When This Pup's Parent Passed Away, He Became Very Depressed... Until He Met This Man

Rio the ten-year-old golden retriever mix had his entire life crash down around him when his parent passed away suddenly. In an instant, the pup had gone from having a comfortable, loving home to being completely alone in a kennel at the Detroit municipal shelter.

Rio quickly slipped into a state of deep depression. He spent his days staring at the wall, refusing to eat, and recoiling at the slightest human touch. Shelter staff began to worry that he would starve himself to death and called upon Detroit Dog Rescue in hopes that they would help. The DDR had been taking on cases of pups with mental health conditions for years.

Detroit Dog Rescue

DDR staff quickly realized that Rio’s only shot at survival was by removing him from the shelter environment and giving him a family home. So they set him up to enter foster care, and volunteers from the Callahan family happily took him in.

Detroit Dog Rescue

Within days, a change happened in Rio. No longer hanging his head in shame, he began to hang out with his new foster Dad, who worked from home and made sure Rio had a special spot in his office. Rio has slowly opened up and begun eating and sleeping peacefully, and he even excitedly goes for walks with his new foster parents.

Detroit Dog Rescue

Rio finally feels like he belongs again, and he will remain in foster care for as long as he needs to before he feels alright to begin the search for a new forever home. He’s set to live out his golden years in peace and happiness, and no one would have it any other way!

Ryan Callahan

Feature Image Source: Detroit Dog Rescue