This Shelter Dog’s Behavior Almost Cost Him His Life, Until a TikTok Changed His Fate Forever
Kingston was surrendered to Cobb County Animal Services in Marietta, Georgia, by the only family he knew and loved. From the moment he arrived at the shelter, Kingston struggled to cope with the constant confinement and overwhelmingly noisy environment. He’d spent most of his time jumping and spinning endlessly in his kennel out of stress, but sadly, most potential adopters assumed he was unruly and “difficult” to handle.
Kingston found himself repeatedly overlooked because people misjudged his behavior in the kennel. Nobody cared to know his real personality outside the kennel, and as time went by, the persistent zero interest landed him on the shelter’s euthanasia list. (Watch Video Below)
@sharing.lov3 Replying to @christiecolwell 🎉✨ KINGSTON’S FREEDOM RIDE ✨🎉 A few days ago, I shared Kingston’s video showing how stressed he was inside his kennel, and then who he truly is outside of it. Nobody had ever asked to meet him, because they would only see him in his kennel. They didn’t know what an amazing boy he was once outside… But that video reached Christie @christiecolwell all the way in Memphis, Tennessee. She didn’t hesitate. She told me she just knew he was supposed to be with them. The very next day, her husband Michael drove six hours one way to the shelter. She even told me he came in his Corvette because he wanted “ Sir Kingston” to ride out in style. They already have two rescue dogs and four rescue cats. A full rescue family. 🥹 Michael spent the night with Kingston at a hotel. He gave him a bath, Kingston had zoomies on the bed, and then he slept through the night. And the next morning, they drove back to Tennessee, where Kingston met his whole family. He bonded instantly with his dog brother and sister. With his mom, Christie. He met the cats. And somehow, he fit in so perfectly it looks like he has been there all along. Christie also told me that after meeting Kingston, everything about him reminds her of her beloved dog Snickers, who passed away from cancer at 15 years old. Even the little things he does. And honestly… I truly believe it might be him finding his way back to her. 🥹😭❤️ After seeing all the videos they’ve sent me of Kingston running in open fields, playing, smiling, and finally being free, I understood something. He wasn’t being overlooked. He wasn’t being forgotten. He was waiting. Every single day was leading him to them. He was waiting for his family all along. Thank you to every single person who shared Kingston’s video and helped his story reach the people who were meant to see it. And thank you, Michael and Christie, for driving 12 hours to adopt a dog you had never met, and for giving Kingston the life he always deserved. FREEDOM LOOKS GOOD ON YOU, KINGSTON 💛 I can’t wait to see this next chapter of your life! I will always love you sweet boy. From your volunteer friend, Bruna 💙 • • #sha#sharingloveg#dogs#rescuee#shelterdog ♬ Paradise – 𝙇𝙭𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙯 🎧
A Real Sweetheart, But Misunderstood
What hurt most about Kingston’s situation was that he was a completely different dog outside his kennel. And that’s the saddest thing about kennel stress; it’s never a reflection of a dog’s real personality.
Whenever staff or volunteers took Kingston outside to help him catch a break, the endless spinning and jumping would instantly disappear. Kingston would turn into this calm, cheerful, and affectionate dog who’d show off his good manners and sweet side without holding anything back. His transformation away from the kennel bars was often too immediate to ignore.
Everything changed when shelter volunteer @sharing.lov3 shared a recent TikTok video of Kingston being fully himself outside after a stressful time in his kennel. To her surprise, this clip caught the attention of a family in Memphis, Tennessee. This was the first time someone had noticed and enquired about Kingston since his arrival at the shelter. The most touching part about this is, this lovely family didn’t see chaos when they came across Kingston’s video online. Instead, they saw a misunderstood dog who simply needed a chance.
Kingston’s Royalty-Like Exit
As revealed in the heartwarming TikTok video that has since left the entire internet in tears, Kingston’s dad drove six hours to come meet him at the shelter. Kingston’s tail couldn’t stop wagging when he realized he’d been adopted. The two first bonded over a brief play session before Kingston’s dad proceeded to sign the adoption papers.
Then came the moment that will forever be a highlight in Kingston’s life.
After handling the paperwork, Kingston’s dad walked him to his luxury sports car, a Corvette. He intentionally wanted Kingston’s first taste of freedom to feel extra special as he bid the shelter goodbye for good. Everyone watched in awe as Kingstone climbed the front leather seat of this sleek car, ready to start a new life with the family of his dreams. But this moment was more than just about the luxury car. It symbolized everything Kingston deserved for all the lonely days and nights he spent on a cold concrete floor.
From the moment Kingtson set foot in his new home, he blended seamlessly with everyone, including the other household dogs and cats. His warm, cheerful personality shone through from the very beginning, as though he was always meant to be a part of this home. Today, Kingston is living his best life far from the kennel hardships, all thanks to a family that chose him when everyone else walked past him.
Kingston was surrendered to Cobb County Animal Services in Marietta, Georgia, by the only family he knew and loved. From the moment he arrived at the shelter, Kingston struggled to cope with the constant confinement and overwhelmingly noisy environment. He’d spent most of his time jumping and spinning endlessly in his kennel out of stress, but sadly, most potential adopters assumed he was unruly and “difficult” to handle.
Kingston found himself repeatedly overlooked because people misjudged his behavior in the kennel. Nobody cared to know his real personality outside the kennel, and as time went by, the persistent zero interest landed him on the shelter’s euthanasia list.
