When rescuers first met Flapjack, the young pup was paralyzed with fear. The shelter’s noise, strange smells, and constant commotion were too much for him to handle.
He pressed his body flat against the cold concrete floor, trembling, and tucked his face beneath a cot — as if hoping the world would forget he was there.
Seeing how deeply shut down he was, the shelter reached out to Hounds in Pounds, a nonprofit rescue that helps dogs in crisis get the care — and second chance — they deserve.
“Flapjack was so shut down,” said Cat Suzuki, founder and president of Hounds in Pounds. “He wasn’t going to get adopted like that. So, of course, we agreed to help him.”
Flapjack had originally been found as a stray before being brought to Chapin Veterinary Hospital in South Carolina, part of Hounds in Pounds’ care network. There, veterinarian Dr. Parnell began working patiently with the frightened pup.
“When I first met him, he was crouched down,” Parnell said. “He wouldn’t look at you. He wouldn’t lift his head. He was just so timid and depressed.”
Dr. Parnell specializes in helping fearful animals adjust to care with compassion and gentleness. She treated Flapjack for fleas and ticks, then began slowly introducing him to people, other dogs, and new experiences.
At first, Flapjack only watched the other dogs play from a distance — but one day, something changed.
“After about two weeks, he decided to join in,” Parnell said.
Soon, the once-frozen pup was prancing happily around the clinic, tail wagging, his bright personality finally shining through. Hounds in Pounds shared his joyful transformation on their Facebook page, where thousands cheered him on.
“He opened up pretty quickly,” Parnell said. “He’s way different now.”
Flapjack turned out to be an energetic, affectionate dog who loves running, hiking, and playing with his canine friends. For Suzuki, watching that transformation never gets old.
“Shelter dogs never surprise me,” she said. “They’re such resilient creatures. Their will to survive and overcome is incredible — one of my favorite things is watching them blossom into who they were always meant to be.”
Now fully healthy and happy, Flapjack has moved into a loving foster home with a big yard and two Labrador retrievers to play with.
“He needed a place where he could run,” Parnell said. “And that’s exactly what he got.”
“Hopefully it’ll be permanent,” Dr. Parnell said.
Flapjack’s journey is a reminder that behind every scared or “shy” shelter dog is a heart just waiting for someone to give it time and kindness.
“Just give them a chance,” Parnell said. “A lot of people don’t give them enough time.”
To support Hounds in Pounds and help more dogs like Flapjack, you can visit their website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
