A Sweet Pup
We all know Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are sweet dogs, patient with children, filled with energy and playful. With that in mind, the couple adopted this sweet Golden Retriever.
They had no idea that this good boy was a bit weird. Over the first days, they realized something was off, and as weeks passed the weird behavior became annoying. When the couple learns why their dog had been acting like that, they realize how scared this pup had been…
Looking For a New Friend
Most families, whether they have a children or not, opt to adopt a dog or a cat. When the couple in our story went to adopt a dog from the shelter, they laid eyes on this beautiful dog.
They adopted him and decided to call him Jack. The couple had no clue about Jack’s story before he got to the shelter, but the pooch seemed sweet and happy enough to fit into his new home.
Jack Was Perfect
The pooch was a perfect fit into his new family. He gave them kisses and fetched the ball, he played around in the yard and cuddled with his new parents on the sofa. Jack was comfortable in the new home.
However, as night came, his owners were confused about their pet. At first, they thought Jack needed to adjust, but as weeks passed, his behavior was driving his owners crazy!
Night Came
As night came, the owners realized Jack wasn’t like most pets. They have never heard of this kind of behavior from dogs. You see, Jack’s trait was one of a kind…
The first night, instead of sleeping, Jack just stood by his owners’ bedroom and tried his best not to fall asleep. It was as if he was watching them. What was going on?
It’s Just A Phase
Thinking it was just a phase and making sure Jack wouldn’t hop into their bed at night, the owners decided to place a childproof door. They weren’t ready to sleep with a dog they had just adopted…
It was going to take time for Jack to trust his new humans and the other way around. So this is why the owners thought a childproof door would work - Jack could just get bored and go to sleep in his own bed. Still, Jack stood there the whole night, staring at them!
A Silent Watcher
Jack was being silent while watching his owners at night. He wasn’t begging, whining or anything. The dog was patiently waiting for the night to be over…
Aside from his strange night behavior, Jack was a sweet and energy-filled Golden Retriever. But as the third night came, the owners knew something had to be done about Jack’s sleepless nights.
He Could Get Sick
While Jack’s strange behavior at night was unsettling, the owners also thought Jack would get sick if he kept staying awake every night. They had to find a way to make him stop.
When they learned why Jack acted like that, the finally found a way to cure his strange habit. Then, his owners hugged and cuddled Jack for hours, knowing what the poor pup had been through before they had adopted him!
Placing Hidden Cameras
After the first three sleepless nights, the couple decided to place some hidden cameras inside and outside the bedroom to see if something caused Jack to stay by their door and watch them for the whole night.
The owners hoped they would solve the mystery and get some rest, but their plan failed. The only things the cameras showed was Jack standing at the childproof door, watching them. At one moment, he fell asleep, but he woke up to look at his owners…
A New Approach
The next morning, the owners decided to get a new approach. Since they didn’t know what was wrong with him, they thought Jack could snap out of this behavior if they just closed the bedroom door.
That night, the owners closed the door to the bedroom, leaving Jack on the other side of the door. In the morning, there he was, standing still and watching the door! Then, the owners tried one more solution…
The Dog Bed
Was the dog bed uncomfortable? The owners changed it and then decided to change the food and treats as well. They also took Jack outside for a longer while.
Maybe he needed more playtime or he needed another bed? That night, Jack was still stuck to the bedroom door, even with a lot of exercise during the day and before nighttime.
Going to The Vet
The owners were desperate after nearly a week of sleepless nights, worrying about their dog and their own health. They even took Jack to the vet to see if he was sick.
The vet was stunned to learn this peculiar case and began testing Jack for various ailments. But as results came, Jack was found to be in good health, even with those recent sleepless nights. Then, the owners realize there was one more thing they didn’t try!
Going Back to The Shelter
The couple realized they could learn more about Jack’s behavior from the place they adopted him. So they went to the shelter to talk to the staff and learn Jack’s story before he was adopted.
The owners didn’t know their hearts would be broken when they learn why their pooch was acting so weird every night…
Jack Wasn’t Acting Strange at All
Jack’s previous family had abandoned him only a couple of weeks before the couple adopted him. The family before them were expecting a baby and decided Jack didn’t fit in their plans.
Their heartless decision affected Jack more than they had imagined. It is how they abandoned him that had scarred Jack for so much time and led to that strange behavior. What happened?
They Began Crying
When the couple learned about Jack’s story, they couldn’t stop crying. You see, the previous owners fed Jack before nighttime and probably gave him something to sleep while they took him to the pound.
The next day, Jack woke up in an unfamiliar place, with no sight of his owners. While the family thought this would save them all, including Jack, from heartbreak, it actually was a very bad idea.
Jack Was Afraid
As Jack wasn’t able to say goodbye to his family, he was yearning for them. Inside his cage, where strangers and dogs barked around him, Jack wasn’t the same.
Then, this couple came to get him home and he was very happy. But as night came, he guarded his new owners so that he won’t lose them ever again! That’s why Jack didn’t fall asleep at night. He feared he may wake up at the shelter…
Learning The Story and Finding a Solution
Now that the new owners realized that Jack had been traumatized by the previous owners who had abandoned him, they had to think of a different approach. This time, they knew what to do!
The couple needed to make Jack feel safe and confident that he will still be there in the morning, so they moved his bed inside their bedroom, close to their bed. What did the dog do?
He Was Reluctant at First
First, Jack only sat in his bed, staring at his owners during the nights, but as nights passed and the pooch was still in the same place with his owners, he grew more comfortable.
One night, he fell asleep. Waking up in his owners’ bedroom in the morning gave Jack the confidence he needed and he finally let go of his weird behavior.
Sharing His Story
As soon as things went back to normal, the couple started sharing Jack’s story and explained to the world what abandoning your pet can do to them emotionally speaking.
The consequences of giving up a pet that has loved you even for a few months are huge, and the couple knew it very well…
Calming Jack
Jack’s story got viral and touched everyone’s hearts. It has risen awareness on the issue of abandonment and now we all know dogs can become anxious if separated by their owners.
On social media, many people reached out to say that indeed, dogs can feel complex emotions. They shared similar stories. Jack now sleeps during the night!
Share your Room
All Jack needed from the beginning was to share the room with his owners and make sure this time he won’t be left behind at the shelter.
Jack needed a few weeks to get used to the fact that he was a forever pooch! Now both he and his owners can sleep soundly at night.