Cloverfemale Australian Cattle Dog cross, has been waiting to be adopted for over a year. She lives at the shelter Benton-Franklin Humane Society has Kennewick in Washington State (United States). Previously, she had been discovered wandering and taken into the care of another reception structure, where she had spent 406 days.
Suffering from skin allergies requiring a specific diet and monitoring, she was transferred to the Benton-Franklin Humane Society in March 2026, the latter being better equipped to meet its needs.
Julie Saraceno
Since then, the dog has been doing much better. However, she still has a hard time coping with life at the shelter. His heritage as an Australian Cattle Dog, a breed known for its strong need for activity, does not help him.
The volunteer Julie Saraceno quickly realized this and decided to help him. She recently left her phone in the locker room. Clover to film her while she left her alone. The images recorded by his smartphone camera broke his heart; the poor dog was extremely agitated and was going in circles.
“ When she thought I was never coming back, you could see how sad she was just by her body language », she tells The Dodo.
“I have never seen her as relaxed as during our hike”
The daily outings in the shelter courtyard were clearly not enough to Clover. Julie Saraceno had the idea of taking him on a nature hike. This escapade allowed the dog to reveal her true personality.
“ I have never seen her as relaxed as on our hike, because I feel like it was much more stimulating for her than just going to play in the playground », Explains the volunteer.
Upon returning to the shelter, the anxiety of Clover resurfaced. “ I wish people would understand that it is only once these dogs have time to relax that they reveal their true nature. », confides Julie Saraceno.
The team of the Benton-Franklin Humane Society she is looking for a loving family, willing to offer her the physical activity and mental stimulation she so needs.
Julie Saraceno
Woopets info: where does the strong need for exercise in dogs like Clover come from?
These dogs have a high level of activity for a very simple reason: they descend from lines of working and herding dogs in particular.
Breeds like the Australian Cattle Dog have been specifically selected and bred to:
- Work several hours a day outdoors
- Make decisions quickly (manage moving herds)
- Cover long distances
- Remain constantly aware of their surroundings
Thus, even in shelters or with family, they maintain this very dynamic temperament. Without sufficient activity, this can result in restlessness, boredom or anxiety, as seen in Clover.