A video of a dog’s sad face during an adoption event left viewers sad that no one gave him a chance.
The two-year-old shih tzu came in as a stray to the Carson Animal Shelter in California where foster parent Jan Vega volunteers. She was instantly drawn to him, noting his desire for attention.
“While I was there one Sunday, I saw him in his kennel and he seemed so desperate for some human interaction so I took him out to the play yard,” she told Newsweek via email.
After sharing a few videos of Rufus on her Instagram, Love at First Mutt Rescue saw and reached out wanting to help. She said they offered to rescue him if a reliable foster parent could be found, at which point she stepped up and took him home that same week. He became her fourth foster dog.
Vega took Rufus to an adoption event about three weeks into her fostering hoping it would lead to him to him finding his forever family. Although he was dressed to the nines, sporting a green sweater and bandanna, it didn’t happen.
In an October 19 TikTok video posted to the account @_jannnnv, Rufus can be seen looking around at the event with big, optimistic eyes, hoping that someone would give him a chance. Vega’s heart broke after he had no luck and she needed to take him back to her “little apartment.” But, much to her surprise, the video went viral, attracting over 580,600 views, 120,800 likes and 1,025 comments.
People were devastated to hear no one was interested in Rufus.
“That’s INSANE! I would choose this super cute little Shih Tzu in an instant. Ohh lovey,” said one.
Another pointed out: “AND he’s wearing his best fit but didn’t get chosen.”
Thinking positively, someone wrote: “As far as he knows he was just at a fun event, i hope he finds a home soon.”
Soon after posting the clip, good news started rolling in as Carson Animal Shelter was flooded with adoption applications for him.
“The rescue was overwhelmed with the amount of applications they received for him.” she said. “I got over 50 messages inquiring about him too. It was so awesome to see how a quick TikTok video was literally about to change this little dog’s life.”
After the rescue went through applications, Vega scheduled a meet and greet with his current owner. Rufus, who is now named Bino, lives with two dads and another shih tzu sibling, she said.
“Bino is so happy and adjusted really quickly in his new home,” she said. “I wish this was the reality of all rescue dogs. Shelters are full, rescues are full. We need more people to start adopting and fostering! Fostering is free and so much fun…We’re just so happy and thankful that he got his happy ending.”
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