Being rescued is only the first part of the journey.

Day in and day out, thousands of dogs and other pets come into shelters, hoping that their lives and luck will change for the better.

But not all pets are graced with this kind of compassion. Some can get adopted quickly, like puppies and smaller breeds of dogs.

Others stay for longer.

And through all those days, their tails wag in hopeful anticipation.

One of those dogs is Benny.

Benny, a male pit bull, was approximately 8 months old when he first arrived at the shelter.

The nature of his case wasn’t specified but it was obvious that he was left alone to fend for himself at a young age.

Benny stayed with other dogs in the shelter, and just like all of them, his only wish was for someone to take him home with them.

Fortunately, Benny’s enthusiasm attracted the curiosity of one family. He may have charmed them with his gentleness and energy.

Whatever the case, his antics worked.

From being left alone, Benny can now dream of days filled with love.

If there’s something dogs are really bad at, it’s hiding their feelings. Because when the shelter staff approached his kennel, his tail couldn’t stop wagging.

Somehow, without exchanging words, Benny knew.

Benny knew that the people entering his kennel meant no harm.

He knew that these people were there to take him to his freedom.

He sat back and watched the preparations. All throughout, you can see him grow more restless in sheer excitement.

When presented with a leash, Benny cowered down. He doesn’t know what to make of it.

But after being assured that it was only there to stop him from being a big ball of energy, Benny finally relented.

His “freedom walk” was absolutely joyous.

It wasn’t much of a walk, however. It was more like a “freedom jump.” Benny just keeps on running, tugging, and lunging at everyone at everything.

In fact, Benny was a blur.

He couldn’t believe his luck and he couldn’t believe that he’ll get to see the world beyond the four walls of his kennel.

The moment he stepped out of the facility, Benny sniffed at anything he could get his snout on – stones, people, plants – none of them was safe from his curiosity.

Finally, Benny knows what home is.

People all over the internet shared their reactions as well.

All of them were happy for Benny, but they also recognized the difficulties shelter animals and facilities need to overcome.

“So happy for Benny, but my heart breaks for the others left behind! And the perfect world I hope they all got adopted,” one comment said.

“You can just tell he knew that moment was going to change his life forever!” another comment said, “What a sweet puppy. I hope you’re living your best life, Benny! Adopt don’t shop, and go to shelters. There are so many amazing dogs needing at home instead of breeders.”

See Benny take his first steps into his new life in the heartwarming video below!

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Source: YouTube – DailyPicksandFlicks, Facebook – Saving Carson Shelter Dogs