A month ago, Millie was so frightened at the shelter that she would hide underneath her bed. Getting her to come out was still a struggle, so one volunteer decided to give the tiny dog a quieter day away from all the noise.
The video shared by @humanebroward follows the shelter dog on that outing as she rides in a car, visits a pet store, enjoys treats, and even gets a pup cup. Millie, who appears to be an American Staffordshire Terrier mix, seems to be cautious. But outside the kennel, she begins to show glimpses of her personality.
Shelter dog gains confidence with human’s help and is now ready to find a home
Millie’s day starts with a volunteer spending time with her inside the kennel. She is still shy, but the outing gives her a chance to experience a completely different side of life. At the pet store, she is carried through the aisles with her tail wagging. Later, she walks outside in a harness and settles onto a blanket in the car. She even sits in a sunny yard wearing a little beaded “Adopt Me” necklace.
Then the volunteer figures out something important. Millie loves food. She happily takes treats, gets a pup cup, and enjoys some sliced turkey before heading into a pet store, where she gets a ride around in a shopping cart. She passes a couple of dogs without reacting, giving the volunteer another encouraging glimpse of who she may be once she feels secure.
There is a cozy bed in the car, too, and plenty of quiet time. The hardest part comes when they return to the Humane Society of Broward County. Millie gets set up with a new bed, vest, toys, and other belongings inside her kennel. When the volunteer gets ready to leave, Millie seems to think they are heading back out together. She isn’t.
That moment is heartbreaking because the little dog who once hid from everyone is now upset that her person is leaving. The shelter dog’s video has received more than 4,200 likes, with viewers already rooting for her.
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