Losing a furry friend is one of the hardest things a person can go through.
Aubrey Turner and her wife lost their adorable pup when she was just three years old. In the beginning, even thinking about adopting another pup was out of the question. But as time went by, they realized just how empty their home felt.
So, they began applying to local shelters, hoping to be connected with a four-legged friend perfect for them.
Meet And Greet
When an optometrist assistant from Fort Wayne, Indiana, heard that a loving couple wanted to adopt a pup, they hoped their paths would cross with a lovely Golden Retriever named Bruce.
“Golden retrievers have been my favorite dog breed since I was very little, and I had always dreamed of having one,” Turner told People.
Initially, Turner came across Bruce on Humane Fort Wayne’s website. As soon as their eyes met, she felt a connection. After talking it over with her wife, the couple decided to arrange a little meet and greet with the pup.
“Senior dogs have a greatly reduced chance of getting adopted, so with him already being 9 years old and heartworm positive, I knew he wouldn’t have as great of a chance at adoption as other dogs would. I thought about him all night, and I still couldn’t stop thinking about him at work the next day,” she added.
When you take into consideration the life Bruce lived prior to arriving at the Indiana shelter, you can only imagine the state he was in.
“He lived in a shed outside, never getting the comfort of being inside a warm home or knowing a loving touch from humans. His grooming needs were severely neglected, as he came to us with long, matted hair,” Turner says of Bruce’s history.
When Turner met Bruce for the first time, he wasn’t doing great. He entered the room with his head hung and his tail between his legs, refusing to take any treats from Turner or the staff.
Despite this, Bruce still managed to gather some strength, giving Turner some soft kisses.
“When I looked into his eyes, it really felt like love at first sight. His spirit was worn down and battered but never broken. You could tell there was still a happy, joyful dog deep inside; he just needed a little help to let that side of him out,” she says.
That exact day, Turner decided to take this sweet boy home.
A Start Of Something New
The moment he stepped inside his new home, Bruce became super attached to his new family.
Something that took Turner and her partner by surprise was the fact that Bruce didn’t have any interest in toys. This was probably due to the fact that he never had any during his life as a breeding dog.
“Bruce definitely appears to have a little bit of trauma from his past, most notably when it comes to any sudden or loud noise, as this sends him into a panic. He gets very anxious when we are out of his sight, so I believe he has some separation anxiety from being neglected for so many years. Despite his trauma & difficult past, he is still the most loving, gentle dog I’ve ever met,” Turner says.
In a record breaking time, Bruce was able to transform from a shy, heartbroken pup into the happiest boy around.
Now, he adores spending time with all his fun toys. But there is definitely one that is his absolute favourite.
“His absolute favorite toy is his Lambchop (Lamby). This was the first toy we bought for him, and he immediately became attached to it. He never chews or destroys it; he just carries it with him to the couch to snuggle,” Turner says.
This adorable pup has become the happiest member of the family. Even though he is a senior dog, he is still a little puppy at heart. But Turner can never forget the horrific past this sweet boy suffered.
“One of the biggest things I hope people can take away from Bruce’s story is the damage that puppy mills and backyard breeding do. The adult dogs suffer, the puppies suffer, and in turn, all dogs in shelters suffer because the demand for puppy mills is still so high. Bruce suffered for 9 years so his “owners” could make a profit. There are so many wonderful, loving dogs in shelters who could be your best friend; you just have to give them a chance,” Turner concluded.