had to make Blue a part of her family, but the shelter needed to run behavioral tests on him before they could let her take him home. While she waited for her pooch, the hopeful owner visited the shelter with gifts for Blue every day.
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
As soon as Jennifer was allowed to take Blue home, she found that he had a whole lot more personality than she ever could have imagined. “He kind of tricked me,” she said. “I was expecting to get a really laid back, chill dog, but as soon as the gates opened in the kennel, he was super excited. And he loved riding in the car. He wanted to stick his head out the window.”
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
At home, McKay gave Blue a bath and took him for a walk. Then he fell asleep on the living room couch.
“He seems to be making himself right at home,” McKay said. “He has his spot on the couch.”
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
Blue has made a lot of progress in such a short span of time thanks to Jennifer’s tender love and care. However, he still has a long way to go. For example, he still needs to be trained to walk on a leash.
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
Now, McKay is showering Blue with all the love and affection he needs, progressively winning his trust. The memories of cruel abandonment are ebbing out, and Blue will finally feel safe and happy again.
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
Although Blue was lucky enough to get a forever home, Carson Shelter has a constant stream of animals who need help. If you’re interested in adopting a dog, check out the Saving Carson Shelter Dogs Facebook page.
Image Credits: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
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