Washington Volunteer Notices What Snoopy Does Whenever His Kennel Door Closes Again
After spending nearly two years waiting for a family, a senior Washington dog with special needs finds gentle ways to comfort himself while holding out hope for a forever home.
A Special Senior With A Heavy Diagnosis
Snoopy’s journey at the Benton-Franklin Humane Society in Kennewick, Washington, began when he was surrendered to the shelter.
About a year ago, the aging dog was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, a condition that has taken a toll on his body.
The illness has caused problems with both his vision and his hearing, leaving the sweet senior almost completely deaf.
Despite the physical setbacks, Snoopy has maintained a gentle and loving demeanor with the humans who care for him.
Finding Comfort In The Little Things
Shelter life can be incredibly stressful, but Snoopy has developed a heartwarming coping mechanism to help him get through the long days.
Whenever he has a blanket or a stuffed animal inside his kennel, he gently sucks on them.
Julie, a graphic designer from the Tri-Cities who has volunteered at the shelter for the last two years, noticed this endearing habit.
“I think it makes him feel better,” she explained, often catching herself talking to him before remembering, “Oh, what am I doing? He can’t hear me.”
A Volunteer’s Growing Attachment
Over the past month, Julie has spent more one-on-one time getting to know the senior dog.
That dedicated time was all it took for her to become deeply invested in his well-being.
“I started getting to know him in the last month, so that’s when I started getting super attached to him,” she shared.
While Snoopy is wonderful and affectionate with people, the shelter staff learned that he prefers to be the only pet, as he does not get along with other dogs.
The Simple Joys Of A Sunny Day
Unlike energetic younger pups, Snoopy is not a high-demand dog who requires miles of daily exercise.
He finds his happiness in the quiet, peaceful moments outside of his kennel walls.
“When you let him out of his kennel, he’s just like, ‘This is the best day ever, and I love that you took me outside,'” Julie noted.
He doesn’t need a three-mile hike; he simply wants someone to sit in the backyard with him while he lays out in the warm sun.
An Outpouring Of Community Love
Snoopy’s sweet nature hasn’t gone unnoticed by the local community, who have stepped up to make his extended stay more comfortable.
He has received amazing donations from supporters, including tons of soft toys to keep him company.
One particularly observant and kind-hearted person noticed that Snoopy only had a standard blanket in his kennel.
They called the shelter and purchased a high-quality orthopedic bed just for him, giving his aging joints a soft place to rest.
A Special Bond Behind The Scenes
While Julie has grown incredibly fond of Snoopy, the senior dog has formed a particularly strong bond with a shelter worker named Sydney.
For Sydney, this gentle, nearly deaf senior is her absolute favorite dog in the entire facility.
Their connection is so special that Sydney even keeps a photo of Snoopy hanging up inside her work locker.
It’s clear that while he waits for a family, he has already found a place in the hearts of his caretakers.
The Hidden Cost Of Aging
Despite his diagnosis, the shelter’s veterinarian believes Snoopy has a really good prognosis as long as he stays on his medication.
They are hopeful that he still has a few golden years left to enjoy in a comfortable home.
However, the reality of his medical needs has been a significant barrier to his adoption.
Treating Cushing’s disease is expensive, requiring regular vet visits and several different types of daily medications.
Heartbreak And Hope For A Real Home
The combination of his senior age, special needs, and medication costs can be intimidating for potential adopters who fear they may only have him for a short time.
Snoopy did get a brief break from the shelter in a foster home, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out, sending him back to his kennel.
In his 653 days waiting, he has only had one meet-and-greet. Another was scheduled recently, but tragically, the people never showed up.
Julie wishes she could take him, but her own two dogs make it impossible. Still, she holds out hope, knowing she will be “so incredibly excited when he finally gets to go home.”
