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Heartbreaking Photos Show How Much Living In A Dog Shelter For 6 Years Changes A Dog
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Heartbreaking Photos Show How Much Living In A Dog Shelter For 6 Years Changes A Dog

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Photographer Sophie Gamand has been volunteering at animal shelters and rescues for about 9 years. Gamand travels around the country and takes pictures of dogs in need to help them find homes. One of her most known projects is called Pit Bull Flower Power, where she perfectly showed the gentle side of these often misunderstood doggos.

In 2016, Gamand visited the Calhoun County Humane Society in Anniston, Alabama. There, she photographed 54 dogs and most of them have since been adopted. But not Grey. In fact, he was brought there a few years before Gamand visited the place. And he’s still living there.

Recently, Grey sat down to pose for Emily Covington of Wags to Riches Photography, a group of volunteers who provide free photography services to shelters and rescues to increase positive outcomes for homeless animals.

When you put his newest portraits right next to the old ones, you immediately notice that the fur around Grey’s eyes and muzzle has become white, and his expression has gotten a bit more serious. Grey is getting older, and, sadly, it’s happening at a shelter.

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    This is Grey in 2016, two years after he ended up at the Calhoun County Humane Society in Anniston, Alabama

    Image credits: Sophie Gamand

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    Image credits: Sophie Gamand

    Image credits: Sophie Gamand

    Image credits: Sophie Gamand

    Grey grew up as a yard dog with his brother and mom but they all ended up at the Alabama shelter. “They had very little life experience,” Gamand told Bored Panda.

    His mom and brother were eventually adopted. Perry Carter (Grey’s brother), for example, traveled to NYC, was renamed Judge, and now happily lives with a Chihuahua.

    But Grey hasn’t found his forever home yet. “It’s sad to see these brothers’ paths diverged so dramatically over the years,” Gamand added.

    And it’s not like Grey is causing difficulties or anything. “He loves people. He loves treats and takes them gently. He has also learned to play, and how to be a doggie over the years.”

    “The shelter doesn’t see many adopters because of their location. They are in rural Alabama,” Gamand explained. “They work really hard at placing their dogs with out-of-state rescues, but often rescues will pick dogs who are easier to place.”

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    Grey’s only issue is that he doesn’t like other dogs. “He can’t have dog friends. He can walk past them OK, but face-to-face interaction has been an issue for him. So he needs to be the only pet at home, and probably won’t be able to have dog friends. That limits the pool of adopters even more. And so the years went by, and other — more adoptable — dogs took his place over and over again. That’s the sad reality for dogs like him, unfortunately.”

    This is Grey now

    Image credits: Wags to Riches Photography

    Image credits: Wags to Riches Photography

    Image credits: Wags to Riches Photography

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    Here’s what people said after seeing his photos

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

    Read less »
    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

    Read less »

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

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    Wreathy
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I don't usually cry at the sad stories, but this got me. I hope he's adopted soon after some exposure. He needs love.

    Load More Replies...
    Peachymiss
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope this beautiful man gets the loving home he deserves.

    NQ L
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No animals should go through this. They don't deserve any of this. So sad

    Load More Comments
    Wreathy
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I don't usually cry at the sad stories, but this got me. I hope he's adopted soon after some exposure. He needs love.

    Load More Replies...
    Peachymiss
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope this beautiful man gets the loving home he deserves.

    NQ L
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No animals should go through this. They don't deserve any of this. So sad

    Load More Comments
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