In the United States, surrendering a pet to a shelter isn’t as simple as dropping it off and walking away. The process requires paperwork, including a legitimate reason for giving up the animal. More often than not, when it comes to dogs, the stated reason tends to be something like “uncontrollably aggressive.” After all, writing down “I can’t afford it” or “I’m bored with the pet” wouldn’t exactly win over the sympathy of animal advocates.

Yes, that’s him—Quarter, the so-called snarling beast with a reputation that preceded him. Shelter staff were skeptical, but rules are rules. A dog’s tendency to bite isn’t necessarily its fault; training and temperament play significant roles. Both can be addressed with proper care, but first, Quarter had to undergo a mandatory quarantine. Such is the protocol for “aggressive” dogs.

Quarantine meant weeks of solitary confinement in a cage, isolated from humans and other dogs. The shelter bore no responsibility should anything happen during this period—strict rules govern the handling of animals labeled as dangerous. After three weeks, Quarter was finally brought to the vet for a check-up, signaling the next step: preparing him for adoption. But how had the little pup coped during his time in isolation?

Turns out, Quarter wasn’t even his real name. It was just a nickname, referencing his quarter-mix heritage. Officially, he was registered as Teddy and sent home with an experienced staff member for observation. That’s when the truth came out: Teddy wasn’t aggressive at all. In fact, he was the picture of timidity and longing. If anything, the little guy was simply terrified and desperate for a loving family.

And just like that, Teddy found a loving family and moved to a new state. For the shelter staff, this was yet another reminder of the unfortunate reality: there are no limits to the excuses people come up with when they impulsively adopt an animal and later decide to abandon it. But for Teddy, it marked the beginning of a brighter, happier chapter.