Overlooked and in Pain, This Shelter Dog Had Given Up—Until Love Gave Him a Reason to Hope Again
Justin — a 5-year-old mixed breed — arrived at the Humane Society Naples looking like a shadow of himself. Rescuers found him abandoned and all alone, his frail, exhausted body barely finding the strength to stand. His coat, once full and healthy, had thinned in the worst way possible, revealing scattered patches of inflamed skin.
Every inch of Justin’s skin was in agonizing pain due to untreated Demodex mange and persistent chronic allergies. On top of that, poor Justin was also suffering from severe ear infections and hematoma, an unbearably painful ear condition. But the real wounds — the ones his rescuers couldn’t see — were in his loveable heart.
@hsnaples Meet Justin – A True Survivor! 🐾❤️ Justin has been through so much. He arrived in terrible condition—abandoned, scared, and alone, with his health rapidly declining. We knew we had to step in and provide him with the urgent care and treatment he needed to recover. When Justin first arrived, he was so terrified that he wouldn’t let anyone touch him—likely due to the immense pain he was in. His skin condition appeared to be the result of chronic allergies and untreated Demodex mange, and he also suffered from a severe ear infection and hematoma. Thanks to our dedicated medical team and staff, Justin received immediate treatment, marking the beginning of his healing journey—both physically and emotionally. With time to decompress and the love of an incredible foster, Justin slowly began to trust again. He went from shying away from touch to snuggling up for love and attention. Fast forward to today—Justin is officially available for adoption! 🎉 He’s a happy, affectionate boy who loves meeting new people. The moment he steps into the yard, he’ll wiggle up to you for a big hug—hugs have become his signature move! He’s also a fan of sunbathing and playing with other dogs. While shelter life isn’t the easiest for him, he remains hopeful that his perfect match is out there. He truly deserves a loving home after everything he’s endured. Please share this post and help us find Justin the loving home he’s been waiting for! He’s currently at our main shelter and would love nothing more than to leave the shelter environment for a warm, loving home. 📍 Visit our main shelter to meet Justin, or email us at [email protected] for more information! #animalshelter #sickdog #dog #longtermresident #rescuedog #shelterdog #adoptme #dogvideos #reels #pittiesoftiktok #houndodg #pittielove #helpme #dog #dogsoftiktok #share #foryou #florida #doglover #mutt #dogrescue #adoptme ♬ original sound – Humane Society Naples
When Justin was brought to the shelter, the emptiness in his eyes told the story of a broken dog who had already accepted he had no place in this world. What Justin didn’t know was that his story was far from over; a new, beautiful chapter of his life was about to unfold, all thanks to the dedicated team at the shelter.
The Start of Healing
From the moment Justin came to the shelter, staff members took each day as an opportunity to show him that he was a soul worth saving. They ensured he received the best treatment for every condition he was ailing from, whispered gentle words of reassurance to him, and made sure that he felt comfortable.
As days went by, Justin’s health started to improve and the pain in his body faded. Staff didn’t rush him to open up; they let him heal emotionally at his own pace, acknowledging that he needed time to fully trust again after the abandonment he experienced. Slowly by slowly, the tender care from staff members started to remind Justin of what love and kindness felt like, and he got comfortable showing more of his true self.
Fast forward to today, and much of Justin’s fur has grown back. He has become the happy, healthy dog he was before everything fell apart, and it’s nothing short of a miraculous transformation.
A Thriving Dog Eager to Find His Forever Home
Justin’s once-shattered heart is now whole again, ready to love hard. He’s blossomed into an affectionate pup who no longer fears being touched but rather one who follows his human friends around, begging to be petted.
Justin has discovered his greatest weakness; giving big hugs without expecting anything in return. His favorite thing to do besides playing with his four-legged mates is sunbathing and chilling with the humans who never gave up on him.
This beautiful pup has bravely fought his way back to happiness, and the only thing that would make his happiness complete at the moment is finding someone to call his own. Could that be you?
If you’d love to make Justin’s wish come true, please visit the Humane Society Naples website for details on his adoption process.
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