“Of the over 60 dogs being evacuated from the shelter, [Henry] was the only one not barking.”
In January, as historic wildfires tore through Los Angeles, chaos unfolded across the city. People and animals scrambled to evacuate, including a local animal shelter that was given just 30 minutes to clear out all 60 of their dogs.
Amid the barking, rushing, and panic, shelter staff worked frantically to load the dogs into vehicles and get them to safety. But in all the noise and confusion, one dog remained calm — and was accidentally left behind.
Henry, a senior pup who is completely deaf, had slept peacefully through the commotion.
“Of the over 60 dogs being evacuated from the shelter, [Henry] was the only one not barking,” animal fundraising platform CUDDLY shared. “Unable to hear the chaos, he was sitting calmly in the back of his kennel.”
Because of his quiet demeanor, Henry was tragically overlooked. While dozens of other dogs were whisked away to safety, Henry remained behind, completely unaware that the shelter had emptied.
Once staff realized their mistake, panic set in. They immediately reached out to local rescues for help. That’s when Starts With One Today, a rescue group, stepped in.
Their team arrived the next morning to find Henry no longer asleep, but barking in confusion — scared, alone, and still inside the smoky shelter.
Henry was rushed to a vet and treated for smoke inhalation. Thankfully, after some rest, medical care, and a lot of love, he began to recover quickly.
Soon after, a couple named Dillon and Olivia heard Henry’s story — and knew they had to help. They signed up to foster him, but it wasn’t long before they realized Henry wasn’t going anywhere.
“It was no shock that his foster parents immediately fell head-over-heels in love with him,” CUDDLY wrote. Henry became what’s lovingly known as a “foster fail” — a pup who finds their forever home right where they were being temporarily cared for.
Now, six months later, the wildfire is a distant memory. Henry’s days are filled with long walks, cozy naps, and lounging around his dad’s shop like a beloved mascot.
He may be deaf, but Henry’s quiet strength — and his journey from overlooked to adored — speaks volumes.