In Memphis, Tennessee, a family’s yard was visited by a dog named Oliver who was abandoned (USA). Animal control attempted to find him, but each time they came close to the dog, it would leap over the fence and leave the yard as if it were some sort of game. Until police caught him using a humane trap and took him to Memphis Animal Services.
Oliver is a highly bright dog who enjoyed food and treats and knew that if he listened and behaved, he would get a lot from them. The shelter staff believes that Oliver may have formerly had a family.
According to Katie Pemberton, Community Engagement Specialist of Memphis Animal Services,
“I first encountered him on the day he arrived, and he sat down next to me as soon as I told him I had goodies. Naturally, he was even more eager to sit down when the sweets were brought out. He rubbed himself up against the cage bars more and more as he came to know me so I could pet him.
Oliver was so obsessed with eating that he soon started carrying his bowl around with him wherever he went.
He had his bowl in his mouth the first night he was at the shelter when the field supervisor passed by his kennel in the Animal Control intake area, according to Katie.
“She offered him additional food as a result of her clever ruse, which worked really well! She continued doing so after settling into her permanent kennel. Most of the time, he had her bowl in her mouth.”
It’s possible that Oliver learned the skill of picking up his food dish from someone from his past. It’s also conceivable that he had gone without eating at one time and was anxious about missing his plate and going without food once more.
Oliver continued to bring his food dish throughout the shelter, which the workers found to be quite endearing. However, Oliver would be put to death if he didn’t find a rescue organization or a home soon.
Soon after shelter volunteers started photographing Oliver’s behavior and sharing them online, the rest of the world also started to adore Oliver.
