Hearts are breaking for a dog who, after living with a family for four years, is learning to live in an animal shelter again.

5-year-old Nala was found wandering the streets in the United Arab Emirates as a puppy. Someone picked her up and brought her to Al Mayya K9 Adoptions where she was adopted out rather quickly, a representative of the rescue center told Newsweek via TikTok.

Nala lived with a family for about four years, but about a month ago they reached out expressing their desire to surrender her. They told the rescue center that Nala "didn't like strangers coming into the house and would growl and become nervous."

Hoping to avoid an owner surrender, Al Mayya K9 Adoptions offered to help and advised the family it could be worked on. However, it would require time and patience.

"We visited and offered help and told them to really think it over," the representative said. "We said to maybe put her upstairs where she felt safe if visitors came over, but they didn't want to. We suggested to see a behaviourist, they did this once and gave up."

The family brought Nala back to them on September 28 and a TikTok video posted earlier this week showed her sad and confused in her kennel. She shyly accepted the love, attention and treats from the rescue workers, but fear filled her eyes.

The life she knew for the past four years was ripped out from under her. Now, she's in the shelter for the first time and she's terrified. The rescue organization feels horrible because they can't even explain to her why it happened.

"She has been extremely shut down coming into the shelter, which has broken all of our hearts," the representative said. "She just looks lost. When we took her, she kept trying to turn back to the house, then back to the van once we arrived."

Even after being surrendered, Nala has still shown workers her sweet personality. Her tail wags as she's greeted at the door. She accepts cuddles too. But what she needs is a forever home to adopt her.

Heartbroken, viewers flooded the comment section with their thoughts and prayers. The video reached over 18,400 views and 1,574 likes as of Thursday.

"I hope this dear dog will get a wonderful home," said a viewer.

Another commented: "Awwww! She's absolutely beautiful. I hope she finds a loving home."

A third person added: "If only she knew what a TikTok superstar she is, and we're all rooting for her."

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