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Heartbreaking photo of dog after being surrendered to shelter goes viral

An Indiana pup has found a forever home after a heartbreaking picture showing him after being dropped off at the shelter went viral.

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — An Indiana pup has found a forever home after a heartbreaking picture showing him after being dropped off at the shelter went viral.

Ritter, a 4-year-old American bulldog, was recently dropped off at the Humane Society for Hamilton County. The shelter posted a picture of Ritter to Facebook on Tuesday, showing the dog shortly after he was dropped off. In the heart-wrenching pic, Ritter can be seen crouching in the corner of a kennel, hanging his head.

GREAT NEWS Ritter has found a home!! Thank you to everyone who shared his story and reached out. Happily ever after,...

Posted by Humane Society for Hamilton County (Indiana) on Tuesday, June 25, 2019

“A picture is worth a thousand words ... and Ritter's is no different,” the caption of the picture said. “Dropped off at the shelter due to his family losing his home, Ritter's negative reaction to the shelter was immediate and heartbreaking. This is the reality our animals face every day - Heartbreak and a sense of hopelessness.”

The photo pulled at readers’ heartstrings and went viral -- as of Wednesday, it had been shared more than 3,000 times.

Thankfully, the sad photo of Ritter was not the last to be posted. The shelter updated the original post Wednesday, saying Ritter had been adopted. Another post, made Thursday, shows a picture of a smiling Ritter.

The Power of a Photo. Ritter's heartbreaking photo captured by long-time volunteer and photographer Alan Wlasuk went...

Posted by Humane Society for Hamilton County (Indiana) on Wednesday, June 26, 2019

The photographer "captured 'that moment' that all dogs and cats sitting in shelters experience,” shelter officials wrote. “Most are not fortunate to have an amazing photographer present to witness those moments of sadness, disappointment, and desperation. But please make no mistake, they all feel it.”