Puppy Whose Heartbreaking Photo Went Viral Adopted Just 24 Hours Later

A puppy on ‘death row’ at a shelter went viral after the rescue center shared a photo of his downcast face and thanks to the power of social media, 24 hours later the pooch had found his forever home.

One-year-old terrier mix Bobby was dumped at Miami-Dade Animal Services in December. Volunteers shared this photo of Bobby, still wearing his Christmas jumper in the hope that he’d find a new family.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBiZxKbr8W5/

The photo, along with the video, showed just how heartbreaking life in a shelter can be for a dog and struck a chord with social media users, quickly going viral.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBnBjHlr8aI/?taken-by=urgentdogsofmiami

Following media attention, the dog that had been days from death was suddenly swamped with visitors desperate to save the sad puppy in a Christmas jumper.

But Paola Mariaca came out on top and, after quietly filing the adoption documents, was able to take Bobby away from the shelter and to his new forever home.

“I was lucky. I came at the right time,” she told CBS.

Paola added that Bobby will have plenty of puppy playmates in his new home: “He’s going to have a schnauzer sister and two English bulldogs as sisters, so he’s going to be the boy of the house.”

But Paola wished all the shelter dogs could receive the outpouring of love that Bobby received, “I think every dog should get that much attention, then we wouldn’t have them here.”

So we thought dogs like Cash could use some attention.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBoXkLDL8c8/?taken-by=urgentdogsofmiami

And the brilliantly named Mr. Big.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBnq_rnr8dL/?taken-by=urgentdogsofmiami

And lovely Max, who is on ‘code red’ and just wants some new playmates.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBoa5wgr8Rc/?taken-by=urgentdogsofmiami

You can see more of the dogs still waiting for new families at the Miami-Dade Animal Services Instagram, or head to their website.