A shelter dog named Clementine who was subjected to cruelty so severe she lost an eye, has embarked on an incredible journey she hopes will end with her finally finding a forever home.

Clementine was one of approximately 200 dogs and 100 cats flown to the United States from Afghanistan by Kabul Small Animal Rescue (KSAR) in early May of this year. By then, this brave shepherd mix had already endured the most horrific of starts to life.

"Clementine came to us in the fall of 2021 with an eyeball ruptured from being pelted by rocks," KSAR told Newsweek. "After emergency enucleation surgery, then done by flashlight, the minimal equipment left after our clinic was looted in August of 2021, she healed quickly and her sweet side shone through."

Upon arrival to the U.S., Clementine was one of 13 of the dogs who ended up at Passion for Pets Rescue in Maine. Now just three, including Clementine, have yet to be adopted.

Missing half an ear for reasons unknown, Clementine's harrowing experience has made her shy around new people. It takes time for her to warm up to visitors and trust needs to be built.

Sadly, shelter dogs like this can often struggle to catch the attention of a would-be adopter. Part of that is down to the small window of time they have in which to make a big impression.

A 2014 study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science, examining interactions between shelter pets and visitors, found that prospective pet owners tended to interact with just one dog per trip.

These interactions would also last an average of just eight minutes. Clementine is one of the lucky ones though. She's currently staying with a foster carer, Paul Lemont. Foster carers like Lemont provide shelter dogs with the kind of care and focus they need to come out of their shell.

In return, he's been privileged to see Clementine come out of her shell as a sweet and happy dog.

"Clementine likes to ride in the car and go for walks," Lemont told Newsweek. "She also enjoys just hanging out on our back deck chasing squirrels and birds and laying in the sun."

It's clear her experiences in Afghanistan have stayed with her in some respects, Lemont said Clementine will often "bark at passing dogs" and, having lived on the streets surviving off scraps, is a "high food resource guarder" meaning she needs to eat alone away from other animals.

More than anything though, Clementine craves the affection that was so lacking from those difficult first few years. "Clementine is a love bug and she loves head scratches," Lemont said. "When you stop scratching, she raises her paw for more just like in the video. It's such a cute response!"

That particular behavior was highlighted in a video posted to TikTok by Adoptapet last week, as part of a clip showcasing Clementine's story and availability. It's been watched over 140,000 times and the hope is that someone from Maine or the surrounding area takes note and decides to contact her shelter.

Clementine is a complex dog with a specific set of needs. "She would do best in a home with no other pets," Lemont said. " We have two elderly cats and she gets along fine with them outdoors but will occasionally growl at them when they enter her space so we don't completely trust her with them indoors."

He added: "We have not tried to introduce her with other dogs at this point in time. She got along with one of the dogs at the previous foster but not with another, therefore, at best, dog selective."

House trained, capable of being left home alone uncrated and good at walking on a lead, Clementine loves people. Now she just needs that special someone somewhere to love her back.