Flapjack was terrified when he first arrived at the shelter. The constant noise and strange smells were too much for him to handle. He pressed himself flat against the cold concrete floor of his kennel, hiding his head beneath a cot while his body trembled in fear.
That’s when the shelter contacted Hounds in Pounds, a foster-based rescue organization that helps dogs in need with medical treatment and behavioral support.
“Flapjack was completely shut down,” said Cat Suzuki, founder and president of Hounds in Pounds. “There was no way he’d be adopted in that condition — so of course, we stepped in.”
The pup had originally been found wandering as a stray and was taken to Chapin Veterinary Hospital in South Carolina, one of the rescue’s partner clinics.
Dr. Parnell, the veterinarian who first examined him, described Flapjack as “timid and deeply depressed.”
“He stayed crouched down,” she said. “He wouldn’t make eye contact or even lift his head.”
Dr. Parnell, who specializes in helping fearful pets feel safe during treatment, began by addressing his flea and tick problems. Once his skin healed, she worked patiently on his socialization — introducing him slowly to new people, dogs, and surroundings. After about two weeks of observing other dogs play, Flapjack finally decided to join them.
Soon, he was happily running around the clinic — a moment captured in a joyful video shared by Hounds in Pounds.
“He opened up pretty quickly,” Dr. Parnell said. “He’s a completely different dog now.”
Once his confidence returned, Flapjack’s true personality began to shine — playful, energetic, and full of life. He loves hiking, running, and playing with both people and dogs.
Suzuki was overjoyed, though not surprised, by his transformation.
“Shelter dogs amaze me every time,” she said. “They’re so resilient. Watching them heal and become their true selves is one of the most rewarding parts of rescue work.”
Now medically cleared, Flapjack has moved into a foster home — a perfect match for his active spirit.
“He needed space to run, and now he has it,” said Dr. Parnell. He’s living with a lively family that owns two Labrador retrievers, and they spend their days playing together in a large, fenced yard.
“Hopefully, it’ll become permanent,” Dr. Parnell added with a smile.
Like Flapjack, many shelter dogs hide their true nature behind fear and stress.
“Just give them a chance,” she said. “Most people don’t realize how amazing they can be once they feel safe.”