Heartbreak for Shelter Dog Who Was Only One at Event Not To Be Adopted

There was heartbreak for a shelter dog attending an adoption event in Iowa who had to watch on as all the other dogs there found forever homes. The plight of Leonard was brought to the attention of dog lovers on TikTok after Elaine Buhs, a volunteer with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, shared footage of the sad pup staring mournfully at the empty crates around him that had once contained his fellow shelter dogs. Four dogs had attended the event that day but Leonard was the only one still remaining. Writing alongside the video, posted under the handle dog_momdsm, Buhs explained: "Leonard is a sweet boy. He got loaded in a van by 8am to find his forever home. Many people petted and played with him but no family. Please help Leonard." KC Routos, director of development & communications, was at a loss to explain why such a "sweet boy" like Leonard had been unable to find a home that day.

"We're not sure why Leonard was overlooked," she said. "He is a big fan of belly rubs, toys, car rides and going on walks. He also knows a few tricks and LOVES to be around people. He will even nuzzle your hand if you stop petting him." Writing on TikTok, Buhs added further details about Leonard who is an Australian Cattle Dog. "Leonard was surrendered because his owners didn't have enough time with him," she wrote. "He's 2.5 years old and very well mannered and sweet." The sad truth is that most shelter pets have an incredibly small window of time in which to make an impression on a prospective owner. One study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science in 2014, which looked at interactions between shelter pets and potential adoptees, found that people tended to interact with just one dog during their visits and that these interactions lasted an average of around eight minutes. Adoption events like these offer shelter pets an opportunity to shine. In many ways this particular event was a major success for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, with three out of four dogs finding a home. Leonard may have ended up returning to his shelter in Des Moines that night, but Buhs' video set something in motion. It went viral, amassing 242,000 views and a glut of comments from people rooting for Leonard. "This breaks my heart. You're worthy of love too buddy. Hang on the right one will come!" one user wrote, with another commenting: "Leonard your family is out there!" Many of those commenting on the clip wanted to adopt Leonard and a significant development followed: he found a forever home. In a follow-up video, Buhs confirmed the news and paid tribute to those who helped make his story go viral. "Thanks everyone for all the love and support," she said. Leonard's new owner opted to adopt another dog, called Suki, from the same shelter, so together they are set for a new life in a happy home. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.