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A German Shepherd who was abandoned at an animal shelter by his family because they were having a baby became a nervous wreck and cowered inside his kennel before being given a new lease on life.
Rocco, 3, was left at the Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center in Texas after his owners discovered they would be having a baby.
While visiting the shelter, a woman noticed Rocco who was underweight, hunched over and looking frightened inside his kennel.
The woman decided to take a short video of the timid dog and share it in hope of finding Rocco a new family as quickly as possible.
Luckily, Preethi Pillaipakkam stumbled upon the video and took an interest in Rocco.
Pillaipakkam fosters dogs through DFW German Shepherd Rescue, a volunteer rescue organization that takes in stranded German Shepherds across Texas.
At first, Pillaipakkam was shocked Rocco was given up because of a new baby.
'But once I saw how underfed he was, it did not surprise me. It is probably a combination of change in family situation, plus not [being] the best owners in the first place,' she told The Dodo.
Pillaipakkam told The Dodo that Rocco should weigh around 85 or 90 pounds, but only weighed in at 60.
Pillaipakkam said, 'The shelter is certainly not the environment for a dog like Rocco. He was very timid and scared to get into the car. He even hid beneath the seat in the car. He was pacing a bit and seemed very stressed.'
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The Center for Shelter Dogs says dogs become stressed in shelters because of the sudden change in environment.
Dog's typically will become separated from their families, be confined within kennels and will experience more noise due to being so close to many other dogs.
During his first days in his new home, Rocco was nervous and walked around his new surroundings in a confused daze.
With the help of Pillaipakkam and her other German Shepherd, Katja, Rocco began to perk up by the first weekend.
'He slowly started exploring the house,' Pillaipakkam said. 'He loves the couches and his doggy beds, and he really likes squeaky toys and tennis balls. He is a really good fetcher.'
Rocco became more outgoing with each passing day and has even taking to following his 'mom' around.
'He was a bit aloof in the beginning,' Pillaipakkam explained, 'but now he follows me around like a shadow.'
Since the viral video, Rocco has received dozens of adoption applications and his Instagram page has garnered over 6,000 followers.
Large dogs, like German Shepherds, are put into animal shelters more often and Pillaipakkam wants Rocco's story to inspire people to adopt big dogs
'The top reasons for large dogs to be given away typically include a change in the family situation, so this could be a move, a kid, a marriage, a divorce or any such factors," she said.
German Shep also face breed discrimination and it is becoming increasingly hard to find safe homes for them.
Dog left at animal shelter because his family is having a baby
A 3-year-old German Shepard in Dallas, Texas was abandoned at an animal shelter because his family was having a new baby
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