When dog walkers first spotted a lone Golden Retriever running around a park in Hamborn, Germany, they assumed his owner must be nearby.
But when he was still there two days later, it dawned on them that something wasn't right.
Alone and confused
The poor pup was well-groomed and seemed to be in good health, but he was disoriented and very fearful of people.
The rescue team managed to surround him, bringing him to the safety of Duisberg animal shelter.
Larry, as he was renamed, was found to have no microchip, making it impossible to know whether he had strayed or been deliberately abandoned.
Anna Koltermann, who runs the shelter, suspects that a dog as nervous as Larry may have run away initially, but due to his fear of people he became trapped in the park.
A new name and a fresh start
Despite 3,000 people sharing Larry's story, nobody has come forward to claim him.
The Retriever clearly misses his family, and the team hold a glimmer hope that somebody may still come forward. If they don't, they will do everything they can to find Larry his perfect forever home, where he'll be loved and kept safe for the rest of his days.
