Five months ago, Paw Squad 559, a small but dedicated rescue based in Clovis, California, received a call from an overcrowded shelter about a little dog named Darby. The shelter was struggling to find him a home, and with space quickly running out, they hoped Paw Squad 559 could help. When the rescue team met Darby for the first time, they were surprised. At just 2 years old and weighing only 5 pounds, Darby seemed like the kind of dog who would be adopted instantly. But something was holding people back — and the team soon found out what.
Darby had an uncommon medical condition. X-rays revealed that his kneecaps, which are supposed to move freely, were fused in place. This gave Darby a slightly unusual gait and appearance, though it didn’t stop him from moving — or living life — with joy. Unfortunately, not everyone sees past appearances. To many potential adopters, Darby didn’t fit the mold of the “perfect pet.” Because of this, he was constantly overlooked.
“He’s had literally no interest whatsoever,” said Helga Weiss, the president of Paw Squad 559 and Darby’s foster mom. And the disinterest hasn’t just been passive. At adoption events, Weiss has seen people actively push Darby aside to pet other dogs. Some even point and ask, “What’s wrong with that dog?” Those moments sting, not just for Weiss but for Darby too.
Beneath the surface, Darby is full of charm and heart. He’s loyal, affectionate, and bursting with playful energy. He zips around doing joyful “zoomies,” playing with other dogs like any carefree pup. His favorite things in the world? Snuggling in a purse and playing with his beloved stuffed octopus. “He literally does little spins and asks to be carried in my purse,” Weiss said with a smile.
But all the rejections are starting to wear on him. Darby, once eager to greet people, now hesitates. At adoption events, he hangs back, less trusting, as if he’s beginning to believe he isn’t worthy of love. It’s heartbreaking for Weiss to watch. All he needs is a home without stairs or a pool — minor accommodations for a pup with so much potential.
Darby doesn’t know that he’s different. He only knows that people don’t choose him. But someone, somewhere, will see the dog behind the diagnosis — the one who just wants to be held, loved, and given a chance.
For the person willing to open their heart, Darby isn’t just a pet. He’s a tiny best friend waiting to give you his whole world. All it takes is one “yes” to change his life forever.