Hearts have broken for a shelter dog who has repeatedly been “overlooked”—but doesn’t give up hope on being chosen.
Peanut, a 7-year-old mixed breed, is under the care of the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, having been transferred to them from another shelter.
While the staff members don’t know much about her past—apart from clear evidence she has previously had at least one litter of puppies and has “been through a lot”—Peanut is described as an “incredibly sweet, loving, and playful” dog.
Staff member Kaitlin Pechin told Newsweek: “She has this endearing habit of holding a toy in her mouth when she is in her kennel, and we believe it comforts her while she waits and hopes for someone to notice her.”
Peanut has now experienced an outpouring of love, after her rescue shared a video montage of her waiting in her kennel with her comfort toys in her mouth, eagerly waiting for her perfect family to come along.
In the clip, shared to the Humane Society of Broward County Facebook page on July 20, Peanut gazes lovingly out of the kennel, her tail wagging slowly, with a plush toy in her mouth.
As the montage goes on, it shows Peanut at different times and in different places, always with a stuffed animal hanging from her jaws for comfort—often while looking out the glass door of her kennel.
The rescue wrote: “She’s trying to comfort herself.
“7-year-old Peanut is having trouble getting adopted because of her age. So now she waits at the kennel glass with a toy in her mouth as adopters pass by, hoping someone will notice her.”
The rescue’s post added that Peanut has “been with us for some time, and we truly don’t understand why.”
Pechin said: “Unfortunately, older dogs like Peanut are often overlooked by adopters who want puppies, but she still has so much love and energy to give.
“She is great with kids and adults, and she might enjoy having a dog sibling, although we always schedule meet-and-greets to ensure a good fit. Peanut would bring endless laughter and companionship to a lucky family. She truly lights up around people!”
Animal lovers’ hearts broke for the older dog, awarding the post more than 16,000 likes, as one wrote: “Can’t understand why she’s still at shelter! She sits quietly with her stuffy in her mouth. So beautiful and sweet.”
Another posted: “Awww, this breaks my heart. She is so beautiful, and I hope that someone truly special will want to give her a happy and loving home soon.”
“Seniors are the best! I’ve never regretted adopting our seniors. Someone’s got to give this girl a chance,” another commented, as a third added: “Please see her! Please meet her! She is perfect and her age is perfect. Not a puppy you need to train and not too old to worry about.”
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that senior dogs have just a 25 percent adoption rate, compared to a rate of 60 percent for younger canines and puppies.
There are benefits to getting an older dog, however, with the ASPCA pointing out they have grown out of bad puppy habits, already have basic training and may be more likely to settle into a new home, and their personality has already been established.
In Peanut’s case, multiple agencies are also helping her get adopted: Benny’s Buddies and Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers are covering her entire adoption fee, and Dolly’s Dream will provide toys, treats and supplies “to help her settle into her new home,” Pechin said.
Anyone interested in Peanut can visit the rescue’s website and submit an adoption application, or visit the kennels in person, which open every day at 11 a.m.
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