Every day, shelter dogs wake up with the hope that they will finally meet their human and make them fall in love with them.
Hungry for love and affection, shelter pups try to attract the visitors’ attention as soon as they see them approaching their kennels. Most of the canines start barking and wagging their tails in hopes of being noticed.
Rudy was one of the quiet shelter dogs who was sitting in his kennel with his sad eyes fixed on the people who walked by. The delightful Pit Bull mix was rejected by his family and he badly needed someone to talk to him and tell him that he is worthy.
Noticing Rudy And Learning His Story
Source: @handsome_hank_and_pals
One of the people who walked into the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, in Pennsylvania that day, was a volunteer named Stephanie. She was grieving the loss of her heart dog, Hank, and she came to help the shelter pups and give them the love they lacked.
As she walked into the shelter, she noticed that all dogs were barking loudly except for one dog named Rudy. The pensive look on his face immediately attracted her attention and melted her heart.
“… He’s just sitting there looking at me, almost like saying please come talk to me.”
Stephanie was saddened after she heard Rudy’s story. He used to have a family who adopted him. After giving him hope and taking him home, they decided that they didn’t want him anymore.
Source: @handsome_hank_and_pals
They hurt his feelings after they let him out on the streets. He was wandering the area all alone, trying to find scraps of food in order to survive.
Luckily, The Humane Police found him and took him in. Rudy was in a terrible state; he was very underweight and his body was covered in fleas.
Stephanie understood the sad expression on his face and she began spending more time with him, taking him on walks and talking to him.
Rudy Leaves The Shelter
Source: @handsome_hank_and_pals
Little by little, she fell in love with him. She and her husband, Matt, decided to foster him with the intention of adopting him. She wanted to help him build his confidence back and help him become a happy pup.
Rudy walked out of the shelter and hopped into Stephanie’s car. The pup was relaxed, and he trusted her so much that he put his little head on her shoulder. Stephanie was overjoyed.
The next morning, Stephanie got very worried about Rudy’s health when she saw that he was chewing on his feet. She immediately called the shelter and they eased her mind, saying that Rudy probably had a food allergy.
Source: @handsome_hank_and_pals
She realized that she couldn’t take Rudy back to the shelter. He needed her and she was determined to help him figure out what was causing his allergy.
Rudy had his fur and saliva tested.
“..I started seeing what crossed over and started taking away those things,” Stephanie said.
He seemed to be getting better. After Stephanie noticed that his weight was fluctuating, she decided to have his microbiome tested. That proved to be a turning-point because she learned that Rudy had some food sensitivities.
After the resilient canine began avoiding the food he was sensitive to, he gained weight.
Completing Each Other’s Lives
Source: @handsome_hank_and_pals
Both Stephanie and Matt showered Rudy with love, and the pup loves to cuddle with both of his parents. With his adorable kisses, he lets them know how much he adores them.
“In the evening, he will take turns snuggling us. He will go over to dad, snuggle time and then after a while, like eight o’clock every night, he comes over and snuggles with me,” said Stephanie.
Although Rudy has gained confidence, he still needs some reassurance.
Whenever he thinks that he has done something wrong, he wants his parents to hold his paw. He needs to know that it’s okay.
Stephanie is grateful to Rudy because he taught her many things. He helped her cope with the loss of Hank, whom she will love forever. Rudy carved out his own space in her heart.
“I would like to tell Rudy thank you for finding me and teaching me how to be gentle with not just my grief but with him and that he is enough. You don’t have to fill those shoes. You have your own.”
Source: @handsome_hank_and_pals
The adorable pup often posts cute pictures on Instagram about his adventures and sweet moments with his parents and his cat siblings, Winnie, Boris, and Ty.
Rudy loves going hiking in the woods in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He also enjoys going on walks with his doggy friend, Gracie.
We’re happy that Rudy lives his best life. He knows that he will never be rejected and abandoned again. He and his mom have completed each other’s life.