When a little pug-mix family arrived at the Benton-Franklin Humane Society (BFHS) in August, everyone instantly fell in love. The devoted mama and her three adorable puppies were full of life, bringing smiles to everyone who met them.
After a month of care, once the puppies were weaned, the family became available for adoption. Within just two weeks, the mom and two of the puppies had found their forever homes. But one puppy — a black bundle of energy named Mugsy — was left behind.
Overnight, Mugsy went from being surrounded by his family to sitting alone in his kennel, confused and scared.
“One day he had his mom and siblings, and the next, he was completely by himself,” said Julie Saraceno, a BFHS volunteer. “It just breaks your heart.”
Someone had expressed interest in adopting Mugsy, but they changed their mind at the last minute. Since then, he’s been waiting — watching other dogs leave while he remains behind.
“The poor guy’s just been sitting around, waiting for someone else to notice him,” Saraceno told The Dodo.
Mugsy’s sweet personality makes his situation even harder to understand. When he was with his siblings, he was playful, bouncy, and full of joy. But now, the noisy shelter environment has made him anxious and withdrawn.
“It’s so loud,” Saraceno said. “And now he doesn’t have his siblings or his mom anymore. It’s especially sad because he’s all alone and so scared.”
When Saraceno recently went into Mugsy’s kennel to offer him a treat, he was too nervous to approach her — not because he didn’t want to, but because fear had taken over.
Potential adopters might mistake that fear for unfriendliness, but Saraceno knows better. Beneath his shyness is a sweet, loving pup who just needs a quiet home and a gentle hand.
“He’s completely ready to go — he’s been neutered, has all his shots, and is such a good boy,” Saraceno said. “He’s been waiting too long. We’ve got to get him out of there.”
Mugsy may have lost his family, but his story doesn’t have to end in heartbreak. Somewhere out there is a person or family who will see him for who he truly is — a loyal, loving puppy waiting to give his whole heart.
If you’re interested in adopting Mugsy and giving him the home he deserves, you can find his adoption information on the Benton-Franklin Humane Society website.
