Five dogs were once on the euthanasia list at Kern County Animal Services in Bakersfield, California. Today, they live together in harmony in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Their devoted adopter, James, is an avid hiker, and the dogs often join him on forest and mountain adventure. The hike safely on-leash or explore designated off-leash areas where they can sniff, splash in streams, and soak up the joy of just being dogs.
Despite their behavior notes at the shelter, all the dogs get along wonderfully. Their story is a powerful reminder that the stress and confinement of shelter life can lead to behaviors that don’t reflect a dog’s true nature. With love, patience, and the right environment, these once-overlooked dogs have truly come into their own.
CAPS is incredibly grateful to James, not only for saving four lives, but for continuing to support our mission. As a dedicated volunteer, he now helps network other at-risk Kern County dogs on social media, giving more dogs a second chance at life.
Flo-Rida’s Journey: From Shelter Struggles to a Forever Home
Listed on the CAPS-run Petfinder page for Kern County Animal Services, Flo-Rida immediately stood out to James, a dog lover living in Washington. A unique-looking pup—believed to be a Pit Bull/Dachshund mix—Flo-Rida reminded James of the two dogs he already had at home. He knew he had to learn more.
Flo-Rida had arrived at the shelter on January 29, 2023, and while his personality and appearance were charming, he had a few strikes against him that made his future uncertain.
In playgroups, Flo-Rida tended to be dominant with other dogs. While this is relatively common behavior, it can be a significant challenge in a shelter environment where space is limited and dogs often have to be kenneled together. In addition, Flo-Rida developed a scrotal hematoma—a post-neuter complication that caused bruising, swelling, and pain. Understandably, he became defensive and snapped at medical staff during exams, making it even harder to treat him.
As if that weren’t enough, Flo-Rida also came down with an upper respiratory infection, a common illness in crowded shelters. With medical and behavioral concerns mounting, the shelter added Flo-Rida to the euthanasia list.
But these factors didn’t deter James. After contacting CAPS’ rescue coordinator, Kelci, and reviewing all of Flo-Rida’s medical and behavioral notes, he remained confident that this pup just needed the right home and a little patience. James was ready to give Flo-Rida the life he deserved.
The shelter approved an over-the-phone adoption, and CAPS coordinated transportation. On March 18, 2023, Flo-Rida’s adoption became official and his new forever live began.
Thanks to a compassionate adopter, a determined rescue coordinator, and a network that believed in second chances, Flo-Rida, renamed Wolfgang, is thriving in a loving home where he truly belongs.
Dynamo’s Transformation: From Hidden Injuries to a Loving Home
Some dogs come into the shelter quietly, their suffering hidden from public view. Dynamo was one of them.
He arrived at Kern County Animal Services on June 22, 2023, brought in by a Good Samaritan who found him wandering as a stray with a painful, gruesome injury. A “chunk of meat” was reportedly hanging from one of his legs, and he had bloody sores along his elbows and paws. At intake, staff weren’t sure if his leg was broken.
As days passed, Dynamo became lame, prompting the need for radiographs. Fortunately, his leg wasn’t broken, but it was clearly injured. His condition worsened as foxtails were discovered embedded all over his body and in his ear; some had even burrowed into his skin. His long, beautiful coat had to be shaved to properly treat his wounds.
Because of his medical needs, Dynamo was housed in the shelter’s back building, an area closed to the public. With no visibility to potential adopters, his chances at finding a home dwindled. Eventually, the shelter added him to the euthanasia list.
But then, James saw him.
Having recently adopted Flo-Rida. and still mourning the loss of one of his older dog, James reached out to CAPS once again after seeing Dynamo’s profile. He spoke with Kelci at length, learning all he could about Dynamo’s condition and personality. She requested that the shelter evaluate Dynamo in a playgroup to assess his behavior with other dogs. While he wasn’t particularly playful, he wasn’t reactive either. Dynamo was simply quiet, perhaps still recovering from the trauma.
Despite the medical concerns, James didn’t hesitate. On August 5, 2023, he officially adopted Dynamo over the phone. CAPS coordinated his transport, and soon, Dynamo was headed north to Washington.
Dynamo became White Fang. He soon had a stunning, long-haired coat. From hidden pain to a life full of love, his transformation was nothing short of incredible.
Hubert’s Journey: Third Time’s the Charm
Some dogs just need the right person to see past the chaos of the shelter. For Hubert, that person was James.
Hubert arrived at Kern County Animal Services on July 27, 2023, after being picked up as a stray. A striking Husky with one blue eye and one brown, he quickly caught the attention of potential adopters. On August 15, he was adopted, but less than 24 hours later, he was returned. The adopter reported that Hubert didn’t get along with the resident dog.
He remained at the shelter for several more weeks until September 6, when he was adopted again. This time, staff and volunteers were overjoyed. Hubert had captured many hearts with his handsome face and charming personality. But the joy was short-live; Hubert was found stray once more, and this time, and his adopters never came to reclaim him.
As days passed, Hubert began showing signs of kennel stress. He was struggling to coexist with his kennel mates, and the stress was starting to affect his behavior. As a result, the shelter put Hubert on the euthanasia list.
That’s when CAPS stepped in again, featuring Hubert on social media as an urgent case. And once again, James, who had already adopted Flo-Rida and Dynamo, reached out.
