It’s always heartbreaking to see a dog left behind by its owner. Some people can abandon their dog so heartlessly and in inhumane ways.
But sometimes we have to be sympathetic to people who have to give up their dogs—pets can be an expense and responsibility that, due to life circumstances, people can no longer afford.
When one dog was found on his own, a note explained the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding his abandonment. But it’s a story that shows how far a little compassion and care can go.
In 2017, a pit bull left in a cage outside Litchfield Hills Veterinary Hospital in Harwinton, Connecticut.
The poor dog was scared and alone—but it was also apparent that the dog wasn’t dumped in malice: his cage included food, water, blankets and his favorite toys.
Also inside: a handwritten letter, penned by the former owner in the dog’s voice, explained the whole heartbreaking situation that led him there:
My name is Fatty McFat. I am aggressive only because I’m scared. My owner loves me very much, I am their life! My human went homeless & found out they have a disease & cannot care for me. Please don’t judge them. They tried to rehome me on many documented attempts, no one cared! Attempted the vet, they did not care! Call police & dog warden, did not care! I know my human loves because they were & are the only one who gave every attempt to save me, love me, and pamper me.
WFSB
It is not fair for me to live in a car for 2 months & my human cries everyday that they are sorry & love me. I am very, very overly protective of my human & will bite anyone who comes near them or I feel is a threat. My human went homeless due to my biting. All my human wants is for me to have a chance, be treated w/ care, dignity & love no matter the outcome. My human is heartbroken & very sad it has come to this. No one would help.
–Fat McFat
Harwinton Animal Control Officer Thomas Mitchell recalled that the dog’s owner called him to give him a heads up about Fatty, and that she sounded heartbroken on the phone, indicating that she still truly cared about her pet.
“Dropped him off, made sure he was in the shade, and prepared—and as she was driving up the road, she called the vets office and the adjoining towns animal control officer to let them know he was there,” Mitchell told WFSB.
“I couldn’t imagine how somebody in that situation may feel.”
The good news is that Fatty was well taken care of. After being brought to Harwinton Animal Control, local rescue the Simon Foundation agreed to take care of him for free.
“They do this kind of thing,” Mitchell said. “They will help people in crisis.”
They got the dog neutered, and provided training for his behavioral issues. While Fatty was scared and angry when he first arrived, he soon made incredible progress.
“With patience and gentle encouragement, Fatty was soon showing off his skills, of sit, down, and paw,” the Simon Foundation wrote on Facebook.
Then came the happy ending: Fatty was able to be reunited with his owner!
While Fatty was being cared for free of charge, it gave the woman a chance to find a job and get her affairs sorted out, and found a new home for the both of them.
Both the dog and owner got a fresh new start.
“With everything in place, Fatty was reunited with his Mom, which was a joyful experience, and he set off on a fresh start in a new home, and a new state,” the Simon Foundation wrote.
What a perfect ending! It just goes to show the important work animal rescue groups do—not just for pets but for their owners as well.
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