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From Scared Stray to Velcro Dog: Stanley Just Won’t Let Go of His Dad’s Hand
Stanley used to be a frightened little stray pup, unsure of the world and everything in it. But these days? He’s a certified “Velcro dog” — and he’s not letting go of his dad’s hand, not now, not ever.
While some dogs enjoy a bit of personal space to nap or chew their toys, Stanley prefers a different lifestyle: full-time physical contact. If he’s with his dad, they have to be touching. Period.
Sam Clarence met Stanley while volunteering as a dog walker at a shelter in Christchurch, New Zealand. At the time, two six-month-old puppies had been rescued from an abandoned property, and Sam was asked to foster one temporarily. But the moment he saw Stanley’s photo, Sam knew one thing for sure: this dog was never leaving.
Still, love at first sight? Not quite.
“When we got home, he was terrified. It took him a full hour just to come out of the car,” Sam recalled. “Once he did, I gave him a warm bath, some food, and a cozy bed by the fireplace.”
That was the start of everything.
As Stanley began to settle into indoor life — with regular meals, a warm bed, and actual love — he also began his campaign of constant contact. “When he was a pup, he would sleep in my bed and had to be touching me at all times,” Sam said. “He’d lie behind me with at least one paw on my back. If I moved, he moved.”
Years have passed, but Stanley hasn’t changed one bit.
“If I’m driving, he’ll paw at me until I hold his paw. If we’re watching TV, same thing — paw, paw, paw — until we’re in contact,” Sam explained. “Even when I’m not home, he’ll do it to my housemate. It’s just who he is.”
Now, the inseparable duo often heads out on adventures around New Zealand, and Stanley never passes up a chance to jump in a lake, river, or ocean. He lives for the outdoors — as long as Dad’s close by.
Sam doesn’t mind the clinginess. In fact, he loves it.
“He lives to make people happy. He’s just the chillest, happiest guy. I’ve never met a dog with such a big personality,” Sam said.
And so, Stanley went from a scared little stray to the ultimate cuddlebug road trip partner — proving that sometimes, the best kind of love is the kind that just won’t let go.
