A 4-year-old dog, returned to a Las Vegas animal shelter because his demeanor was deemed “too boring,” has now been placed in a caring foster home where he can indulge in his favorite activity: napping.

Duke, whose specific breed isn’t clear but resembles a lab mix, was brought back to The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas this week. Just hours after they announced his return, a woman showed up to foster him.

He is now happily settling into her home, enjoying the relaxation he loves so much.

Kelsey Pizzi, a representative from The Animal Foundation, shared with YSL News that she met Duke on Thursday and noted that he “was just relaxing the entire time.”

Pizzi also mentioned that Duke appeared quite at ease in his new surroundings.

Previous owners described Duke as a ‘constant napper’

Duke first arrived at The Animal Foundation on June 23 after being found lost in a neighborhood in southwest Las Vegas. He was adopted just a few days later on July 6.

However, his previous family felt that their lifestyle did not resonate well with Duke, and they returned him to the shelter on Wednesday. They reported that he was “boring, sleeps all day, and doesn’t greet them when they come home,” according to a social media post from the shelter.

“His frequent napping and noticeable lack of excitement made him an unsuitable match for his last family,” the foundation said in the Facebook post. “And that’s completely fine. We believe there are many people out there who would appreciate Duke’s laid-back personality.”

Duke’s new foster mom confirms he loves to sleep

Foster mom Sue Marshall informed YSL News that Duke “is adapting well to her home.”

“He did great last night; he cuddled up on the sofa with me and rested his head in my lap,” Marshall said. “This morning we took a long walk before it got too hot. He has been using the doggie door and hasn’t barked at the neighbors.”

Marshall added that Duke is “very relaxed” and enjoys spending a lot of time sleeping.

On Monday, she mentioned her plans to formally adopt Duke and was looking into the adoption process.

“He’s a sweetheart and enjoys receiving attention,” she shared. “I’ve been giving him plenty of love.”

Dog returns to shelters are common

Pizzi mentioned to YSL News that around 5% of the animals adopted from their shelter end up being returned.

“It’s perfectly alright,” she explained. “We strive to be realistic about these situations. We don’t want anyone to feel ashamed. Our goal is to assist and help them find a better fit for their family.”

The Animal Foundation noted that Duke, weighing 87 pounds, has good leash manners and is likely potty-trained, preferring to do his business outside.

According to Pizzi, Duke also loves his treats, particularly pepperoni.

The Animal Foundation is recognized as one of the largest shelters in the United States, according to Pizzi, and has taken in approximately 13,000 animals this year alone. Summer is their busiest season, with nearly 100 animals arriving daily. Currently, the shelter houses around 675 animals, including dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, pigs, and guinea pigs, with 456 being dogs.

Pizzi noted that “most of these animals are lost and likely had owners at some point.” Unfortunately, many of them are never reclaimed and instead get adopted by new families.

She further explained that “larger dogs often take a bit longer to find homes.”

“While puppies and smaller breeds are adopted swiftly, larger dogs may wait weeks or even months for someone to choose them,” she added.