Stanley is a velcro dog whose love language is definitely physical touch.

He does not like personal space nor does he want to be alone – ever. He must be touching his dad at all times, and if his dad is not around by chance, he will find someone nearby to touch.

Harboring an indomitable fear of facing abandonment once again, Stanley, the rescue pup, clings tightly to his devoted owner’s hand, transcending the scars of a challenging past.

Meet Stanley, The Velcro Dog

Sam Clarence adopted Stanley as a six-month-old puppy from Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue. Stanley was a “foster fail”. 

At that time, Sam was volunteering as a dog walker for the shelter, and they approached him about fostering a puppy for a few weeks.

Two male puppies, aged six months, were found living with their mom on a nearby abandoned property. They were scared, hungry, and in dire need of help. 

Sam couldn’t say no to fostering, but as soon as he laid eyes on Stanley, he knew he was not going anywhere.

“He was terrified when we got home and it took him an hour to slowly come out of the car. Once he got out, I gave him a big bath, some food and a comfy bed in front of the fire,” Sam told The Dodo.

It took some time for Stanley to adjust to living inside the house, but one thing was for sure – he loved his new dad. 

“As a pup, he would sleep with me on the bed and we could never not be touching. He would lay behind me and always have at least a paw touching my back; if I moved, he moved,” Sam said.

From then on, Stanley’s obsession with having to always touch his dad only grew stronger and bigger.

Must Always Be Touching

“We have to be touching at all times. He’s very forceful about it,” Sam said.

Stanley went from a frightened stray pup to a true ‘velcro dog’ who refuses to let go of his dad’s hand whenever they are together, even when Sam is driving.

Take a look at this adorable video from one of their many road trips: 

You simply can’t say no to Stanley. He is very adamant about his ‘must always be touching’ rule. If you don’t comply, he will force it.

“If we are watching TV, same thing. I will get paws flying at me until I touch him. It’s just his quirk. If I’m not around he will do it to my housemate as well,” Sam said.

Stanley loves all outdoor activities, especially going to the beach, the river, or lakes.

And, of course, he loves spending time with his dad. His dad is his safe haven, and there’s no place Stanley would rather be.