35 Dogs Were Allowed To Pick Their Own Christmas Gifts At Animal Shelter, And Here’s What Happened
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It’s that time of the year when all people try to be good and kind, put others first, give special attention to their family and friends, and celebrate love, joy and peace. After all, Christmas is all about giving and sharing to thank others for the wonderful time spent together this year. But while we try to be good for our relatives and friends, we shouldn’t forget those who really need our attention.
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Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
Therefore, Dogs Trust Ireland’s Rehoming Center staff in Dublin made sure that the homeless dogs were not forgotten. The staff together with a bunch of supporters donated an array of gifts to give a little miracle to those who were once abandoned. What’s really special is that instead of the staff choosing the toy for each dog, they let the dogs pick their own Christmas gift. Dogs Trust Ireland even documented the joy of a number of excited dogs being led into a room full of toys where they got to choose their Christmas gift. “We recorded 35 dogs picking a toy and then spent (many) hours editing it to show the best reactions. One or two just wanted pets and snuggles more than a toy. The dogs were let in one by one, so we didn’t have to worry about any of them wanting the same toy” – explained Dogs Trust Ireland to Bored Panda.
Happy
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
Esme
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
“In 2017, we decided to do Secret Santa Paws for the dogs, where staff members bought a long-term dog a present specifically for them, and we recorded it and got a great reaction. In 2018, we wanted to do something different, so again the staff donated toys, but we thought the dogs might like to pick their own. So we lined them up, and it was the best day… the dogs were SO happy and watching them was just amazing. So we did it again this year, and combined supporter donations from under our tree in the reception with staff toy donations” – said Dogs Trust Ireland. As seen in the video posted by them, the staff carefully arranged all the toys on the floor and then one by one let the dogs go into the room. The dogs were super excited to get to choose their gifts out of many options. While some dogs immediately picked their Christmas gift, others took some time to inspect each one to find the perfect fit.
Puppies
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
Dogs Trust Ireland is the largest dog welfare charity in Ireland, and have been active since 2005. They focus on rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs of all shapes, sizes, colors and breeds to loving homes. As they write on their Facebook page, they are “working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.” They promise that they will “never destroy a healthy dog.”
Kenneth
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
Max
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
“As you will see, deciding on which toy was a big decision for some dogs and some delighted in the squeakiest toy they could find,” Dogs Trust Ireland wrote on their Facebook page. We should admit that just by seeing the joy of these lovely dogs we can certainly feel the Christmas spirit floating in the air!
Tiny
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
Buddy
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
“We put a pause on adoptions over Christmas every year, so the dogs in the video are still with us, but we hope to find them their Forever Homes in the new year! We have had other shelters lining up toys and letting the dogs pick them. and they have tagged us in their posts, which is amazing! Sniffing the toys and picking one out requires concentration for the dogs, and really brings out their different personalities. It’s just fantastic for us to see them being so happy over something so simple, and we really, really hope this will help them all get adopted in 2020!”
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
Sidney
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
Porkie
Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
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Image credits: DogsTrustIreland
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MY crippled Greyhound rescue did not know what a toy was or what to do with it.The high-light of the month was when we went to the pet shop to order his kibble.A great display counter filled with goodies and he was allowed to pick out what he wanted.lots of sniffing,a few furtive licks and then zoomed in on the dried pigs ear.He would always carry it home in his mouth,drooling a lot.Once settled in his bed he would savour it,taking a long while to eat it....My little boy was special...I miss him so much..
It's heartbreaking - you gave him a great life and you'll always have those wonderful memories. I feel for you as I've lost much loved pets. Hurts so much, but it is worth it.
That is such a rescue greyhound thing. Most rescue greyhounds are really well fed and cared for, but they don't get the typical dog experience that is for sure. My parents and their friends have rescued and fostered many, many. Some learn over time how to play with toys, and some don't. I guess we have to keep in mind too that not all dogs like to play with toys anyway... I've had 2 (non-greyhounds) that weren't even remotely interested in toys! Treats on the other hand... I've never seen a dog turn down a yummy treat! Thanks for being part of the recuse greyhound community!
Hi Jette. That is so sad to hear what that poor pup had been through. Thank you for taking on such a tough situation and showing him some much needed love. You are truly a wonderful person!
