Last February, Blue, a Pitbull, was abandoned at the Carson Shelter, in California, just one year after being adopted. His family decided to move and didn’t want to take him with.It was an extremely painful moment for the canine. After arriving at the shelter, he had a difficult time with the solitude and fell into a deep depression.Nothing helped. Even hugs and affection left him unaffected. One morning, for example, a volunteer tried to give him a treat, but all Blue did was sniff it.
Source: Jennifer McKay / The Dodo
Alone in his kennel, he continued to whine with despair, echoing through the refuge. The painful situation grew worse the longer Blue stayed there, ashe was ina high-kill shelter.After a few weeks, if the animals aren’t claimed or adopted, they’re euthanized to offer a spot for new arrivals.
Source: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
Thankfully, the organization Saving Carson Shelter Dogs, came together to permit as many animals from the shelter as possible to find a family. Touched by Blue’s distress, the volunteers shared a video on Facebook, showing off the heartbroken Pitbull.And the images did their job. Jennifer McKay, immediately fell in love and contacted the association. She decided she wanted to the one to comfort and relieve Blue’s sadness. But when she went to visit, she was struck by the apathy and despair of the dog. Interviewed by The Dodo, she explained:
He looked very sad and depressed. 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.
Source: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
For Jennifer, it was obvious that Blue hadn’t accepted his abandonment and was still waiting for his family to come get him. She continued:
You could tell that every time someone walked by, it was like he was looking for them. It’s like he knew he had been left there.
Charmed by his vulnerability, she confirmed her wish to adopt him. But the shelter required the dog to pass a personality test. The wait was long for Jennifer, but she regularly visited.
Source: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
From his perspective, Blue didn’t seem to realize that the end of his nightmare was approaching, and he hesitated to respond to Jennifer. The young woman was patient and offered him some treats and a new bed:
I got a little bit of attention from him. He wouldn’t let me pet him or anything. But he liked his bed for sure.
Seven days later, the tests were complete and it was finally time for Blue to leave with his new mom. As soon as they were outside the kennel, an irrepressible joy took over. The dog showed a completely different side of himself, full of energy and enthusiasm. Jennifer remembered the first trip together:
He kind of tricked me. 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.
No surprise, the arrival at his new house went wonderfully. Blue quickly made himself at home and was affectionate with Jennifer.
Source: Jennifer McKay/The Dodo
The young woman discovered that the Pitbull had two adorable vices: belly rubs and…. mirrors! “We have a vanity that comes down to about his level, and he just sits there and smiles at himself and wags his tail,” she explained.”He just seems happy,” McKay said. “I got home from work yesterday, and he ran straight to me. He’s just a good dog. I’m super excited to have him be part of the family.”
