Abandoned Dog Excited To Meet Her Family In A Shelter, But They’re There To Adopt Another Dog Instead

#1 Meet Zuzu

This is Zuzu, a 2-year-old German Shepherd who had to experience what it's like to be abandoned by her owners. Zuzu had been living with a family that also kept her father but after his death, she became depressed and unhappy and began misbehaving.

#2 Taken To Animal Shelter

She stopped obeying commands and seemed "unhappy". One time she jumped over the fence and went into her neighbor's yard. They weren't pleased about this uninvited guest and her owners called animal control which took Zuzu to the Downey Animal Care Center in California on Thanksgiving Day.

#3 She Was Depressed And Miserable

Zuzu arrived at the animal shelter in Los Angeles the way most dogs did: miserable. And she stayed that way for days, inconsolable despite the best efforts of staff and volunteers at the shelter. She just moped around and kept to herself in a corner.

#4 Her Stay At The Shelter Was Hard

"She is a friendly girl but I sensed sadness and confusion," Desi Lara, a volunteer at the shelter told The Dodo. "Most dogs zoom around the yard. She tread softly, nervous to look around." She rarely ate or drank enough water to survive.

#5 Then Her Family Comes To The Shelter

But Zuzu snapped out of her hunger strike and depression when her family came to the shelter to visit her last week. Worker Desi Laura asked them if they were there to claim their dog and they told her no. But Zuzu could not contain herself and was excited to have her family finally come and get her out of there.

#6 Zuzu Thinks She Is Finally Going Home

The family was peeking through at other dogs but Zuzu was jumping wildly in front of them. They reached through the fence and petted her a few times but then ignored her. The German Sheppard mix was confused as her family walked around petting other dogs.

#7 They Were There To Replace Zuzu

Trainor Janae Chapin could see that Zuzu instantly recognized her owners but then saw that she was reacting strangely as they went on to seek out other dogs in the kennel. That's when they informed her that they were looking for another dog to replace Zuzu. They said that Zuzu had become a terror when their other dog passed away and she was depressed over it.

#8 Social Media Was Outraged

When another shelter volunteer posted the video on Facebook, there was instant outcry from dog lovers. The shelter became inundated with requests to adopt Zuzu. The FB post reads "She wasn't happy enough for them anymore and their solution was to simply replace her."

#9 Thousands Of Concerned Animal Lovers Had Their Say

Social media was on fire over the family's selfish behavior, and it was later discovered that the other dog that passed away was Zuzu's birth father. Because of this, a rescue organization will come to get Zuzu and find her an "exceptional" family. She will be leaving the shelter shortly and, hopefully, ends up in a home that appreciates this dog's kindness and understands that the depression after her father had passed away was a natural phase she had to go through.

#10 She Was named After The Child In It's A Wonderful Life

Zuzu was named after the little girl in the Chrismas movie, "It's A Wonderful Life". She has had a rough go of things so far and her emotions are on edge, and the rescue organization plans to place her in therapy before rehoming the beautiful dog.

#11 Rescue Workers Hope To Place her With A Loving Family

Hopefully, Zuzu can eventually have a 'Wonderful life' of her own.

The shelter refused to allow the family in question to adopt a new pet, stating that they were not suitable animal owners.