Dogs like their owners and give the nicest reactions when they return home, even if they only leave to walk to the mailbox. When you return, it’s all happy tails and doggy kisses, so it’s devastating to see a pet torn from its family. Back in 2022, a dog named Cow found himself in just that situation.
According to information provided by the dog’s family to the Louisiana SPCA, Cow was taken from his family. The canine made his way to the animal shelter after being discovered chained to a fence outside the SPCA. Cow was first apprehensive of his new surroundings at the shelter, and it took him some time to warm up.
NeNe Lewis from the Louisiana SPCA told The Dodo. “He was terrified and would softly growl when he met new people. When he was given snacks and people ‘baby talk’ him, he would stop. Because he was found tied to our fence, his reaction is expected.”
According to VCA Hospitals, “Fear- and anxiety-related aggressiveness is frequently displayed in the veterinary hospital or in settings of social approach and handling. canines that exhibit aggression are not mean or bad canines. They are merely afraid/frightened and anxious/nervous over a perceived or anticipated threat or negative outcome.”
Cow’s scared hostility is understandable given that he is in a new setting away from the family he knows and loves. Cow began to relax in his new surroundings after a while, as staff members looked for a family to adopt the black and white puppy.
Cow and the SPCA were surprised to discover that the perfect family was the one he had been missing all along. Cow’s owners had been desperately searching for their lost dog and were overjoyed to learn that he was safe at the shelter when they arrived in March.
Cow
While Cow had gotten used to his new surroundings at the shelter, he was overjoyed when his owners arrived to take him home. He jumped off walls and his owner’s back after lunging straight into her arms to be cradled like a baby. He missed his family, and he was precisely where he belonged, in their arms. The SPCA personnel had never seen Cow so joyful. Dogs have a difficult time in shelters because they are continuously trying to protect their space from various visitors. Dogs sometimes grow worried when they are sheltered for an extended period, making them always alert and prone to panic, which explains why Cow’s initial reaction is so common.
The Dodo: For Animal People
According to the ASPCA, there are currently around 6.3 million pets in animal shelters across America, with dogs accounting for approximately 3.1 million of those. Every year, more than 920,000 animals are euthanized, which is why the “Adopt Don’t shop” campaign is so widespread. While animals are in shelters, veterinarians care for and treat them until they are placed in a permanent home or reunited with their families, which is always preferable to euthanasia. Every year, over 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted, and approximately 810,000 of them are fortunate enough to be reunited with their families, just like Cow.
If you want to adopt a shelter animal, contact your local animal shelter or ASPCA.
