Starving dog abandoned outside shelter with tragic note around her neck

The Deleware Humane Society has seen its fair share of tragic outcomes for animals, but the story of one abandoned dog really stuck in their hearts this year. This is the story of a precious dog named Sky.

The gorgeous Terrier-mixed dog was an unexpected surprise.

Advertisement

She had been left nearby the shelter and was wandering through their grounds when she was discovered by one of the shelter dogs. A staff member had been taking the shelter dog out for a walk when she started going crazy and barking at something on the opposite side of the fence.

As a rule of thumb, a healthy dog of Sky’s age and breed should weigh in around 50 lbs, but Sky only weighed 30. She stood out in her oversized harness, and that’s when the staff member realized the dog had a note and bag attached to the harness.

What the worker read was enough to make her heart shatter with compassion and welcome the dog into the shelter.

“Please take care of Sky,” the note said. “She is 6 years old and friendly. I couldn’t take care of her. I became homeless and couldn’t feed her. She is not sick, just hungry, very friendly. Please find her a home. Please,” it read.

Facebook/Deleware Human Association Source: Facebook/Deleware Human Association
Advertisement

After performing a thorough medical evaluation the Director of animal care for Deleware Humane Association, Kerry Flanagan Bruni, determined that the dog was roughly 20 lbs below the average weight for her breed and age.

“It appears just to be that she wasn’t being fed the proper amount,” she determined.

Even though the poor dog was literally starving, her temperament couldn’t have been any better. She was as bubbly as any other happy dog on the planet.

Facebook/Delewar Humane Association Source: Facebook/Delewar Humane Association
Advertisement

Not only did Sky love being around people, but she also appeared to be extremely well socialized. She got along great with the other shelter dogs. This put shelter workers at ease that the dog’s behavior had nothing to do with why she was abandoned. The vet then continued with the process of clearing Sky for adoption, including screening her for parasites and bringing her current on dewormer, flea and tick repellent, and vaccines.

The shelter was full of compassion for not just Sky, but for her former owner, as well. They posted a few of her pictures and her story to Facebook, with a caption that read:

“We can’t imagine this was easy for her former owner, so please refrain from expressing any negative thoughts you may have.”

Facebook/Deleware Humane Association Source: Facebook/Deleware Humane Association
Advertisement

The shelter had to keep the dog on a “5-day hold” to allow plenty of time and opportunity for her former owner to change his mind and come reclaim her. The hold is also standard to make sure any “surrendered” animal hasn’t, in fact, been stolen.

According to Bruni, adoption requests came pouring in shortly after Sky’s photos were uploaded to social media.

Even after the hold was over, however, they informed people that Sky would stay with them until she was back at a regular weight. That way, she would be healthy enough to be spayed before going to live with her forever family.

Advertisement

After about a month, Sky was up to an adoptable weight. She had been fostered for over a month and was a happy, healthy dog. It didn’t take long for her to get adopted and she loved her new humans dearly. She even had a fur-brother named Jax who was also a veteran at the shelter. For all intents and purposes, it looked like Sky had finally met her forever family.

Unfortunately, she loved them so much that she ended up getting too protective. The people who adopted her have lots of visitors throughout the day, and no matter what they tried it seemed to be too much for Sky to handle. Sadly, the friendly dog was returned to the shelter to find a family who was a better fit for her.

Advertisement

Sky was returned to the DHA in late October, and as of today, the sweet girl is still searching for her forever home. Do you think that you’re that right person to be her human?

Watch the adorable video that thousands of people are melting over below and decide for yourself. Even if you can’t take her in your home, you can donate to her cause by visiting the Deleware Humane Association here.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

H/T: Animal Channel

Advertisement