A shelter dog was left heartbroken after his potential new owner failed to show up for a planned meet-and-greet.
Fred, who is a 2-year-old Doberman, has been at Priceless Pets Rescue in Costa Mesa, California, for just over six months. Shelter volunteer and foster carer Kayla Faraji told Newsweek that Fred could not be more ready for a new forever home.
Faraji said: “He is the most snuggly, calming, and intelligent boy. When we are out on walks, he is nothing but lively and protective, and the second we get home, all he wants is love and belly rubs!”
Fred’s warmth of character is made all the more remarkable, considering the difficulties he has already faced in his young life. “Fred was found dumped at a rock quarry,” Faraji added. “That is how he got his name; he was named after Fred Flintstone!”
Despite all of this, however, Fred has struggled to find that special someone to take him home permanently. The sad reality is that shelter dogs have a narrow window of time in which to make an impression on a prospective new owner.
Researchers behind a 2014 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science examining interactions between shelter pets and potential adoptees, crunched the numbers and concluded that prospective pet owners interact with an average of just one dog per visit. These engagements last around just eight minutes.
Even then, things can still go awry, as Fred’s story shows. In a video posted to TikTok under the handle @xv_kayla, Faraji showed how excited Fred had been at the prospect of a meet-and-greet with a potential new owner.
Fred waiting to meet a potential new owner. Over 30 minutes, his excitement turned to despair.
xc_kayla
In the clip, Fred can be seen bouncing around, an excited ball of energy, waiting for them to arrive. However, after 30 minutes and no sign of them, the Doberman cuts a more dejected figure, with Faraji doing her best to comfort him, despite the pain of it all.
Things may not have worked out for Fred on this occasion, but Faraji has not lost hope of him finding a forever home. “Fred is honestly the perfect mix between a Velcro dog and a dog who has a calming mature nature about him,” she said.
The way she looks at it, Fred has all the attributes needed to be a great rescue pet to the right kind of person. “He is microchipped, neutered, and perfectly potty-trained,” Faraji added. “He is kid- and people-friendly and is loving to everyone who says hi to him on our walks, but can be selective with dogs and would do best as a single dog.”
Having cared for him first-hand, Faraji can also vouch that he makes a great roommate. “Fred barely ever barks. I leave him alone in my place without a crate, and he doesn’t chew anything up and never goes potty inside the house! He really is a special dog,” she said.
Faraji just hopes whoever that special someone is who’s ready to take him on arrives at the shelter soon. “It breaks my heart to think of him all alone in the kennel,” she said.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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