When the staff members of Bloomfield Animal Shelter (BAS) in New Jersey arrived one morning, they were shocked to discover two abandoned dogs waiting by the gate. The canines gazed at their rescuers with sorrowful eyes, reflecting the heartbreak they felt as their owner walked away.
Upon rushing to comfort the devastated dogs, the staff found them tied to a fence, accompanied by a note from their owner.
The Dogs’ Story
The staff members’ hearts broke further as they read the note, which conveyed the owner’s despair:
“Hi. I am sorry, but my babies deserve to live their golden years happy and in a good, warm home for the winter. I can’t take care of them while living on the street. Our home was foreclosed on, putting us out in the street.”
The desperate owner pleaded for the dogs not to be euthanized and for them to remain together.
As the staff continued to read, they discovered the dogs’ names were Shadow and Tiger, brothers born on October 12th, 2009. The note described them as friendly towards other pets and affectionate towards humans.
Feeling overwhelmed, the rescuers knew they had no room for the abandoned dogs. They took to social media, urgently seeking a foster home for Shadow and Tiger. Luckily, Scooby-Doo’s Rescue Mission (SDRM) in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, stepped in to offer a safe haven for the siblings.
Siblings Start Smiling Again
Christine Biggiani Bakelaar, the rescue’s owner, quickly rushed to the shelter to bring Shadow and Tiger home. The moment she laid eyes on their pictures and the sadness echoing from their eyes, they captured her heart. Upon their departure, the pups began to smile, as if they knew they were no longer alone. Surprisingly, Bakelaar realized they shared a birthday, confirming that it was fate for these dogs to cross her path.
She found a loving foster home on a farm for the two brothers. After settling in, they were allowed time to relax in their new environment.
Soaking Up Their Foster’s Love
As their caring foster showered them with attention, Shadow and Tiger began to feel secure and cherished. They soaked up the love being offered. The New Jersey rescue hopes to trace their previous family to learn more about their medical history. Bakelaar expressed sadness for the dogs’ former owner and hoped they would reach out to her, assuring them that Shadow and Tiger were safe and would remain together.
“If anyone sees this and knows the previous owners, please ask them to reach out. No questions asked, I just want to learn more about them and assure the owner that their boys are okay. I promise never to separate them and would like to provide updates,” she appealed in a Facebook comment.
The team is hopeful that the dogs’ former owner will make contact. If they don’t, Shadow and Tiger are prepared to turn the page and seek their forever home, while currently thriving in their loving foster environment.
