Senior Husky Cried Alone in Her Kennel for Months—Then Someone Finally Heard Her
Just days ago, the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society in California took in a new resident whose arrival left a profound impact on staff and volunteers alike.
Ruby, a 10-year-old Siberian Husky, entered the shelter carrying the visible weight of heartbreak. Once a cherished companion, she had been abandoned by the family she trusted to guide her through her golden years. The abrupt shift from a home to a kennel environment had clearly taken its toll—Ruby appeared defeated, her once-proud demeanor replaced with quiet withdrawal and deep sadness.
@savethedogs Replying to @Debovalencia when Ruby popped up on debs FYP, her dog heard the cries, and he started to cry with her 🥹 !! She jumped in her car right away and HAD to save her!! Ruby spent 8 months in that shelter after her family abandoned her and her brother Maximus. Maximus was also a senior and was very sick with siezures and had to be put down. You can hear the heartbreak in Ruby’s voice as she laid in her prison. All she ever knew was the family and brother that she lost! Now she has a new family that she can create new memories with! She can live her life in peace!! Thank you @Debovalencia !! You are an ANGEL sent from heaven! Thank you to EVERYBODY who comments and reposts ! reposts save dogs lives !! Whenever you see a shelter dog on TikTok PLEASE repost ! #losangeles #dogs #fire #animalrescue #doglovers #animalsoftiktok #shelter #animallover #angels #hope #love #husky #huskylife #huskies #huskiesoftiktok #huskylove #huskysiberiano #siberianhusky #siberianhuskies ♬ To Build A Home – The Cinematic Orchestra & Patrick Watson
Ruby’s heartbreak ran even deeper. She had recently lost her brother, who was euthanized due to declining health, leaving her without her closest companion. To make matters worse, her family decided she was no longer wanted, compounding her grief and plunging her into a state of despair. Shelter staff often found Ruby lying motionless in her kennel, her mournful howls echoing through the halls. Her sorrow was so profound that she barely had the strength to lift her head.
As days passed without any interest from potential adopters, Ruby’s spirit sank further. Her once-bright eyes now reflected nothing but quiet resignation.
A Crack of Hope
Luckily, Ruby’s heartbreaking cries eventually caught the attention of a volunteer coming to the shelter. This volunteer knew that if they didn’t intervene, Ruby would end up becoming one of the many forgotten senior dogs languishing in shelters because everyone overlooks them in favor of younger pups.
Determined to re-write Ruby’s fate, the volunteer took to TikTok to share a clip of Ruby in her miserable state, hoping someone out there would be touched enough to give this blue-eyed beauty a chance.
Then came the breakthrough….
Ruby’s clip completely shattered the heart of TikTok user @debovalencia, so much so that she couldn’t let this senior sweetheart continue with the shelter life. Debovalencia offered to adopt Ruby, bringing an end to her misery.
@debovalencia Ruby update! What a difference 24 hours makes. She's doing amazing! eating, playing, resting & getting to know us and her new home. Haven't heard a single howl now that she has a loving family once again. ❤️🐾 @savethedogs #sangabrielvalleyhumanesociety ♬ The Way Back – Zach Bryan
A Much-Deserved Happy Ending
Now enjoying her senior years in the comforts of a warm, loving home, Ruby’s new chapter couldn’t get any better. This once-heartbroken, abandoned pup knows what it feels like to be given a second chance, and her ear-to-ear smiles tell it all.
Ruby has settled well into her new home, and the memories of her abandonment no longer haunt her. The best part is, she also has doggie siblings whom she gets along with perfectly. It’s amazing to imagine the beautiful years Ruby has ahead of her, all thanks to a kind human who considered her worthy of a loving home.
“Ruby’s happy ending is proof that second chances can heal the most broken of dogs,” said pet rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka.
