Sitting alone in a scorching rescue kennel for months can cause even the most resilient animals to lose hope. A heart-wrenching Instagram video posted by @fitbywhit_whitney_barr documents a five-year-old shelter dog named Wiley facing this exact reality. This sweet Siberian Husky mix earned the title of the oldest pup at the Avenal Animal Shelter in California.
For months, he’d been overlooked, yet the moment he stepped beyond the kennel with a volunteer and her children, it became clear there was so much more to Wiley than anyone passing his kennel could have guessed.
Human takes oldest shelter dog on weekend outing with kids
The moving video shows three young kids regularly visiting the lonely shelter dog to keep him company. A little boy reads stories aloud through the wire mesh while his siblings later play superheroes nearby. Wiley simply leans his body against the gate, patiently begging for a tiny bit of human touch.
During a recent visit, the family noticed a painful condition called fly strike starting to damage his ears due to the extreme heat. That’s when the mother decided that enough is enough and pulled him out for a weekend getaway.
It’s amazing to see his transformation once he is away from his cage. The shelter dog settles happily into car rides, enjoys walks, explores a bookstore, learns new commands with treats, and happily spends time with the kids. He even earns pup cups, gives kisses, greets strangers like old friends, and breaks into an excited little dance whenever something makes him happy. Huskies are known for enjoying activity and human interaction, and Wiley seems determined to make the most of every moment he’s been given.
According to the caption, Wiley sleeps well in his crate and enjoys learning. He loves people of every age and is eager to please. Hundreds of viewers quickly fell for him too, with one writing, “He’s so perfect!”
In an encouraging update, the volunteer shared that she couldn’t bear taking him back right away. So Wiley is now being fostered while he continues waiting for the family that’s meant to be his forever home.
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