Thank you for commenting on my post,but maybe where you come from things are different.Churchill was Spanish and had been shot(had more than 65 buck-shots embedded in his body),one of his thighs had been stabbed and muscle severed so his leg could not bend.He had a bad fracture of one front paw ad was partially blind because a cat-scan revealed his scull was smashed in and only muscle held it to-gether.Obviously several attempts had been made to get rid of him.He survived by joining a pack but was eventually caught in a net because he was too weak to flee.I was informed and decided right away to keep him.He was such a surviver.I had him for 1,5 years,then his pains became too much and my vet came to my home and put him to sleep. I have currently 2 other rescues (galgos)one is elderly and they have both had very difficult pasts IMG_201611...316865.jpg
We're on our second greyhound. Our first greyhound learned to play a little bit with toys, but she mostly just liked to squeak the one noisiest one to let my husband know she was displeased with the service around here, human! Our new greyhound is just a total clown, and she can -- and, alas, does -- make a toy out of *anything.* She plays with dog toys, but she's just as happy to play with my slippers, or a bracelet she found on the table, or a catalog that came in the mail...you name it, she plays with it! Every dog is different. But this idea of letting the shelter dogs pick their own toys is so brilliant, I want to find out how many dogs are in our local shelter and take enough toys in for all of them to be able to each pick one out now!
Thank you for adopting someone who really needed you. Try to be patient with yourself, grief is a bit the same and a bit different for everyone. You are strong as well as kind and will adapt to this hole in the world where he was. Be brave and when you can adopt someone else.
Rescue dogs are so amazing. I've had my girl for ten years and she's so wonderful, especially with our son who has autism. We are going back to the same dog's home in two weeks to find a new baby. A Fetchy Von Stickenball to go with our Barky McWoofwoof.
Aww I hope all these fur babies find loving homes soon!
Our dog training class does this every year, it's so much fun to watch them sniff out what they want to play with/eat!!
How do they know they can only have one toy?
Good question but I guess they can't fit more than one at a time in their mouth anyway so maybe it works simply because of this...?
Max couldn't make up his mind. And the puppies were like: Can we have them all?
MY crippled Greyhound rescue did not know what a toy was or what to do with it.The high-light of the month was when we went to the pet shop to order his kibble.A great display counter filled with goodies and he was allowed to pick out what he wanted.lots of sniffing,a few furtive licks and then zoomed in on the dried pigs ear.He would always carry it home in his mouth,drooling a lot.Once settled in his bed he would savour it,taking a long while to eat it....My little boy was special...I miss him so much..
It's heartbreaking - you gave him a great life and you'll always have those wonderful memories. I feel for you as I've lost much loved pets. Hurts so much, but it is worth it.
That is such a rescue greyhound thing. Most rescue greyhounds are really well fed and cared for, but they don't get the typical dog experience that is for sure. My parents and their friends have rescued and fostered many, many. Some learn over time how to play with toys, and some don't. I guess we have to keep in mind too that not all dogs like to play with toys anyway... I've had 2 (non-greyhounds) that weren't even remotely interested in toys! Treats on the other hand... I've never seen a dog turn down a yummy treat! Thanks for being part of the recuse greyhound community!
Hi Jette. That is so sad to hear what that poor pup had been through. Thank you for taking on such a tough situation and showing him some much needed love. You are truly a wonderful person!
Thank you for commenting on my post,but maybe where you come from things are different.Churchill was Spanish and had been shot(had more than 65 buck-shots embedded in his body),one of his thighs had been stabbed and muscle severed so his leg could not bend.He had a bad fracture of one front paw ad was partially blind because a cat-scan revealed his scull was smashed in and only muscle held it to-gether.Obviously several attempts had been made to get rid of him.He survived by joining a pack but was eventually caught in a net because he was too weak to flee.I was informed and decided right away to keep him.He was such a surviver.I had him for 1,5 years,then his pains became too much and my vet came to my home and put him to sleep. I have currently 2 other rescues (galgos)one is elderly and they have both had very difficult pasts IMG_201611...316865.jpg
We're on our second greyhound. Our first greyhound learned to play a little bit with toys, but she mostly just liked to squeak the one noisiest one to let my husband know she was displeased with the service around here, human! Our new greyhound is just a total clown, and she can -- and, alas, does -- make a toy out of *anything.* She plays with dog toys, but she's just as happy to play with my slippers, or a bracelet she found on the table, or a catalog that came in the mail...you name it, she plays with it! Every dog is different. But this idea of letting the shelter dogs pick their own toys is so brilliant, I want to find out how many dogs are in our local shelter and take enough toys in for all of them to be able to each pick one out now!
Thank you for adopting someone who really needed you. Try to be patient with yourself, grief is a bit the same and a bit different for everyone. You are strong as well as kind and will adapt to this hole in the world where he was. Be brave and when you can adopt someone else.
Rescue dogs are so amazing. I've had my girl for ten years and she's so wonderful, especially with our son who has autism. We are going back to the same dog's home in two weeks to find a new baby. A Fetchy Von Stickenball to go with our Barky McWoofwoof.
Aww I hope all these fur babies find loving homes soon!
Our dog training class does this every year, it's so much fun to watch them sniff out what they want to play with/eat!!
How do they know they can only have one toy?
Good question but I guess they can't fit more than one at a time in their mouth anyway so maybe it works simply because of this...?
Max couldn't make up his mind. And the puppies were like: Can we have them all?