Surrendered Dog Stares at Shelter Wall for Hours, Waiting for His Family to Come Back
Written by Maeve Dunigan for the Dodo
“My name is Homer, and my life has recently been turned upside down. Yesterday I was at home with my family and today I am in this loud and scary place, feeling confused and dejected. Although the people around me seem kind, I don’t understand most of what’s going on. For hours I’ve just been sitting in the corner of my kennel ─ alone, miserable, and waiting for my people to come back and take me home.”
What Just Happened?
When Homer’s family was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender him to their local shelter, he ended up at Main Line Animal Rescue (MLAR) in Pennsylvania. “He is understandably very confused,” MLAR wrote in a Facebook post the day Homer arrived. “He is just sitting in his kennel staring at the back wall, as if he’s trying to understand where the life he knew has gone.”
Rescuers knew some of Homer's backstory. They also understood the heartbreak that Homer was going through. Welcoming him into their care with open arms, they did everything they could to let him know that things were going to be OK.
Homer’s Personality Begins to Shine
“Compassion matters ─ for both the animals and the people involved,” a representative from MLAR told The Dodo. “Situations like Homer’s are often far more complicated and heartbreaking than they appear from the outside, and judgment does nothing to help the dog at the center of it all.”
Kind team members gave Homer time to adjust, and little by little, the pup began to relax and trust his new friends. Before long, he was a shelter favorite.
“Homer is a lovebug,” MLAR said. “He’s so happy to get love and affection, and he loves his walks and time spent with our volunteers and staff!”
The Power of Second Chances
A Facebook post telling Homer’s story quickly received an outpouring of support. Adoption applications began pouring in, and one of them stood out from the rest. With the help of social media, Homer had found his new family.
“They are so happy to have him. His new mom says it is a privilege to have such a wonderful dog.”
“Our goal is always to help keep families together whenever possible, and when that can’t happen, to help dogs like Homer safely find their way to loving homes again,” MLAR says.
“We are incredibly grateful to be in a position to help animals in need and the people who love them. Stories like Homer’s are the reason we do what we do."
At the end of the day, kindness and compassion can truly change lives.
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