'He's incredibly sweet and gentle': Wholesome neighbor impulsively adopts neighbor's Great Dane hours before move out, saving the poor pupper from life in an animal shelter

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Aug 15, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

We have one fatal weakness as a hooman - we can't resist animals in need. This is why, as much as we want to, we can't volunteer at animal shelters. If we did, we would take them all home. Now, if we were millionaires and had 100 acres of land to spare, we actually would adopt all of the animals. But, we haven't yet won the lottery or married the rich husband of our dreams, so this pawfect utopia will have to wait. 

However, if one were presented to us like in the story below, we wouldn't hesitate for a second. An animal lover visited their neighbor's yard sale before they moved out, and found out that they had a Great Dane they couldn't take with them to their new home. If he couldn't find someone to take the poor pupper, he was going to bring him to an animal shelter. Now, we may not be able to take any more animals from the shelter, but we certainly can stop them from getting there in the first place.

So, they adopted the little (big) guy, and they're helping them adjust to their new home. Don't you just love a happy ending?

GET YOUR WEEKLY HIT OF WHISKERED PURRFECTION - SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Advertisement
  • 01
    This is kind of an impulsive situation, and I already have 2 cats but I've just taken in my neighbor's dog because they moved out today. I didn't even know they had a dog, never heard him bark, never saw him outside. He's a Great Dane, and I've never owned a dog before... let alone one this big.
    via ebonygoesdigital
  • 02
    He's incredibly sweet and gentle, and I'd really like to keep him, but I have no idea where to start. I called Banfield Pet Hospital to see if I could bring him in, but they said I'd need his papers. My neighbor is already gone, and they didn't leave me anything.
    via ebonygoesdigital
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10541887488
    via ebonygoesdigital

  • We know that Great Danes can be kind of lazy dogs, but we've never heard of someone not knowing their presence for nearly five years. Even if they are your neighbor's dog, you surely still hear the tap-tap-tappy of their nails on the floor, or the occasional bark from playtime every once in a while. We fear that this pupper was not living his best life until now. But luckily, all of that is behind us!

  • 04
    Right now, he's sleeping in my patio room on an old bed I put out for him. I just want to make sure I'm doing the right things for him from here.
    via ebonygoesdigital
  • 05
    Tealover2704 12h ago Go to a vet and explain your situation to them. They should be able to help. Vaccinations might need to be a priority. I also feel like he is too skinny, as his ribs are very visible and his hip bones are protruding. Just do not feed him too much; let him gain weight naturally and do not try to speed it up.
    via Tealover2704
  • 06
    pibonds 12h ago It doesn't look like he was well taken care of. You can take him to the vet and they will most likely assume that he doesn't have any vaccinations and give him everything he needs to be up to date with those. Take your time and let him decompress. He's in a new environment and will need time adjusting too.
    via pibonds
  • 07
    Powerful_Put5667 • 12h ago Tell them your neighbors abandoned him because face it they did just that. He needs a check up. Do you know how old he is?
    via Powerful_Put5667
  • 08
    Reasonable_Minute_42 12h ago Make an appointment for the vet and just say he was abandoned and needs a health check. They may recommend starting over with vaccines, etc since there's no record and that's okay. Idk
    via Reasonable_Minute_42
  • 09
    how old he is, but if he's older than 6 or 7 he's considered a senior dog, so you'll want to pick up a senior dog food as it'll have stuff in it for his joints. He also looks quite underweight (hip bones way too prominent), so it should be okay to feed him extra until he's filled out more.
    via Reasonable_Minute_42
  • 10
    Other than that, just give him a nice quiet place to chill and get used to living in his new home! If you do want to upgrade his dog bed, try to get an orthopedic one. You're doing a great thing taking care of him.
    via Reasonable_Minute_42
  • 11
    Great Dane
    via RalfWeigel

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 12
    Emotional_Ad_1403 • 12h ago He's so beautiful and looks at peace! He looks too skinny, though. May want to put a little weight on him
    via Emotional_Ad_1403
  • 13
    Sarprize_Sarprize ⚫ 12h ago Don't take him to Banfield. They're literally the bottom of the barrel veterinary clinic. Find a local vet on yelp with at least four star reviews. They won't turn you away.
    via Sarprize_Sarprize
  • 14
    ebonygoesdigital OP. 11h ago Thank you to everyone who's commented. I probably should've gone into a bit more detail: his name is Trooper and he's at least 5 years old. My neighbor was
    via ebonygoesdigital
  • 15
    having a yard sale, and I stopped by. As we were talking, he casually mentioned that he had a dog he couldn't take with him to his new apartment, and that 6 other people had already turned him down. He told me that if he couldn't convince someone to take him, he'd have to send him to a shelter.
    via ebonygoesdigital

  • We get it - big dogs are a lot. But, Great Danes are big dogs with a small dog mentality. All they want to do is lie on you and nap on the couch after about five minutes of playtime. They're so big that they don't have a ton of energy, but you do need to learn how to control them because it's not fun being pulled around by a 150 lb. doggo.

