Pup leans ‘against the cold bars’ and watches other shelter dogs go home. Meet Octavious
.jpeg "The sweet “gentle soul” peers out of his kennel.")
An Ohio shelter is desperate to find a home for a wide-eyed, sweet dog who wants nothing more than to just be loved.
Meet Octavious, a young terrier mix who stares outside his kennel — the place he’s called home for almost 80 days, the Jefferson County Humane Society said in a July 31 Facebook post.
“Octavious, a gentle soul who has spent a heartbreaking 79 days in the shelter, waits patiently in his kennel, leaning against the cold bars as he watches others find their forever home,” the shelter said in the Facebook post.
“At just 2 years old, he is still young, with so much love left to give. Yet, the once vibrant boy is now showing signs of decline, with kennel sores marring his once pristine coat and his energy slowly fading.”
When in an unfamiliar environment like a shelter, dogs like Octavious will display signs like depression, which can lead to “emotional contagion” when overwhelming feelings like sadness can be transferred to fellow shelter companions, the Humane Society of the United States says.
Regardless of Octavious’ longing, he is still kind and capable to showing unyielding affection.
“Despite it all, his sweet nature shines through,” the Facebook post continues.
“Octavious loves children and enjoys the company of other dogs most of the time, although he may not be fond of cats. His eyes, once full of hope, now reflect a quiet sadness, longing for the day when it’s finally his turn to leave the shelter and find a loving family.”
More information on Octavious and other adoptable animals can be found on the Jefferson County Humane Society website.
The shelter is in Wintersville, about a 140-mile drive northeast from Columbus.
This story was originally published July 31, 2024 at 11:34 AM with the headline "Pup leans ‘against the cold bars’ and watches other shelter dogs go home. Meet Octavious."