Having recently fallen for Huskies thanks to Dynamo (now known as White Fang), James was curious about Hubert. Fortunately, CAPS had a trusted contact who had previously hosted Hubert in her home. She assured James that Hubert was great with her dogs and simply needed out of the shelter environment, where the stress had taken a serious toll.
To help James make his decision, Kelci filmed Hubert at the shelter, and sent the footage to James. That was all it took. On October 28, 2023, James officially adopted Hubert over the phone.
Now thriving in his new home in Washington, Hubert has become a well-behaved, vocal member of a growing pack. He gets along beautifully with his dog siblings and is finally living the peaceful, happy life he deserves. Hubert has remained his name.
Corky’s Tale: The Low Rider with a Big Heart
Some dogs just have that spark: an irresistible mix of charm and character that makes you stop in your tracks. That was Corky.
On June 28, 2024, Corky arrived at Kern County Animal Services as a stray. He was a squatty, gray Pit Bull with little legs, a big head, and an even bigger personality. CAPS’ rescue coordinator, Kelci, happened to be volunteering at the shelter when she met him. Corky instantly reminded her of Flo-Rida (Wolfgang), one of her all-time favorite adoptees, So, she took him out for a walk and gathered some video.
It didn’t take long for Kelci to see just Corky’s sweet, silly and lively personality. She immediately thought of James.
James had recently lost the second of his original dogs and wasn’t sure if he was ready for another. Still, he told Kelci to keep him in mind.
Corky quickly became a favorite among staff and volunteers thanks to his low-rider frame, expressive face, and goofy charm. But like many dogs in overcrowded shelters, he eventually got into an altercation with his kennel mate. It’s an all-too-common situation: unfamiliar dogs are placed together in tight quarters and expected to get along flawlessly. Sometimes, the stress is just too much.
That incident landed Corky on the euthanasia list.
Kelci reached out to James again—and this time, he was ready. The timing couldn’t have been better. But there was a new challenge: due to extreme overcrowding, the shelter wasn’t able to hold Corky until transport day. CAPS scrambled to find a solution and, thankfully, connected with a local woman willing to foster him temporarily.
James officially adopted Corky over the phone on July 9, 2024.
On the day of his big journey to Washington, Corky spent a few joyful hours at Kelci’s house, playing fetch, relaxing, and soaking up love before hitting the road. He was, as always, a total delight.
Today, Corky is known as Siegfried (Ziggy for short) and lives happily with Wolfgang (formerly Flo-Rida), White Fang (formerly Dynamo), and Hubert. He’s a perfect addition to this extraordinary pack, all thanks to a rescue network that never gave up and an adopter whose heart seems to have no limits.
Herbert’s Journey: The Gentle Husky with a Heart of Gold
Some dogs just make an impression the moment you meet them. That was Cairo.
He arrived at Kern County Animal Services on April 17, 2025, after being found as a stray in Lamont, California. A strikingly handsome Husky, Cairo caught the eye of Kelci right away, not just because of his looks, but because of his demeanor. He was unusually calm, quietly watching the world from inside his kennel.
And that kennel? It wasn’t spacious. Cairo was sharing it with several other dogs of all size, including a tiny, energetic puppy. But he was patient, kind, and gentle, even with the little one.
CAPS featured Cairo in a social media post highlighting a day of pampering for some of the shelter pups. But surprisingly, no interest came in.
We sent his photo and video to our volunteer network, hoping someone on Nextdoor might see the magic we saw. Still no interest.
We were stumped. A quiet, composed, well-mannered Husky who got along with every dog he met? That’s practically a unicorn in the shelter world. How was he being overlooked?
Still, Cairo became a favorite among staff and volunteers. There was something undeniably special about him.
Then James reached out.
He’d heard about Cairo and wondered if he was really as wonderful as we said. Kelci decided to find out firsthand. She took Cairo out for a day-date, just to be sure.
She was right.
Cairo was perfect in the car—calm and quiet the whole ride. They stopped at a coffee shop, where he settled in beside her on the patio without a fuss. Another dog showed up nearby; Cairo barely blinked. A young girl, around four-years-old, came over to say hi. Cairo’s tail wagged, and he gently gave her a smooch on the cheek.
He was exactly what we hoped he’d be and more.
After hearing the full report, James decided to adopt yet another Kern County Animal Services dog featured by CAPS. On June 6, 2025, he officially adopted Cairo over the phone.
A CAPS volunteer brought him to his transport. Cairo was on his way.
Today, Cairo is known as Herbert. He’s living a happy life with his new dog siblings. Moreover, he and Hubert look like they could be biological brothers.
Sometimes the quietest dogs have the loudest impact. Herbert is proof of that.
In Loving Memory of White Fang (formerly Dynamo)
In June, we said goodbye to a very special soul.
White Fang, known to us as Dynamo, passed away after falling gravely ill. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and a collapsed lung, and despite every effort, the kindest choice was to let him go peacefully.
James, and his dog brothers are devastated. White Fang was more than a rescue he was family. A quiet, gentle presence who had once suffered in silence at the shelter, he spent his final chapter surrounded by love, comfort, and the kind of life every dog deserves.
We are endlessly grateful to James, not only for saving White Fang, but for giving him a home where he was cherished every single day.
Rest easy, sweet boy. You will always be remembered.
How You Can Help
Please consider donating to CAPS to help us continue our life-saving work. Your support allows us to network urgent dogs, raise awareness, and connect them with adopters and rescues who can give them the future they deserve.
