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Through The Shelter Doors One Last Time: Family Returns ‘Heartbroken’ Dog to Shelter After 8 Years
Interview With Expert
Probably most of us have heard saying that ‘sometimes we don’t get what we want, because we deserve better’. I guess that’s exactly what happened to an adorably cute dog called Max. The dog was brought back by his family to the same shelter they took him from 8 years ago as a puppy.
The heartbreaking story instantly went viral once it was shared by shelter employee Sarah Brown on TikTok.
More info: Sarah Brown
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Due to unforeseen circumstances, the family returned Max to the same animal shelter where they adopted him from as a puppy 8 years ago
Image credits: Pennsylvania SPCA
Image credits: Pennsylvania SPCA
Max found his way back to Pennsylvania’s SPCA shelter because his family was facing unforeseen circumstances and had no other option than to let go of the dog. The entire situation was so unbearably sad that the whole team at the shelter felt heartbroken.
Max was absolutely terrified and wouldn’t even eat. Next to the shared video about him which caught the attention of millions, was written: “POV: the only family you’ve ever known returns you to the shelter after adopting you as a puppy 8 years ago.”
“This job breaks my heart daily,” Brown added in the caption and mentioned that Max will soon be available for adoption again.
The video about the dog struggling with the unexpected situation reached over two million views on social media, therefore it didn’t take long to find a new loving family.
It appeared that someone from Max’s past decided to adopt him. “She was eager to get him back to somewhere he felt safe. Somewhere he felt loved,” the shelter shared the news. “And there was no better place than her home – forever,” they added, while keeping the person’s details confidential at the time.
After the TikTok video of Max went viral, someone finally gave him a forever home
Image credits: Pennsylvania SPCA
Image credits: Pennsylvania SPCA
A few days after the initial video about Max on TikTok, Brown shared the exciting update: “They say everyone comes into your life for a reason. I think it’s the same for dogs. Thank you to Max’s old friends, who have turned into his new family.”
The new owner was truly grateful for the opportunity to give a forever home to the dog: “I love our new boy so much, he’s such a sweetheart. Thank you all for your help, couldn’t have done it without you.”
Later on, people could see a collection of photos on TikTok of the smiley canine who finally found unconditional love and care with his new family.
“Hi guys!! thank you to everyone for the love & support! I’m officially not a shelter dog anymore! I am adjusting well in my new home, & I am so spoiled already!! Here are some pics of my first week at my new home! Give my new moms some video suggestions because they have no idea what they’re doing!” was written in the caption next to the video showing how happy Max is now.
Image credits: Pennsylvania SPCA
Cláudia Martins, from Loulé, Portugal is also familiar with such stories since she has been working for 5 years at an animal rescue center called ARA.
“I’ve always had a big passion for animals and since a young age, I knew that I wanted to work with them,” she explained. “I saw a very sad situation in Portugal with unwanted animals and how the shelters are struggling to survive. I wanted to help more, so when I had the invitation, I immediately quit my old job and came to work with ARA. So far it is the best thing I could have done,” Cláudia added.
When asked about what was the most heartbreaking story which had a happy ending, she mentioned in the interview with Bored Panda that probably the one about a dog called Vida, which means ‘life’ in Portuguese.
“Vida came to the shelter from the street in a very bad condition: super skinny, with no hair and terrible wounds,” Cláudia shared. “We started to take care of her and surprisingly enough, not a long time after, there appeared an amazing family who, despite the dog’s difficult situation, decided to adopt her. The day they came to the shelter to officially pick her up, they brought a collar and leash from their previous dog who had passed away. The beautiful coincidence was that they were the exact same color and pattern of Vida’s collar, so the entire family got very emotional and started crying. Vida is still alive and very happy!” the woman added.
Cláudia also noted that it is truly very important to think very well before coming to a shelter for adoption.
“I believe the most important is to think about if you’re really ready for a long term commitment since most of the dogs can live 15-20 years,” she said. “Also, no less important is to think of the expenses, patience, time, support… People love to adopt puppies but the truth is that most of them are not ready for the challenges and mess that will come together. So please, always take a look at the bigger picture according to your lifestyle and consider to adopt the older ones, because these are the ones who have been the longest in the shelters and need love the most,” she added.
Image credits: Cláudia Martins
Image credits: ARA
John Lennon once said: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end,” and it fits this story so well!
It’s always incredible to see what a difference honest care and unconditional love can make. Once terrified and deeply heartbroken, Max now is so happy that even looking at his new photos, you will smile from ear to ear and feel the warmth of true joy. True love in its purest form!
