He doesn’t know he’s different.
Meet Darby: The Little Dog With a Big Heart Waiting for His Big Break
Five months ago, Paw Squad 559 received a call from an overcrowded shelter in need of help. One dog — a tiny 5-pound pup named Darby — was being overlooked again and again, and the shelter feared he’d never find a home.
When the Clovis, California–based rescue team met Darby, they were puzzled. At just 2 years old, with his small size and lively energy, Darby should have been adopted instantly. But medical exams revealed why he wasn’t getting attention.
“X-rays showed that where a normal dog’s kneecaps move, his are fused,” explained Helga Weiss, president of Paw Squad 559 and Darby’s foster mom.
Because of his unique legs, Darby walks a little differently. And sadly, that small difference has led people to ignore — or outright reject — him.
“He’s had literally no interest whatsoever,” Weiss said. “People come to adoption events and point at him asking, ‘What’s wrong with that dog?’ At one event, they even pushed him aside to pet another dog.”
Despite the heartbreak, Darby continues to show love. He’s a joyful, affectionate pup who adores playtime and the company of other dogs. “He does zoomies a million miles an hour,” Weiss said. “He loves everyone — even when they don’t love him back.”
But the constant rejection is starting to wear on him. “You can tell that at adoption events, he doesn’t approach people as much anymore,” Weiss said. “He’s starting to give up.”
Darby doesn’t require much — just a home without stairs or a pool. In return, he’ll give you all the love in the world. His favorite things? Playing with his stuffed octopus and being carried around in Weiss’s purse. “He does little spins to ask to be picked up,” she said with a smile.
If you’re looking for a loyal, one-of-a-kind companion who wants nothing more than to love and be loved, Darby is waiting. He just needs one person to look past what makes him different and see what makes him special.
Be the person who says yes to Darby. It could change his life — and yours — forever.