When the staff at Bloomfield Animal Shelter (BAS) in New Jersey arrived one morning, they were stunned to discover two abandoned dogs tied to the gate. The canines looked up at their rescuers, their eyes filled with sorrow after witnessing their owner walk away.
As the staff rushed to comfort the distressed pups, they noticed a note left by their owner. The heartfelt message revealed the dogs’ names—Shadow and Tiger—and shared their story: “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 Dogs’ Story
The staff’s hearts broke further as they read the owner’s plea for the dogs to be kept together, expressing a deep desire for them not to be euthanized. Described as friendly with other pets and affectionate towards humans, Shadow and Tiger, born on October 12th, 2009, were clearly loved. However, with no room for them at the shelter, the rescuers posted a call for help on social media.
Thankfully, Scooby-Doo’s Rescue Mission (SDRM), located in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, stepped in to foster the brothers.
Siblings Start Smiling Again
Owner of the rescue Christine Biggiani Bakelaar rushed to pick up Shadow and Tiger, instantly captivated by their sad expressions. The moment they were together, the pups began to smile, realizing they were no longer alone. Bakelaar also noticed that she shared a birthday with them, which made her feel that their paths were meant to cross.
She arranged for the brothers to stay at a beautiful foster home on a farm, giving them the time they needed to adjust. The loving foster family showered the dogs with affection, and they quickly understood they were safe and cherished.
Soaking Up Their Foster’s Love
As the foster family provided love and care, Shadow and Tiger flourished, absorbing every bit of affection. Meanwhile, the New Jersey rescue sought to reconnect with their previous family to learn more about the dogs’ medical history. Bakelaar expressed sadness for the owner’s situation, hoping they would reach out to assure them that Shadow and Tiger were safe and would remain together.
“If anyone sees this and knows the owners, please have them contact me. No questions asked; I just want to provide updates and let them know their boys are OK. I promise never to separate them.” the rescuer posted on Facebook.
The team is still waiting to hear from the dogs’ former owner. If that connection isn’t made, Shadow and Tiger will need to find their forever home, but for now, they are enjoying their lives on the farm.
