‘I suspect my neighbor has abandoned his dog’: Resident saves the life of hallway hound left outside by next-door neighbor, gets the puppy to safety and adopted into a loving home

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Aug 26, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

There should be a test you have to pass to become a pet pawrent. We have no idea what that would realistically entail, but maybe some sort of psychological evaluation, some official explaining the difficulties you'll experience as a pawrent, and providing you with resources to help you on your journey to being a good owner. That way, we could avoid situations like the ones below, where a puppy was seemingly abandoned just outside his owner's door. He just let him out into the hallway, closed the door, and never paid him a second thought. As a pet pawrent ourselves, we honestly can't think of anything sadder than always being within reach of your doggo, but not giving them the love they so desperately want.

But wait! Don't start crying yet (okay, you can cry a little bit… we did). There is some sort of cosmic balance in the universe because for every person willing to abandon their pupper, there is one who is willing to save them. A wholesome resident saved this hallway hound by posting about him online, and even found someone to adopt him! Who knows what would have happened to this puppy if they hadn't shown up, but luckily, we'll never have to figure that out.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10546171904
    via anklepick4u
  • 02
    Found a dog in my apartment building's hallway. He's super friendly and is waiting outside a particular door. I knock on the door to ask if he's missing his dog. He claims it's not his but the dog gets super excited whenever he sees him and only
    via anklepick4u
  • 03
    sits outside his door. I've posted the dog to next door on the off chance he belongs to someone else but I have a feeling he belongs to my neighbor. I can't bring him inside my unit because I have cats and an old dog. Not sure what I can or should do at this point. Don't have a car as my husband took it with him and he's out of town for work for the week.
    via anklepick4u
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10546172672
    via anklepick4u
  • 05
    Unlikely-Low-8132 Los Angeles See if there is an animal rescue in your area - and see if they can come and get him- and give him some water. People are just a h les.
    via Unlikely-Low-8132

  • Some people truly don't deserve dogs. Puppies are hard. If you didn't know that before getting one, the fault is 100% yours. You can't blame a puppy for being a puppy, that's just who they are, and it's our job as pawrents to teach them the rules of our world. It's like blaming a baby for crying. They can't help it, they're just a baby!

  • 06
    citznfish That's heart breaking. Do any of your other neighbors recognize the dog and the owner?
    via citznfish
  • 07
    Eric-Stratton Would avoid animal control if you can. Definitely run him by a shelter or vet to scan for a chip when you're able to.
    via Eric-Stratton
  • 08
    Worst comes to worst if you can't take him or know anyone who will, reach out to local rescues (not shelters). If you need help finding some rescues I can help as I'm sure others on here can too.
    via Eric-Stratton
  • 09
    Lastly - if you're off tomorrow, I'd sit with him in the hallway early and catch other folks as they're leaving for work. Ask anyone you see if they recognize the dog or if they know someone in the building
    via Eric-Stratton
  • 10
    who might own the dog. If it's really your neighbors dog I'm guessing someone else will have seen them together. If this happens, obviously don't give the dog back to the neighbor, but see if you can find him a good home before reporting the neighbor to the police for abandonment.
    via Eric-Stratton

  • What we love most about this post is that so many people are coming forward to help not only this resident, but also the doggo. People who have probably never met in real life, but will make time in their busy days to find a solution. There is good in the world. 

  • 11
    Anakin5kywalker Poor dog!! Can you take him in just overnight then go to a shelter tomorrow? They can scan for a chip and see who the owner is (if there is one).
    via Anakin5kywalker
  • 12
    If not, they'll take him in and make sure he's safe until they finds a good home. What part of L.A. are you in? I'd be happy to come help out.
    via Anakin5kywalker
  • 13
    Forestempress26 Highland Park If you can get the guy to admit it's his and he doesn't want it, I'll come get it.
    via Forestempress26
  • 14
    declanallen You don't have to cry, I've got that covered.
    via declanallen
  • 15
    anklepick4u UPDATE: A lovely person from Reddit has taken him in. Thank you to everyone who has commented and offered help!
    via anklepick4u
  • 16
    Barknuckle That's...so weird? Like the person just locked their dog directly outside their apartment to hang around and crop in the hall and be there hungry...forever? And in the off chance it wasn't them, a random dog somehow got into the apartment and is just hanging out outside one person's apartment and they seem unbothered?
    via Barknuckle
  • 17
    Have you talked to other people in your hallway or the landlord? Does your neighbor have a relative or something who left it there and he wants them to pick it up? I guess for the dog the humane society is probably the best option but so weird.
    via Barknuckle
  • 18
    SadLilBun Do you have a friend or family that can take him? Shelters are overcrowded. Can you take him inside and keep him in your bathroom with some food and water?
    via SadLilBun
  • 19
    randing DM me tomorrow if you can't figure something out. Would rather him not go to a shelter.
    via randing
  • 20
    kalily53 I think taking him to a shelter so they can check for a microchip is your best bet. I have a car and can help out if you're not too far. He's so cute!
    via kalily53
  • 21
    Alarming Situation_5 He got some big cute paws but also doesn't look fully grown. What a bizarre situation. If he goes unclaimed, I can do a post in my Buy Nothing neighborhood group to see if anyone can fosters. Local shelters are overrun.
    via Alarming_Situation_5
  • 22
    thatfirstsipoftheday pet that dawg
    via thatfirstsipoftheday
  • 23
    vatoslocoswey Man, that Dog could be your best friend. Give em some food and water, let em outside, walk em if you can. Try not to take em to shelter. Animals remember who saved and fed them and love that person forever btw. Lol what nice lookin dog too.
    via vatoslocoswey
  • 24
    d thdeniesme • 6d ago That's messed up it's probably his. I would take him in and post on Nextdoor and try and get a rescue to help
    via d**thdeniesme
  • 25
    rowdrigo Take him with you. He deserves better.
    via rowdrigo
  • 26
    Iluvembig You now own a dog
    via Iluvembig
  • 27
    Redlovelace Well this broke my heart. I wish there was something I could do but I can't take him in either.
    via Redlovelace
  • 28
    joel2000ad Looks like a sweet pup! Whoever took him/her score!! Thank you!!! You both scored!!
    via joel2000ad

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aww wholesome dogs adorable hallway adoption heartwarming puppy kindhearted animal rescue cute animals cute doggo animals Dog Rescue rescue
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