Dog News

Older Dog Goes from Abandoned and Hungry to Forever Home

by ADMIN

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Delbert when rescued
Delbert when rescued

No one knows when or where Delbert was abandoned but he had obviously been without food for weeks when he finally found his way to the rural road where ARFhouse is located. He most likely was drawn to the sound of dogs barking.

Initially, Delbert would not allow anyone near him. However, after a few days of being enticed with canned food, he let a volunteer pick him up. He may have been so weak, he no longer could run!

As the pictures show, he was so emaciated upon arrival.  His hair loss was another byproduct of his starvation and not a result of a skin condition or mange.

Delbert became friendly with ARFhouse staff right away, though he exhibited depression and listlessness for weeks. After a bit of time, though, he became increasingly animated with people. He had a hearty appetite and enjoyed the canned Pedigree the staff offered him daily.

Delbert remained at ARFhouse for months and the staff thought he would spend the rest of his life there, since he was an older dog.

Delbert with Diane
Delbert with Diane

One day, though, a woman named Diane came to adopt a dog and was immediately drawn to Delbert. She liked his personality, which was really blossoming, and she wanted a mature dog. As is evident in the picture of Diane and Delbert on his adoption day, his transformation is almost miraculous!  Diane renamed him Dillon because he is the “marshal” of her back yard. He loves to lay in the yard, watching all of the wildlife, particularly the squirrels, and chase them into the trees.

Happy endings inspire us all!

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ARFhouse is a care-for-life canine sanctuary, caring for 280+ dogs on 45 acres in north Texas.  The facility’s mission is to rescue abused and/or abandoned canines and give them safe haven in a clean, secure environment until they are adopted.  Those that aren’t adopted have a place at ARFhhouse for life