California Family Drives Six Hours For A Mysterious Black Dog Whose Photo Shows Only His Pink Tongue
After surviving a terrible backyard breeding situation, a rare and gentle Husky mix finds the perfect family to help him heal. In return, he offers an incredible level of emotional support.
A Photo That Stood Out
Lindsay was facing a difficult season in her life. Dealing with significant health issues meant that having another child was going to be incredibly hard.
However, her daughter deeply wanted a sibling to grow up with. To bring new joy into their California home, the family made a life-changing decision: they were going to adopt a dog.
Lindsay began her search for the perfect addition to their family. That was when she came across an adoption ad that completely blew her away.
The picture featured a dark, mysterious dog. From a distance, the only thing you could clearly see was his bright pink tongue hanging out.
Surviving The Shadows
The dog, named Hati after a Norse wolf that chases the moon, had a heartbreaking past. He had been rescued from a terrible backyard breeder situation.
Tragically, Hati and five of his siblings had been kept locked away in a closet. A kindhearted woman had initially rescued him from those dark conditions and taken him home.
While his first rescuer saved his life, she soon realized she couldn’t give Hati the dedicated attention he truly needed.
She wanted him to find a forever home where he could thrive, which led to the ad that caught Lindsay’s eye.
The Long Drive Home
When Lindsay learned about Hati’s story, she knew she had to step in. It took the family about six hours to drive to where the dog was located.
Every single minute of that long drive was filled with emotion for Lindsay. The anticipation built as they got closer to the pup who had survived so much.
When they finally arrived and Lindsay laid eyes on him, all her hopes were confirmed.
“Upon seeing him, it was like, that’s my boy,” she recalled.
A Striking And Rare Look
Hati is a stunning and very rare mix of breeds. He is 53% Husky, 34% German Shepherd, and the rest is Malamute.
Typically, a Husky and German Shepherd mix doesn’t result in a solid black coat, making his appearance incredibly unique.
He also has heterochromia, meaning he has two different colored eyes. His striking blue eye is caused by a lack of melanin, though he sees perfectly fine out of it.
Lindsay affectionately describes him as “one big fluffy black land cloud with two funny looking eyes.”
The Gentle “Wolf”
Because of his dark coat and bright eyes, people are often fascinated by Hati. Kids in the neighborhood frequently call him a wolf.
Despite his wild appearance and weighing in at 70 pounds, Hati has no idea that he is a large dog.
He carries himself with a quiet, cautious demeanor. Underneath his wolf-like exterior, Hati is incredibly sensitive and gentle in ways you would never expect.
An Unlikely Fish Friendship
One of the most amazing things to watch is Hati’s special bond with the family’s koi fish.
He will approach the water and gently pet and caress the swimming fish.
He never tries to hurt them, treating them with the utmost care. He just doesn’t quite understand why they don’t play back with him.
Treasured Toys
Hati’s gentle nature extends to his toys as well. He has stuffed animals all over the house and yard that he absolutely babies.
Instead of tearing them apart, he licks them, cuddles with them, and carefully carries them around.
When he feels they need a safe space, he will even gently bury his beloved stuffies in the yard.
Learning To Be Loved
Because he likely didn’t get much attention in his early days in the closet, Hati is still adjusting to life as a beloved family member.
He is very awkward when receiving affection from his humans.
While he clearly likes the attention and love, he just doesn’t always know how to handle it.
An Unofficial Support System
Over time, Hati has become Lindsay’s unofficial service dog. He seems to have a sixth sense for her emotions.
Lindsay admits she isn’t very expressive when she’s having a hard time, tending to keep to herself.
Yet, no matter how well she hides it, Hati always seems to know when she needs him most.
Breaking The Rules For Love
The family has a strict rule, agreed upon with Lindsay’s husband, that Hati is allowed on the couch, but never on the bed.
One day, Lindsay was having a particularly hard time and was crying alone on her bed.
Knowing she was hurting, Hati completely ignored his training. He jumped straight onto the bed and laid on top of her to provide comfort.
He knew he wasn’t supposed to be there, but in that beautiful moment, comforting his mom was the only thing that mattered.
