This Puppy Was Labeled ‘Vicious’—But His True Story Will Melt Your Heart!
Felix was just a 5-month-old puppy when Rocky Kanaka was first contacted to visit him at the shelter. Animal Control had been called to seize Felix from his family’s property, but not because someone else had called about animal abuse or endangerment. Felix’s own family called Animal Control and told them they had a “vicious” and dangerous dog that needed to be removed.
When Rocky saw poor Felix huddled in his kennel at the animal shelter, he could see that this puppy was scared and overwhelmed, but he didn’t see any viciousness. Felix was just a sweet, scared puppy and his previous owners had probably called Animal Control to avoid the responsibility of bringing their dog to the shelter, filling out paperwork, and doing what it took to keep Felix safe.
Getting Felix To Open Up
Rocky’s process when visiting a scared dog in the shelter starts with simply sitting together. Rocky will get down on the dog’s level and sit in their kennel. This gives the dog the chance to look at Rocky, give him a few sniffs if they want, or even snuggle, but doesn’t put any pressure on them to interact if they don’t want to.
During Rocky’s first few sessions of sitting with Felix, this young Shepsky (a Siberian Husky x German Shepherd mix) was terrified. Felix kept his body low to the ground, turned his face away from Rocky, licked his lips often, and whale eyed. Eventually, Felix let Rocky pet him, but he was still very reserved with none of the puppy energy he should have.
“It just hurt me, because he had a certain sadness about him. His old family called him ‘vicious’ and demanded he be taken to a shelter,” says Rocky, reminiscing about when he first met Felix. “He kept waiting at the kennel door, just waiting for someone to save him.”
Luckily Rocky has lots of experience with shelter dogs, and he knew that it just takes a little time and patience. Dogs have an enormous capacity for love, and their desire to trust and give and receive love always outweighs their fear.
Felix’s Sweet Personality Wins Him Hearts & A Forever Home
Felix finally started to warm up and relax, and just as shelter staff expected, he turned into a super sweet boy! And it wasn’t just shelter staff and Rocky taking notice of Felix’s winning personality: a family came to adopt him!
Felix’s new family is so excited to give him the best life, and they have Husky for him to play with and learn how to be a dog from! No one will ever label Felix “vicious” ever again, and thanks to Rocky’s hard work to bring him out of his shell, the amazing shelter staff, and the wonderful community that spread the word about Felix he is now in his forever home.
