In the U.S., surrendering a pet to a shelter isn’t as simple as dropping it off; it requires paperwork and a reason for giving up the animal. Sadly, many people claim their dog is “uncontrollably aggressive,” hoping that it will sound more acceptable to animal advocates than the real reasons like “I can’t afford it” or “I’m bored of it.”
Enter Quarter, the dog who had been labeled as a “snarling beast,” and whose reputation preceded him. The shelter staff was skeptical, but the rules had to be followed. Often, a dog’s biting behavior isn’t its fault—it can be due to temperament or lack of proper training, both of which can be addressed with the right care. But before anything could happen, Quarter had to undergo a mandatory quarantine.
That meant weeks in solitary confinement, separated from people and other dogs. After the quarantine, Quarter was taken to the vet for a check-up, and it was time to start preparing him for adoption. But what was his condition after all that isolation?
It turns out that Quarter wasn’t even his real name—his official name was Teddy. When an experienced staff member took him home for observation, it quickly became clear: Teddy wasn’t aggressive at all. In fact, he was just a scared, shy dog desperate for affection. He wasn’t snarling—he was longing for a loving family.
And so, Teddy’s story took a happy turn as he was adopted by a new family and moved to a new state. For the shelter staff, it was yet another reminder of the excuses people make when impulsively adopting and then abandoning animals. But for Teddy, it was the start of a new, brighter life.
