A shelter is definitely not a place for dogs, at least not in the long run. Sometimes, it can be a stressful place with all the noise, smells, and other animals.
For some dogs, it can be so overwhelming that they isolate entirely for some time. Fortunately, dogs are creatures that are able to find their way out, and it is no different in this case.
Many of them reach for their favorite toy to make their time at the shelter easier. And, sometimes that same toy can bring the best in life to a pup.
Today’s story will prove it.
Finding Happiness In A Favorite Toy
When a two-year-old dog, named Ribeye, started living in a shelter about one year ago, he did not expect to stay in it for half his life.
He loves playing with the shelter staff at the Spartanburg Humane Society from time to time. However, he sometimes finds the rescue environment overwhelming no matter how desperately they try to make him comfortable.
And, what does he do? He finds comfort and joy in his favorite toys – tennis balls. He likes to carry them in his teeth, throw them, and he even knows how to poke them a little. Those little balls really bring back the smile on his face.
So, on June 14, 2023, it was Ribeye’s second birthday. Sam Clutter, an animal care technician and adaptation counselor at Spartanburg, decided to celebrate it by posting a video of Ribeye playing with a tennis ball on Facebook.
Rubber Rescue immediately reacted to the post and wished Ribeye a very happy birthday in the best possible way.
The Best Delivery In Life
Clutter was very excited, as she was expecting a delivery from Rubber Rescue for her Ribeye because she knew how happy he would be.
She made a surprise for him by filling a baby pool in the shelter’s yard with a bunch of tennis balls. After bringing Ribeye into the shelter yard, she overturned the cardboard boxes, and soon, the bright green balls were bouncing around the yard, much to Ribeye’s shock and delight.
He was so overwhelmed that he didn’t know what he was doing. First, he would take one ball, then another, and so on, as if he wanted to try them all at once.
“I absolutely loved seeing how happy he was receiving all his tennis balls,” Clutter said. “It absolutely made my day.”
Clutter was so happy seeing him so cheerful with those balls, but a real, loving home was still something that he was missing.
Forever Playful In His New Home
“He would love to have a family he can [go on] outdoor adventures or trips with,” Clutter said. “He would play all day with his future family. And at the end of the day, [he] would love to snuggle up and relax.”
It wasn’t long before Clutter’s wish came true. A lot of people got to see what Ribeye is really like, and how “infectious” his playfulness really is. Invitations for adoption of this playful “tennis player” dog started coming in from all over.
Not long after, great news came about Ribeye having a new “furever” home, and that his new family welcomed him with a set of the newest balls that they delivered.
Now, Ribeye will be able to play with his tennis balls whenever he wants, and it will certainly no longer be a way for him to escape those annoying loud noises of the shelter.