When Hunter’s family brought home a new puppy, the two dogs hadn’t gotten along as the family had expected. Instead of working with a trainer or behaviorist, the family decided that it was time to turn their 6-year-old Hunter into the shelter.
Hunter was surrendered to the Houston Humane Society and immediately felt rejected and alone.
A Shoulder to Cry On
Randi Bertholet, a volunteer at the Houston Humane Society for seven years, described her first meeting with Hunter. She told The Dodo, “When I walked up to the kennel, at first I didnât even see a dog in there, until I looked in the corner. I saw him frozen in fear, trying to make himself invisible. I immediately sat on the floor, turned away from him, waiting for him to come to me. After a few minutes he cautiously approached me.”
When Hunter felt comfortable with Randi, he opened up his heart to her by sharing just how he felt about being abandoned at the shelter. He hung his head and snuggled right up to her.
https://www.facebook.com/HoustonHumaneSociety/videos/10156437767123971/
“I was so heartbroken for him,” Randi said. “I cried that night while laying in my warm bed with my dogs, thinking about him in there alone and scared.”
Randi caught the precious moment on video and captioned it, âEver wonder what a broken heart looks like? Well, there you have it.” Much to Randi’s surprise, the video went viral.
Thanks to Randi’s video, Hunter Houston Humane Society received some inquiries from potential adopters interested in giving him a new, real forever home.
Sure enough, shortly after Randi’s viral video, Hunter was adopted – and renamed Kenny – by Larry, David, and a sister dog named Dolly.
Pets Are Not Disposable
Another benefit to her viral video is the light that it shines on owner surrenders.
“Iâm hoping this sheds a real light on the reality of what dogs go through when their owners drop them off,” Randi said. “Perhaps itâs out of sight, out of mind for them. But I wanted them to see, so it was on their mind. They all are truly scared, confused, and devastated that the family, life, and home they once had is no more, and they donât know why.”
Unfortunately, many dogs are turned into shelters every day for the silliest of reasons, but we sure hope that Randi’s video can help change just one person’s mind.
To celebrate the happy ending to this particular story, follow along on Kenny and Dolly’s adventures on their shared Instagram account!
But of course, it’s equally important that you do your part by sharing this heartbreaking story with your family and friends. It may just save a pet’s life!
