Dustin
Sometimes the dogs who need us the most arrive with the least understanding of why their whole world has changed.
Dustin came to us after his owner passed away. From the look in his eyes, we believe this may have been the only person he ever knew. Now, at 10 years old, he finds himself in a loud, unfamiliar shelter surrounded by strangers, barking dogs, and constant activity. Its heartbreaking to watch.
Dustin is a big boy, weighing around 80 pounds, but underneath that large frame is a gentle senior who is understandably confused and a little shut down right now. He walks slowly, likely due to some arthritis, and he could really use a spa day and a good grooming to help him feel more comfortable. Right now, hes simply trying to make sense of a situation he never asked for.
And to make matters even harder, Dustin is unfortunately being housed in one of our outdoor kennels because we are so full. We hate that this is his reality right now. A senior dog who just lost the person he loved most should not be spending his days outside in a shelter kennel.
These are the dogs that tug at our hearts the hardest. Imagine if this was your beloved dog suddenly left without the person they loved most in the world.
We dont know how Dustin is with children. We dont know how he is with cats, and we are not going to overwhelm him with cat testing right now. He has not shown any reactivity toward other dogs, but truthfully, we think hes just scared. A calm, confident resident dog may help him feel more secure as he settles in.
What we do know is that Dustin does not belong here.
If you have room in your heart and home to foster this sweet senior while we search for a forever family, it would mean the world to him. Even a temporary place to decompress, stretch out on a soft bed, and remember what it feels like to be loved could change everything.
Please help us help him. Please share his story. Please tell your friends and family about Dustin. Somewhere out there is a person willing to give this sweet old soul a second chance, and we need to find them as quickly as possible.
If you're interested in fostering or adopting Dustin, please c
submit an application to:
Healthyheartsproject.org/adopt
. A team member will reach out within 24-48 hours.
Lets show Dustin that even after a loss, there is still love waiting for him.
