Dogs deserve a wonderful life, no matter what. But some don’t share the same sentiment. A dog named Duke made headlines after his owners returned him to the shelter, claiming he was “too boring.” However, his story has taken a heartwarming turn, as this easygoing dog has finally found a place where he truly fits in. On August 7, the Animal Foundation in Las Vegas shared a post about Duke, a 4-year-old black Labrador who had recently been brought back to the shelter. His previous owners said Duke was “boring, sleeps all day, and doesn’t get up to greet them when they come home.”
“Duke is looking for a new home because his frequent napping and lack of excitement didn’t suit his last family,” the Animal Foundation explained. While it’s unfortunate that Duke ended up with a family that wasn’t right for him, the shelter was confident that there was someone out there who would appreciate Duke’s calm and relaxed nature.
“If anyone’s ever told you, ‘you must be the life of the party,’ Duke might be your perfect match,” they wrote.
Many people online quickly rallied behind Duke, with comments supporting his mellow demeanor. “Duke is my spirit animal,” one person wrote on Instagram. Another added, “I’m sure lots of people are looking for exactly those qualities.” Others expressed their confidence that Duke would soon find a loving family to take him in.
It wasn’t long before Duke’s luck changed. The Animal Foundation happily announced that Duke had moved into a “loving foster home.” His new foster parent, 69-year-old retiree Sue Marshall, was drawn to Duke because he reminded her of her late pet, Storm, who was also a laid-back black Labrador.
“Storm was relaxed and easygoing in his later years,” Sue told the Washington Post. “It seemed like Duke would be just like him.”
Sue initially planned to foster Duke temporarily, but they quickly formed a strong bond, and she realized he was the perfect companion. “I love his personality,” she said. “He’s such a sweet, easygoing boy.” Sue described Duke as more “relaxed” than “boring” and noted that while he might be a bit lazy, he also hadn’t been properly trained to walk on a leash.
Everyone at The Animal Foundation was delighted that Duke had found his ideal match. Although his previous situation didn’t work out, they hold no judgment against his former family, recognizing that not every dog is right for every household.
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“Shelters have dogs with all sorts of personalities,” said Kelsey Pizzi, the shelter’s communication director, in an interview with the Washington Post. “It’s important to remember that there’s a perfect dog out there for everyone.”
Duke has now been adopted, proving that no dog is “too boring” for a loving home. We’re thrilled that Duke has found a new family where he can enjoy being his laid-back self!
Toledo, United States.
