It’s difficult to walk by Speck’s kennel at the Bullock County Humane Society without saying hello.

When he sees someone approaching, the affectionate pup presses his face between the metal bars and extends out his paw.

“All he wants is people’s love,” the shelter’s director, Desiray Miracle-Wilder, told The Dodo. “He’ll put out his small hand, and all he wants is for you to touch him and grasp his hand.” And he gets so upset when you go to finish cleaning or whatever you’re doing.”

Speck has been sitting in a little kennel at the Alabama shelter for a year and a half, unseen, waiting for a family to adopt him. You’d think that Speck’s wounds on his face would have hardened him after years of living on the street, yet he couldn’t be more trusting.

“You could put another huge dog or a cat around him, but he is just so hooked on getting affection from humans that he doesn’t care about anything else,” Wilder said.

“All he wants is for you to touch him.” “She continued. “If you sit down, he’ll lie on you; if you hold his hand, he’ll grip yours; if you scratch his tummy, he’ll roll over.”

Wilder was cleaning the kennels last Thursday when she was inspired to record the pup’s adorable hand-holding habit.

She shared the video on her Facebook page in the hopes of generating some interest in Speck, and it soon went viral, garnering 96,000 views in only a few days.

Speck’s video piqued the interest of Allie’s Hope For Paws Pup Rescue, which assisted in matching the shelter dog with an excellent adoptive.

“He’ll be running with Mike, his family, and two fur brothers on a 26-acre farm!” Wilder sent a message on Facebook. “We’re overjoyed. Not only did this video of Speck’s cuteness help him be adopted, but it also helped a few other fur babies get saved and he got us some food contributions!”

Speck is now waiting for transit to finally meet his future family. He leaves behind a few other long-termers who are still looking for a loving home, but Wilder is hoping that Speck will encourage others to open their hearts to his pals.

As we encounter shelter dogs yearning for connection, may we respond with empathy and understanding. Let us be the caring individuals who reach out and hold hands, offering comfort and reassurance to these animals in need. Through our collective efforts, we can make a difference in the lives of shelter dogs, providing them with the love and companionship they so desperately seek.

May this touching behavior of the shelter dog serve as a reminder of the importance of human connection, compassion, and the profound impact we can have on the lives of animals in need.