  • 16
    So, I asked to meet him and was a little surprised at how comfortable he was meeting me, but he was super chill. I can't imagine him ending up in a shelter where, because of his size, he might not get adopted. So I just told him I'd take him rather impulsively.
    via ebonygoesdigital
  • 17
    They did say he's always been a pretty laid-back dog. I don't want to outright say he was abandoned, but it was basically just him at home, and he worked a lot. He feeds him twice a day, morning and night, and tries to get him an hour long walk every day.
    via ebonygoesdigital
  • 18
    Anyway, I've got him an appointment for this Friday, I did kind of lie and say he was abandoned so they'd think he was a stray.
    via ebonygoesdigital
  • 19
    As for the papers, maybe I misunderstood her, but she did say it would be more difficult to get him in without proof of ownership or vaccination records. But, I don't think my neighbor is done with the move, so next time I see him I'll ask for that.
    via ebonygoesdigital
  • 20
    Two Great Danes
    via gsagi

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 21
    Mindless_Divide3250 12h ago . can you do updates on this baby? id love to see his journey!
    via Mindless_Divide3250
  • 22
    Heavy-Attorney-9054 12h ago That's half a great Dane. The other half will probably show up within about three months.
    via Heavy-Attorney-9054
  • 23
    Piperbabybowman • 12h ago Poor guy!!! I'm glad he isn't with the old owners anymore, they didn't feed the poor dog
    via Piperbabybowman
  • 24
    Aware-Experience-277 12h ago . Hi, I have a Dane! Like others have said, he needs to be eating a LOT more (but not right away). If he's younger and still growing it's also recommended to feed them food with a certain amount of protein, so that would be something to discuss with the vet. If he's not full grown he will grow RAPIDLY so buckle up!
    via Aware-Experience-277
  • 25
    You also want to look out for signs of Bloat as Danes are really vulnerable to it. Your vet can explain more about what to look out for but it's a good idea to not let him play too hard after eating and get him to the vet FAST if he starts acting like he's restless or in pain or has a swollen belly.
    via Aware-Experience-277
  • 26
    They are really wonderful dogs but I highly, highly recommend a lot of training as an out of control BIG dog is a lot to deal with. He will also be glued to your side 24/7... They are frequently called "Velcro Danes." Thanks for helping him out and enjoy
    via Aware-Experience-277
  • 27
    Skittle146 • 12h ago You can go to a tractor supply (mobile PetVet) to get vaccinations. They don't need papers. If they ask questions, tell them you have adopted a neglected/abandoned dog. You should be just fine. I went there when I got an unwanted dog from a family member. The dog had no papers and I got everything done, starting from scratch
    via Skittle146
  • 28
    Emotional_Ad_1403 · 12h ago I would figure out what boundaries you would like to have with your pet and research the best way to implement them. Obviously, it's going to be trial and error, and both of you need patience. If you open up
    via Emotional_Ad_1403
  • 29
    your heart, the love of a dog is one of the greatest gifts you can experience. I have two senior dogs, two small children, and 3 kittens. My dogs are my anchors. I also received my female in a very impulsive situation, and boy, am I glad I
    via Emotional_Ad_1403
  • 30
    did. It will take some time for both of you to adjust, and you'll start to see his personality shine more over time. It's very strange to me that he's such a big dog, and you didn't even know he was living there. Makes me question what his quailty of life was like. Whatever led him to you, or you to him, it can be the greatest friendship!
    via Emotional_Ad_1403
  • 31
    Odd_Hat6001 • 11h ago They are good boys. Relative to their size they don't need much exercise. Five years old is almost a senior for a giant. Talk to your vet about food. Very important the get at least one hour of quiet time after eating. Bloat, stomach flipping is dangerous. Make eye contact, show affection, speak softly and you will do great. Good luck.
    via Odd_Hat6001

Check out our Instagram for more hilarious animal content!

Love our stuff? Shop for some of our pawsome merch here.

Tags

aww wholesome dogs neighbors adorable adoption heartwarming pupper kindhearted animal rescue cute animals cute doggo sweet great dane animal shelter animals rescue
Scroll Down For The Next Article