Twenty-five-pound, eight-month-old Spudnic is just beginning to sleep soundly, without springing up, hyper-vigilant, looking for his tormenter. The Cairn-terrier-mix pup lived in a house with four other dogs. One of the dogs made Spudnic his squeaky toy. He’d attack the puppy with no warning, for no reason. It was a game for the bully. It was agony for Spudnic.

Now, because their owner lost his home, all the dogs are in the shelter. Spudnic may be the least sad about that change. He’s finally able to ask people for affection. He finally doesn’t need to stay at the back of the pack, hoping to be touched.

Spudnic longs for a safe place and a person whom he can consider his own. He’ll always be grateful.