It’s no secret that adopting a shelter dog changes their lives for the better, but adoption isn’t the only way to make a rescue dog‘s day. Shelter dogs spend the majority of every day alone in a kennel, so even small gestures can make a world of difference. No one knows this better than animal shelter volunteers like @rachelishaa, who is a dog mom, a foster mom, and an angel to shelter dogs like Hunnit.
Rachel met Hunnit at ACCT Philly on April 8 after hearing he was the “most depressed dog in the shelter.” At 10 years old, he and his brother were found on the streets together, but his brother tragically passed away from a medical issue. The blind senior pup wouldn’t stop looking for his brother until Rachel became determined to cheer him up.
It’s heartbreaking to see a dog so shut down and depressed, but knowing that selfless people like Rachel and the staff at ACCT Philly are doing all they can for their furry friends is a big relief. Hunnit deserves all the love and attention he can get!
“Please, please, someone go get him in Philly, PA!” begged commenter @soft_clxoud. “He’s so sweet, and I’ll bet he’ll be the best snuggle buddy! He just needs a bath and a warm blankie and someone to love him!”
Related: 15-Year-Old Shelter Dog Couldn’t Be Sweeter Despite Being Abandoned and Betrayed
Rachel saw the gentle soul beneath the sorrow, too, though it took some trial and error to find the best way to help Hunnit open up. He wasn’t ready for a car ride, but sniffing out some yummy dog treats seemed to do the trick! This senior shelter dog’s day out was a bittersweet lesson in patience and flexibility, and it inspired others to reach out to their own local shelters, too.
@Rob2841 wrote, “Rachel, you inspired me to do this. Thank you for what you did.” Anyone can volunteer at an animal shelter, and no job is too small to make a difference. Whether you wipe down kennels or take a depressed dog out for the day, you can go to bed knowing you’ve made a positive impact.
Helping Hunnit Find Forever
As wonderful as it was to see this shut-down dog starting to feel like himself again, it would be even better to see him in a loving forever home. A few days after Rachel shared this moving video, she shared the update that everyone was waiting for—Hunnit was pulled from the shelter by a rescue!
“I photographed Hunnit today,” @thegoldquad wrote, “and my heart just broke for this poor boy. Thank you for featuring him, and I can’t wait to find his perfect home at Phoenix Animal Rescue!”
It’s only a matter of time until this resilient rescue dog is resting comfortably in a forever home, and it’s all thanks to the attention Rachel helped give him. This goes to show that a little love really can change a life.
🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.