Some pups apologize for existing. Usually those are pups who deserve apologies from the human species for what they’ve endured. Buckwheat, a wheat-colored, seven-month-old, sweet, southern gentleman, is like that. Evidence indicates that the Mountain Cur mix has lived his entire life in a cage, a cage that was disgusting because Buckwheat was never taken out.

Yet, Buckwheat seems to believe that his treatment was his fault. His drooping body seems to say that he’s sorry that he bothered his owners for food. The pup seems sorry, too, that he can’t help hesitantly wagging his tail, asking for a little affection.

Finally, after months of agony, Buckwheat is well-fed, clean and handsome. Still, the pup hasn’t begun to catch up on the love he’s missed.