Dog's reaction to people walking past without adopting him is heartbreaking

Social media users have been left 'weeping' over a video showing a shelter dog's reaction to being 'overlooked'.

If you've been storing up a good, old cry and don't have time to sit around and hope you drop and smash a mug or stub your toe to help unleash all your pent up frustration, sadness and despair, then this video is just what you need.

Be warned if you're currently on the train or bus, home from work or walking in public because you definitely will not have dry eyes when you finish watching.

Prepare to grab yourself a box of tissues:

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 3.1 million dogs enter US animal shelters nationwide every year.

Tragically, it's website continues: "Each year, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanised (390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats)."

However, it reassures the number of animals being euthanised in shelters has 'declined' as a result of many more animals being adopted and finding happy homes.

But one dog, Elias, is still waiting for their forever home.

Reddit/ u/Stickysmithers

A user who goes by the name 'Stickysmithers' uploaded a video of Elias to Reddit yesterday (Tuesday, 5 September).

Elias can be sitting in his enclosure, sat watching as people walk past - only their legs visible. And the poor dog looks utterly defeated, lowering his head to the side as no one turns to look at him.

The post reads: "This is the life of an overlooked shelter dog. Many ppl pass kennels, taking a glance and moving onto the next. Unnoticed, forgotten.

"Adopt to save his life Elias #A764195, Male Husky, six yrs Rancho Cucamonga Animal Care Center 11780 Arrow Route Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 909-466-7387 Opn Weds-Sat 2-5p."

With Adele's 'Love In The Dark' playing over the top of the original post, the video is almost too much for anyone's heart to bear.

Reddit/ u/Stickysmithers

And people have flooded to the video heartbroken over the footage.

One user said: "How sad to see this from their perspective. Damn, that really hit me. 'Choose me, choose me, I’ll be a good boy!'"

"Visibility for Elias!" another added.

A third commented: "Damn, now I’m weeping! We don’t deserve dogs and dogs don’t deserve this!"

Someone else wrote: "It just makes me think about rescuing our sweet husky from a shelter! They deserve so much love."

And a final resolved: "My heart just breaks for all these dogs. It's so hard to see. Please someone help this little man."

If you see an animal in distress and/or in need of help, contact the RSPCA's 24-hour animal cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 or visit their website for further advice. In the US, call SPCA on 212-244-SPCA (7722) Monday – Friday 9am-5pm EST or call 9111 if a crime is in progress.

Topics: Dog, Animals, Reddit, Social media, Mental Health

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.