Dedicated to giving these animals a breather, shelter caretaker Alex takes dogs out to give them extra attention, love, and a break from excessive barking. One dog she worked with weekly was 3-year-old Midge, who lived at Desert Hot Springs Animal Care and Control in North Palm Springs, California, for over 13 months.

And in quiet moments, he practices his technique for sit and shake so that when he meets his forever family, he’s well prepared to greet them.”

Pongo was abandoned by his previous owner after they moved out and has struggled to adjust to the shelter in the 18 months since then.