Older dogs in shelters often provide a sense of comfort and companionship, but many are overlooked because of their age.
For one particular dog, the reason he went unnoticed wasn’t due to a lack of personality but because of circumstances beyond his control.
Henree, a senior dog who is deaf, lived at a shelter in Los Angeles, California. During a fire evacuation, he was accidentally left behind, not because anyone forgot about him but because he slept through the chaos.
When staff hurried to evacuate all the animals, Henree remained curled up in his kennel, unaware of the commotion. As he woke up, he found himself alone in the room where 60 other dogs had previously been.
The reason Henree didn’t respond during the emergency wasn’t that he was calm amidst the chaos. He simply couldn’t hear the sounds of the evacuation, unlike the other dogs who reacted loudly to the situation.
In the rush to ensure everyone’s safety, shelter volunteers had to make quick decisions, leaving no time to check each kennel thoroughly. This unintentional oversight left Henree behind, as the shelter couldn’t conduct a final sweep before evacuating.
“Forced to move quickly under life-threatening circumstances, shelter staff had no time to do a final walk-through before they were ordered to leave the property. In the chaos, Henree was accidentally left behind,” CUDDLY shared in a Facebook post.
Once the staff realized Henree was missing, they sprang into action, reaching out for rescuers to assist. A team arrived within 24 hours, ready to help the confused dog who had started barking when he realized he was alone.
Unfortunately, Henree’s delayed rescue meant he inhaled smoke, worsening his health, which was already compromised by an intestinal parasite.
Although his age and condition concerned the rescuers, Henree showed unexpected resilience throughout his treatment.
With just some medical care and a lot of love, Henree quickly regained stability and soon found himself in a foster home with Dillon and Olivia, a couple eager to make him comfortable.
What began as temporary care turned into something much more. Within days, Dillon and Olivia knew Henree belonged with them and decided to adopt him permanently.
“It didn’t take long for them to be unable to imagine their lives without him, so they decided to make things permanent. Henree was officially adopted, and he will spend the rest of his days being loved and cherished,” CUDDLY announced.
This uplifting conclusion is what everyone involved in his rescue had hoped for. Henree’s journey from a distressing evacuation to a loving home demonstrates the impact of collective compassion.
Now, this senior dog finally has the security and affection he deserves, thanks to a community of dedicated rescuers. Enjoy your golden years, dear Henree.
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