Dogs are creatures whose entire existence centers around their beloved humans. They thrive in nurturing environments, feeling happiest when surrounded by a caring family that won’t let them down. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the reality, and many dogs experience heartbreak when their cherished humans abandon them in their time of need. It’s especially tragic for those innocent souls who have known love and suddenly find themselves confined within the cold, sterile walls of a kennel.
Today, we recount one of the most heart-wrenching stories that exemplifies this sadness, evidenced by the reaction from the shelter staff who welcomed this dog.
He Was Suddenly All Alone
Rooney, a seven-year-old dog, had spent his entire life in a loving home and had never faced the agony of abandonment—until his family left him at a local shelter shortly after his birthday. According to a Facebook post by Lone Star Dog Ranch & Dog Ranch Rescue, it was revealed that Rooney’s family decided to abandon him due to an impending new baby, claiming they could no longer give him the attention he needed.
Thus, Rooney was suddenly thrust into the darkness of the shelter, surrounded by unfamiliar people and other frightened dogs. It was noted in the post, “Dogs can smell the fear in the building, they can smell the [euthanasia] of dogs that have to be euthanized due to the incredible lack of space that every single shelter is dealing with.” Within a single day, Rooney’s world crumbled, leaving him lost and desolate, his fate hanging precariously in the balance.
Fortunately, compassionate individuals from Dog Ranch Rescue, a non-profit based in Anna, Texas, learned of Rooney’s plight and took immediate action. One of their staff members, Ricky, rushed to the shelter to rescue him during his darkest hours.
They Were Furious
Upon arrival at the shelter, Ricky immediately cradled Rooney in his arms, transporting him to safety. Staff members at Dog Ranch Rescue were heartbroken to witness the despair written all over Rooney’s face. Yet, this sadness swiftly transformed into rage, which was evident in a post shared on Facebook, expressing the frustration over people abandoning pets during life changes.
“I am so sick and tired of people ‘getting rid of their dogs’ because you had a baby, a change in your life, blah blah blah blah blah…” the post stated. “I know some are more compassionate about it than I am but I’m just not…”
The writer of the post directly addressed Rooney’s former owner, questioning whether they felt remorse while they stood in line at the shelter. “Did you look back at him when you walked away? Did you see his face asking you what the hell? Did you forget about him 5 minutes later? 10 minutes maybe?” they lamented.
Ultimately, the shelter staff warmly welcomed Rooney and vowed to find him a new family—one that would never betray him like his previous owner had. As Rooney starts to heal from the deep wounds inflicted on him, we are hopeful that he will soon enjoy at least another seven years of happiness in a loving home filled with people who will cherish and respect him.
