Shy Dog Waits On Shelter Euthanasia List Until A Florida Woman Notices Something Unusual In His Profile
After narrowly escaping a euthanasia list, a Florida dog with a cleft lip, a wonky walk, and a gentle soul proves that being different is simply beautiful.
A Lifesaving Connection
Wilbur was a very shy dog who found himself in the most frightening situation imaginable. He had landed on a shelter euthanasia list, quietly waiting for a miracle that seemed unlikely to arrive.
But fate had a different plan for the unique pup. A woman named Sarah and her daughter were about to step in and change his life forever.
Sarah’s daughter works with a rescue organization called Mythological Dogs. While looking through the urgent shelter profiles, she spotted Wilbur on the euthanasia list.
Knowing he deserved a chance, the rescue pulled him to safety. Her daughter immediately knew where the dog belonged, telling Sarah, “Oh, you should adopt this dog, Mom.”
The Mystery Of His Past
When Wilbur first arrived, it was clear he had been through a lot. His new family wasn’t entirely sure what was wrong with him at first.
He had skin issues and a cleft lip or palate that gave his face a distinct appearance. On top of that, he walked with a funny, hopping gait.
Sarah affectionately began calling him “wonky Wilbur” because of his unique movements. He was a puzzle they were determined to solve with love.
It was also obvious that he had a rough history before his rescue. His ears had been docked, and his tail was missing, making it hard to read his emotions.
Not A Morning Person
As Wilbur settled into his new home, his quirky personality quickly began to shine through. One of the first things Sarah learned was that her new dog is definitely not a morning person.
Every morning at 7:30, Sarah tries to take him outside to start the day. Wilbur obliges her, but he makes it clear he isn’t ready to be awake.
After escaping euthanasia, he just wants to be babied and comforted. He happily accepts the early morning attention before retreating back to bed.
He returns to his room and sleeps until about 11:30 every single day. Only then is he finally ready to get up and face the world.
Finding His Voice
In the beginning, Wilbur was incredibly shy and reserved. He didn’t make much noise and kept his feelings to himself.
But since his rescue, he has slowly come out of his shell. He has finally found his voice and isn’t afraid to use it.
Sarah loves greeting him in the late morning with a cheerful “Good morning, Wilbur.” He responds with a big stretch and a happy tune.
He has learned how to “sing” to his mom, a beautiful sign that he finally feels safe. It’s a daily reminder of how far he has come.
Figuring Out How To Play
Because he doesn’t have a tail to wag, Sarah has to look for other signs that Wilbur is happy. Thankfully, his newfound love for playtime says it all.
They are actively working on getting him used to toys. When he plays, he does an adorable “hopping thing” that matches his wonky walk.
Finding the right toys has been a bit of a challenge. Because his mouth is shaped differently from his cleft lip, he cannot grasp things very well.
He recently managed to play with a ball, but Sarah found a better solution. She gave him a toy octopus with long legs that is much easier for his unique mouth to hold.
A Shadow In The House
The bond between Wilbur and Sarah has grown incredibly strong. He knows exactly who saved him, and he never wants her to be out of his sight.
Sarah knows without a doubt that she is his person. Even if she is in another room, he will always come in to check on her.
He wants to make sure that she is okay, acting as her loyal protector. Often, she will look up to find him just staring at her from across the room.
She jokes that he looks at her as if asking, “What is she doing?” It’s a silent but constant display of his devotion.
An Unexpected Greeting
While Wilbur is a gentle giant to Sarah, his appearance can catch strangers off guard. He is an interestingly put-together dog, and people don’t always know what to expect.
Recently, Sarah’s daughter had a friend come over to visit. The daughter cheerfully announced, “Oh, we got a new puppy.”
The friend was expecting a tiny, fluffy little dog to come running out. Instead, out came Wilbur with his big chest and his signature bunny hop.
The friend admitted she was a little scared at first because he was so big. With his tooth sticking out and his wonky lips, he certainly didn’t look like a typical puppy.
Simply Beautiful
Sarah understands why people might be surprised when they first meet him. If you don’t see his whole body, you just see a very big head and chest.
When you see the rest of him, including the curvature of his spine, it tells a story. As Sarah notes, you realize this dog has been through a lot in his life.
He is definitely a different kind of dog, but to Sarah, none of his physical quirks matter. She looks past the wonky walk, the missing tail, and the cleft lip.
To his new family, he is simply beautiful exactly the way he is. He isn’t broken; as Sarah perfectly puts it, “He’s just Wilbur.”
