Gentle but ‘Scared’ Shelter Dog Puts on a Brave Face & Gets Adopted

When a shelter dog gets adopted, it might just be the most joyous thing in the world — and an adorable video from @yoloanimalshelter on Instagram encapsulates that feeling of joy. The video’s on-screen caption explains, “POV: Putting on a brave face at the shelter even though you’re scared and don’t know if anyone will ever adopt you,” and then pleads, “Adopt our brave boy Cardinal.” In the video, the dog puts on his best brave face as he walks on a leash.

Shelter dog is scared but puts on a brave face and finally gets adopted

The video uses the repeating “don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry…” audio that fans will recognize from a popular Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson quote from the hit movie “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” and it fits the mood of the post perfectly. Cardinal looks like he’s trying hard to hold it together. In one moment, he walks calmly on a leash, staying close to a handler’s legs — and in another, he sits inside a kennel area, looking up with wide eyes as if he wants to trust what is happening.

This kind of shutdown can often happen in shelters, where constant noise and new smells can overwhelm even a friendly dog.

The shelter’s caption says, “Brave boy Cardinal is so nervous and worried in the shelter environment,” adding that he “needs out so that he can properly decompress and blossom.” Staff also described him as “easy to handle for our beginner volunteers,” noting his traits. 

In the comments, viewers rallied. One person asked, “Did he get adopted??” while another wrote, “He seems like the sweetest boy. I pray someone chooses him!” Volunteers and supporters pushed to get him noticed, with one comment reading, “Let’s get Cardinal seen and saved!” Then came the celebratory update many waited for — the shelter added it in big, celebratory letters, “A D O P T E D.”

After weeks of strangers worrying over his face in the video, the shelter dog finally got adopted — and he is now out of the shelter and into his forever home.

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