Shelter won't allow black dog with zero interest to keep his favorite toy, so foster mom gets it mailed to him at his new rescue: ‘I hope it follows him wherever life takes him!’

Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor

Jul 15, 2026 6:45 AM EDT

Why don't shelter dogs get to keep toys?

There are many reasons why shelter dogs are kept in a bare kennel. You'd think these beloved lonely pups would get tons of toy donations, but the truth is, that's kind of dangerous. Many dogs love to completely rip up these plush toys, and they either end up choking on them or actually swallowing them and then needing svrgery to have the pieces removed. So shelters tend to pass on giving their pups any sort of fun plushie toy.

This can be heartbreaking, though. Sometimes, kind dog lovers can only foster for a short amount of time, like a weekend or just a few weeks. When they have these pups in their care, they want to give them the best time ever, so they'll give them toys. The dogs get attached to these toys, but then, when they have to go back to the shelter, they can't keep them.

One kind dog lover left the shelter in tears recently. She fostered a dog for the 4th of July weekend to give them a peaceful place to wait out the fireworks. They had the best time ever and totally fell in love! She bought this sweet pup, named Potter, a big frog plushie. The dog was obsessed with this plushie, but when she had to bring the pup back to the shelter, they didn't let him keep it due to choking hazards.

She was already heartbroken leaving the pup there, but then having to take away his favorite toy completely tore her apart. She posted a video about the pup, and it went viral! Potter was picked up by a rescue and is now available at Wishbone Dog Rescue in LA! And guess what? She sent Potter his favorite toy, and they were reunited!

We're overjoyed for Potter and his favorite toy. Now, somebody go and adopt the sweet baby boy!

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"This is Potter"

est Valley Animal She I never imagined dropping Potter back off at the shelter would hurt so much

"He’s been in the shelter system for a year. I brought him home for the 4th of July weekend so he could spend the fireworks in a home instead of a kennel. Tonight he’ll sleep on my bed. Tomorrow, he’ll be back on a concrete floor.

I’ll share more about Potter and post another video dedicated to him tomorrow, but I just wanted to introduce you guys to this sweet boy. I’ve only had him for a few hours and I genuinely can’t wrap my head around how he’s been waiting this long. He is absolutely perfect. He’s gentle, loving, and so deserving of the happy ending he’s been waiting for.

My heart is already breaking knowing I have to take him back tomorrow."
-hicarsondogs

Shelter Dog Gets Reunited with his Favorite Toy

“UPDATE: Potter was rescued!

I’ve fostered a lot of dogs over the years, but nothing has compared to the bond I felt with Potter in just 48 hours. I first met Potter back in February when I visited the East Valley Animal Shelter. We barely spent any time together, and I didn’t know much about him, but for some reason, he never left my mind. I couldn’t explain it then, but now I know why.

Fast forward to July, and he’s still waiting, now at the West Valley Animal Shelter in Chatsworth, CA. August marks one year in the shelter system. One year of his life was just wasted away in a cage. This weekend I got the chance to bring him home so he wouldn’t have to spend the Fourth of July in a kennel. My hope was to show everyone who he really is and finally help him find the family he’s been waiting so long for. If my life looked different, if I had the time, space, and ability to bring home a third dog, I would have kept Potter in a heartbeat. I’m so excited for the person who gets to call him theirs because they are getting one of the best dogs I’ve ever met. And I’ve met A LOT of dogs.

Potter attached himself to me almost immediately, just like I attached myself to him. Wherever I went, he followed. If I went to the bathroom, he waited outside the door. If I showered, he lay outside until I came back. He just wanted to be close to me.
He did great with my dog. He may have a bit of a prey drive, so I’d recommend slow, thoughtful introductions if you have small dogs, but he’s a playgroup regular at the shelter and has done well with larger dogs.

He’s wonderful with people, great with kids, and while he can get a little mouthy when he’s excited, a simple “no” is enough for him to stop. He’s eager to please and incredibly easy to live with. Potter has been in foster homes before, and I truly can’t understand why he’s always been returned. He’s one of the most low-maintenance, easygoing dogs I’ve ever brought home. Honestly, I think he’d even be an amazing first dog for someone. Beyond basic obedience,

Potter is truly the complete package. Taking him back to the shelter shattered me. It genuinely felt like I was betraying him. Last night he slept on a bed beside me, and today he’s back on a concrete floor. Please consider coming to meet Potter. He can’t wait here another year."
-hicarsondogs

"Potter got his frog today, and I hope it follows him wherever life takes him.
Potter is available for adoption through Wishbone Rescue!!!"
-hicarsondogs

WATCH:

via hicarsondogss

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