Just like human beings, animals need to feel safe and loved to lead healthy lives.
Anyone who had experienced hardship or abuse knows that these experiences leave a real mark on our personalities. As a result of what we’ve been through, we develop strategies to cope with the world and other people. In healthy environments, those strategies may lead to us being social, friendly and open. In harsh ones, we may be defensive, aggressive or distrustful of others.
In one video making its way around the internet, the same phenomenon can be seen in a shelter dog.
The animal in question is Kanye, a shelter dog who was staying at the Breasta Animal Shelter in Craoiva, Romania.
As the clip begins, it becomes clear that Kanye is very afraid—he is backed into a corner of his kennel as one of the workers carefully tries to approach him. The dog’s body language also shows how unsafe it feels as it’s cowered up with its tail tucked under its body. Trying to pet a dog while they’re showing this behavior can be notoriously difficult.
Still, one brave employee sensed that Kanye needed to be shown love and affection.
As Kanye cries and yells, the employee keeps delicately petting him on his haunches.
After a few moments, something incredible happens. Instead of resisting, the dog’s cries of fear turn into a different yell of pain and sadness. Still, he turns towards the caretaker and starts to get slightly more comfortable with everything that is happening. While it took more than just the instance in this video to make Kanye fully comfortable, the staff never gave up and kept showing him all the love he needed.
Through their compassion, Kanye was able to make a huge change.
After a while, animal rescuer Kerry Wollacott put an update about Kanye on Facebook.
Wollacott’s post read:
I’m sure you all remember the now-famous crying pup, his video was spread far and wide his scream tugging on everyone’s heartstrings. Well here is little Kayne he’s just had a visit to the vets to have his vaccinations ready for him to leave Romania on the 17th Dec to start his new life in the UK. When he left Breast he weighed 6kg now thanks to lots of love and care he now weighs 9.5kg! 😊 huge thank you to a generous donator who paid most of the travel cost.
Kanye is now placed in a happy home and has several dog buddies as well!
Above all, Kanye’s story is a testament to the power of love to take people—and animals—out of the worst situations imaginable. Because of the kindness of his rescuers (and his own courage), Kanye was able to be placed in a warm home where he’ll live the rest of his life safe and happy.
Congratulations, Kanye!
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