The distinctions between Clefford and the rest of the group were on the exterior.
The Staffordshire terrier/Chihuahua mix was Will Stoltenberg’s first encounter with the dog while helping at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. He was immediately captivated to the dog.
“I couldn’t help but pay him a visit every time I went to check on the dogs,” Stoltenberg says in an interview with PEOPLE. “He exhibited a genuinely beautiful personality by pressing up to the kennel door to get scratches every time I went by,” says the trainer.
Despite the fact that Clefford had a timid demeanor and a cleft lip, Stoltenberg was startled to discover that the dog had gone unnoticed by potential adopters for many months.
A special diet and the possibility of surgery did not deter Stoltenberg from falling in love with the canine companion. He made the decision to adopt the dog and to accompany Clefford through the therapy he would need to correct his cleft palate.
Clefford is now on the path to rehabilitation, and his bright personality is shining brighter and brighter through the haze of his tough history with each passing day.
Clefford was a “nervous but loving” dog when Stoltenberg acquired him, and he soon discovered that the “nervous but loving” dog was afraid of “women, vans, bikes, skateboards, motorbikes, and runners.”
According to his owner, “interaction with his concerns took the shape of learning experiences as a result of time and positive reinforcement.”
As a result, Stoltenberg has assisted Clefford in his physical and mental recovery, and the dog has reciprocated by providing dedicated company.
“Adopting Clefford turned out to be one of the finest choices I’ve ever made.” “Clefford has become a true part of my family, and I can’t fathom a world in which I didn’t adopt him,” Stoltenberg continues.
Shelter volunteers hope that their choice to adopt Clefford will serve as an example to others, demonstrating that animal shelters are full with dogs that are eager to become your greatest friends.
It seems that the Internet is taking note of this message: a post Stoltenberg made on Reddit about Clefford’s voyage garnered a great deal of attention and received more than 600 admiring comments.
Since the correction of Clefford’s cleft palate has been completed, Stoltenberg intends to explore additional avenues for making the life of his canine companion more pleasant.
