Clarence, a 4-year-old golden retriever mix, lives by one simple rule: love fully and never let go. And for this sweet, soulful pup, that means hugging everyone he meets — as if he’s afraid of being left behind again.
Clarence spent his entire life outdoors, never knowing the comfort of a real home. Then one day, his family abandoned him in a Walmart parking lot and drove away without a second glance.
There, Clarence met two other lost dogs — a German shepherd and a Chihuahua mix — and started tagging along with them.
Eventually, animal control stepped in and picked up Clarence and the shepherd. When they contacted his former family, the answer was heartbreaking: they didn’t want him back. Clarence was put on the euthanasia list.
But just in time, the rescue group Hounds In Pounds intervened, saving both Clarence and his friend from an unthinkable fate.
Despite everything he’s been through, Clarence remains one of the most affectionate and forgiving dogs his rescuers have ever met.
“He is sweet, gentle, and so grateful to be safe with us,” the rescue shared. “His golden fur shines like sunlight — and his personality does, too. He brings warmth and joy wherever he goes.”
Clarence is a big, fluffy lovebug who gets along with everyone — dogs, cats, and children alike. “He’s an angel,” said Cat Suzuki, founder of Hounds In Pounds. “He just wants to be next to you. This dog is a total mush.”
Soon, Clarence will make the journey from Georgia to New Jersey, where he’ll begin his search for the family he’s always deserved.
“He bonds quickly, so he’d thrive in a home where people are around a lot,” Suzuki added. “He’s a laid-back guy — the perfect snuggle buddy or movie night companion.”
Clarence is ready to find his forever person — someone he can wrap up in one of his famous hugs and never have to let go of again.
If you’d like to give Clarence the loving home he’s been waiting for, you can fill out an adoption application here. Or if you’d like to help other dogs like Clarence, consider donating to Hounds In Pounds.
