In the days following the Fourth of July, when most families were still enjoying summer gatherings and fireworks, a dog named Ricky was quietly dropped at a Los Angeles shelter.
The man who brought him in told staff Ricky was a stray, but the truth surfaced within moments.
A microchip scan revealed Ricky already had an owner — the very person who had just walked away.
The realization was heartbreaking. Ricky had not been lost; he had been betrayed.
Abandoned After the Celebration
The 5-year-old dog looked around the shelter, confused and anxious. Unlike some animals who adjust quickly, Ricky found the noise overwhelming.
The echo of barking dogs and the constant clang of doors terrified him.
Yet when taken out for walks, he was gentle, obedient, and affectionate. Staff members noticed how his personality softened when the chaos was gone, but his struggle in the kennel environment only deepened.
Anxiety began to weigh on him, and soon his name appeared on the euthanasia list. Unless someone intervened by 4 p.m. on August 10, Ricky’s story would end before dawn the next day.
A Sleepless Fight to Save His Life
When Courtney Tillia, founder of Minnie’s Mutts Rescue, saw Ricky’s face online, she felt an immediate connection.
Los Angeles Urgent Dogs, a group dedicated to promoting at-risk shelter pets, had shared his story, and Courtney couldn’t look away.
His photo carried a mix of sadness and hope, as though he was waiting for someone to finally see him.
Although she had never met Ricky, volunteers spoke about his sweet personality, and that was enough. Courtney threw herself into the mission of finding him a foster or adopter.
She contacted friends, reached out to other rescues, and spent long hours on the phone. Night after night, she kept searching for someone willing to take him in.
She knew Ricky was suffering from kennel stress, something that often hides a dog’s true nature.
Sensitive animals, she had seen, are often the ones who later become the most loving companions once they are safe.
As August 10 drew closer, her desperation grew.
On the evening of the deadline, she still hadn’t secured a single home for him. That night, she hardly slept, replaying his face in her mind.
The next morning, with dread in her voice, she called the shelter expecting the worst. Instead, she received a miracle: Ricky was still alive.
She didn’t question how or why. She simply rushed over, signed the papers, and took him out herself. Riding in the car, Ricky beamed with joy, as if he knew he had just been given another chance.
A Dog Ready for Brighter Days
Courtney didn’t have a plan when she pulled Ricky out, but she had faith that love would guide the way.
Her husband took Ricky on his first walk outside the shelter, and the change was immediate. Ricky rolled in the grass, sniffed at the flowers, and wagged his tail with delight.
He tugged on his leash like he wanted to turn every step into a playful game.
For a dog who had been moments away from losing everything, the joy of freedom was overwhelming.
At the clinic, Ricky began treatment for kennel cough and stomach issues, both lingering effects of his stressful stay.
Even while healing, his personality shined through. He greeted people with a goofy grin, leaned in for pets, and carried himself with the charm of a dog who still believed in kindness.
Every small gesture — from wagging his tail to rolling in the sunshine — felt like his way of saying thank you.
Today, Ricky is waiting for a family that will finally give him the love he deserves.
The reasons behind his abandonment may never be known, but his future is filled with promise.
He is a dog who has already proven his resilience and his will to live.
What he needs now is someone to open their home and heart to him, ensuring he will never again face the fear of being left behind.
You can reach out to Minnie’s Mutts Rescue on Instagram or Facebook if you wish to welcome Ricky into your home