Tank used to have a home and a family he loved. He thought that it was his happily ever after until his owners surrendered him to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter on Long Island, New York.
The pup’s owners explained to the shelter that they decided to give up Tank because their other two dogs didn’t get along with him.
Losing the people he had adored his whole life was extremely difficult for Tank.
When he arrived at his shelter kennel he felt brokenhearted and withdrew to a corner of his kennel to hide from the staff.
Tank missed his family and he kept hoping that he would see them coming back for him.
Waiting For His Owner
Whenever he heard people approaching his kennel, Tank’s eyes would fill with hope. The pup would rush to the door thinking that it was his owner.
“Anytime you would come to the door, he’d kind of get perked up and be like, ‘Oh my God, is it my owner?’ And it’s just so heartbreaking to see him get let down,” Presley, the shelter staff told Cuddle Buddies.
After realizing that his family weren’t coming to pick him up, Tank would bend his head and retreat to his corner.
The shelter staff wanted to cheer him up and take him outside, but Tank refused to go out. He didn’t trust people anymore.
Tank guarded his heart because he didn’t want to be hurt again.
When Presley heard from one of her co-workers that Tank felt so sad that he didn’t want to go on walks, she went to meet him.
Once she came to his kennel and saw Tank, Presley’s heart shattered. The poor little dog was trembling with fear in the corner of his kennel.
Presley talked to him, trying to convince him to approach her, but he kept hiding.
However, this big-hearted woman didn’t give up. She kept speaking to him and giving him treats.
After realizing that Presley cared about him, Tank agreed to go for a walk with her.
Tank Opens His Heart To Love
The pup enjoyed spending time outdoors with Presley. He finally started trusting a human again and opened his heart to love.
“He turned into a completely different dog. He was so affectionate,” Presley added.
That first walk with her changed everything.
After that, Tank rejoiced every time Presley would come to his kennel and take him for a walk. He just wanted to sit on her lap and give her kisses.
Tank craved love. He also bonded with Paige, another shelter volunteer who gained his trust.
When Tank went on his first foster field trip with Presley, he enjoyed it to the fullest.
Since he wasn’t in the shelter, Tank could finally be a real dog. He kept wagging his tail and smiling.
Presley was glad to see how happy and relaxed he was.
She recommends that future adopters visit Tank a couple of times and give him the opportunity to build trust with him.
Tank continues waiting for his forever family at the Hempstead shelter on Long Island. He is eager to meet them and shower them with love.
Hopefully, this delightful Pittie will soon find loving humans who will never give him up.