Shelter Dog With The Saddest Eyes Turns Into The Happiest Pup When Someone Visits

Thousands of dogs spend months and even years in shelters. Despite not having behavioral or health issues, many get passed over for other dogs for one reason or another. The shelter dogs who take the longest to adopt tend to have certain qualities in common: they're big, or they have dark fur. It's a sad reality that shelter employees face every day, but a lady in Florida helped change it for a 3-year-old dog named Croqueta. GeoBeats Animals shared her story on YouTube in September 2025.

At the time of the video, Croqueta had spent three months in the Miami-Dade Animal Shelter, which can accommodate more than 700 dogs. Many shelters, including Miami-Dade, allow the community to walk or play with their adoptable pets at or away from the shelter. A woman took advantage of this opportunity and chose Croqueta, a silent, well-behaved dog with sad, longing eyes. Located in the very back row, in the very last room of the shelter, many potential adopters likely never made it that far down to even notice her.

Even with the distraction of dozens of barking, jumping, overactive dogs, the quiet one got the woman's attention. "I had to take her out and meet her," she said. They played together in the yard of the shelter, where Croqueta proved just how good a girl she is with kisses and belly rub requests. Sadly, she didn't receive a single adoption application before the woman's visit, but shortly after the video launched, a viewer contacted the shelter and shared an update in the comments: Croqueta has been adopted!

GeoBeats' heartwarming video likely set the stage for Croqueta's adoption, as it gave her a nationwide audience. To date, it's racked up more than 535,000 views. You may not be affiliated with an animal organization or even have a YouTube channel, but there are still ways to help pet shelters empty their kennels and give overlooked dogs like Croqueta more visibility. All you need is time and a camera.

First, visit a shelter that offers a Doggy Day Out program. These typically allow visitors to play with, walk, or take a dog out for a few hours. Some also permit overnight stays for a "pawjama party." Ask to meet the dog with the longest stay or one that might land on the urgent list soon — or is already on it — if it's a kill shelter. Whichever you choose, document the experience; take lots of photos and video recordings so you can share them on social media later.

Don't have social media? No problem! Email your footage to a friend who does and is willing to help, or use the photos to make printable flyers that can be distributed and posted in the community. You can also contact your local news station or submit your photos and video clips to The Dodo, a digital publisher focused on telling animals' stories. With your help, more dogs can live out the rest of their lives in the comfort of a home with loving owners, not in the confines of a shelter. Care to read more stories like these? Watch this shelter dog's eyes light up when he realizes he's leaving his kennel for a walk.