People on the internet couldn’t hold back their joy when the heartbreaking story of Max turned into a very happy one
What do you think ?
Jan 5 months ago
I'm glad he got a new home but I absolutely hate that this was written as if his original owners were evil. Sometimes things happen. They cared for him for 8 years. There was nothing about abuse. They didn't have him euthanized for their convenience. No they gave him the best chance to find a new home and for all we know they were heartbroken over it. When my sister died no one could take her dog so she went back to the same shelter she came from and I hope her story ended just as well as Max's.
Beef Brisket 5 months ago
Totally agree! Sounds like the pup's family hit hard times and the writer even admits it was due to circumstances beyond their control--so what's with all the judgement and hate? :(
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LadyHermit 5 months ago
I adopted my demonic angel, my first dog ever, after she literally came into my yard and that was it. But even before being blessed with her, I'd wanted to adopt from the shelter. Now, when she will inevitably pass into the Great Beyond, I plan to adopt yet another black dog, but a senior. That way I'll get to help a dog with very few chances of adoption otherwise, what with the color and age discrimination. They deserve our respect and love, just like every creature does.
Janelle Collard 5 months ago
You're the best + your next doggy will be very lucky to have such a good person looking after him/her in their twilight years.
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Dre Mosley 5 months ago
"Due to Unforeseen circumstances" We don't know what those circumstances are. Perhaps they had no choice other than to relinquish the dog to give him a chance at a life with another owner, at least they didn't have him put down, or just dump him somewhere. I'm not ready to just vilify them.
LadyHermit 4 months ago
Wholeheartedly agree with your balanced opinion, as well as other users'. Just because we dearly love animals doesn't mean we should vilify people in contrast, especially since we don't know the full circumstances. Sure the poor soul faced the shelter again after 8 years in a loving home, that must've been a shock for certain. But at least the shelter was a chance for him to find another home, no matter how slim, instead of being thrown out on the streets. I wouldn't know, but I think suffering from a broken heart and leaving your home is at least a lil' bit easier when you still have a shelter and food, compared to scavanging in the streets, being hit by cars, attacked by other strays, beaten by humans, starving and at the mercy of the elements. At least you get another chance, and a peacefull death as opposed to, most likely, suffering until you die in the streets. This depends on the country we're talking about, but developed ones do have good shelters from what I've read and seen.
Load More Replies... Jan 5 months ago
I'm glad he got a new home but I absolutely hate that this was written as if his original owners were evil. Sometimes things happen. They cared for him for 8 years. There was nothing about abuse. They didn't have him euthanized for their convenience. No they gave him the best chance to find a new home and for all we know they were heartbroken over it. When my sister died no one could take her dog so she went back to the same shelter she came from and I hope her story ended just as well as Max's.
Beef Brisket 5 months ago
Totally agree! Sounds like the pup's family hit hard times and the writer even admits it was due to circumstances beyond their control--so what's with all the judgement and hate? :(
Load More Replies... LadyHermit 5 months ago
I adopted my demonic angel, my first dog ever, after she literally came into my yard and that was it. But even before being blessed with her, I'd wanted to adopt from the shelter. Now, when she will inevitably pass into the Great Beyond, I plan to adopt yet another black dog, but a senior. That way I'll get to help a dog with very few chances of adoption otherwise, what with the color and age discrimination. They deserve our respect and love, just like every creature does.
Janelle Collard 5 months ago
You're the best + your next doggy will be very lucky to have such a good person looking after him/her in their twilight years.
Load More Replies... Dre Mosley 5 months ago
"Due to Unforeseen circumstances" We don't know what those circumstances are. Perhaps they had no choice other than to relinquish the dog to give him a chance at a life with another owner, at least they didn't have him put down, or just dump him somewhere. I'm not ready to just vilify them.
LadyHermit 4 months ago
Wholeheartedly agree with your balanced opinion, as well as other users'. Just because we dearly love animals doesn't mean we should vilify people in contrast, especially since we don't know the full circumstances. Sure the poor soul faced the shelter again after 8 years in a loving home, that must've been a shock for certain. But at least the shelter was a chance for him to find another home, no matter how slim, instead of being thrown out on the streets. I wouldn't know, but I think suffering from a broken heart and leaving your home is at least a lil' bit easier when you still have a shelter and food, compared to scavanging in the streets, being hit by cars, attacked by other strays, beaten by humans, starving and at the mercy of the elements. At least you get another chance, and a peacefull death as opposed to, most likely, suffering until you die in the streets. This depends on the country we're talking about, but developed ones do have good shelters from what I've read and seen.
Load More Replies...
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