Dogs’ entire existence revolves around their favorite humans. They thrive in a warm home with a loving family that promises never to let them down.
However, this isn’t always the case, and many pups end up heartbroken when their owners decide to abandon them in their time of need.
These innocent souls have spent most of their lives in a loving home, only to suddenly find themselves confined to the four walls of a kennel. Lately, we have heard numerous stories of such heart-wrenching cases, and today’s story is no different.
A shelter staff shared the tale of one special dog accepted to their facility, which serves as the clearest evidence of that.
A Sudden Decision That Changes Rooney’s Life Forever
Rooney, a seven-year-old dog, had spent his entire life in a cozy home and had never known the feeling of being left alone in a shelter. Tragically, after his 7th birthday, he was forced to learn what that truly felt like when his family abandoned him at a local shelter.
According to a Facebook post published by Lone Star Dog Ranch & Dog Ranch Rescue, Rooney’s family decided to give him up because they were expecting a baby. The post mentioned that the owner felt they could no longer give Rooney the attention he needed.
Thus, poor Rooney suddenly found himself in a dark place within the shelter, surrounded by unfamiliar people and many other dogs who were just as terrified as he was.
“Dogs can smell the fear in the building; they can smell the [euthanasia] of dogs that have to be euthanized due the incredible lack of space that every single shelter is dealing with,” the post noted, highlighting the dire state of the shelter.
In just one day, Rooney’s entire world collapsed, and he could no longer find happiness anywhere. His fate was suddenly uncertain.
Fortunately, kind-hearted individuals from Dog Ranch Rescue, a non-profit organization located in Anna, Texas, heard about Rooney’s plight and decided to take action. One of their employees, Ricky, quickly made his way to the shelter where Rooney was enduring his darkest moments.
A Different Kind of Anger
As soon as Ricky arrived at the shelter, he took Rooney in his arms, transferred him to the car, and headed to their premises in Anna, Texas. When Ricky finally brought Rooney to the rescue center, the staff saw the dog’s depressed face, and they were heartbroken.
However, the sadness and despair soon turned into absolute fury. This anger was evident in a post published on Facebook.
“I am so sick and tired of people’ getting rid of their dogs’ because they had a baby, or a change in their life, blah blah blah…” the post read. “I know some are more compassionate about it than I am, but I’m just not…”
The person who wrote the post also addressed Rooney’s former owner directly, expressing the emotions they had been holding back.
“I always wonder, did you feel bad while you stood in line? 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?” the post questioned.
The shelter staff welcomed Rooney to their rescue center, promising to find him a new home with people who would not betray him as his previous owner did.
While Rooney is still recovering from the deep emotional wound inflicted upon him, there is hope that he will overcome all the challenges and emerge victorious. At least seven more years of happiness in a warm home with people who will truly love and respect him is the least this senior dog deserves.
A Call to Action
This story of Rooney’s abandonment is a reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. It’s a call to action for all animal lovers to stand up against such neglect and ensure that every dog finds a forever home where it is loved and cherished.
Rooney’s story is just one among many, but by raising awareness, we can hope to prevent more dogs from experiencing such heartbreak. Let’s all do our part to ensure that every dog feels safe, loved, and wanted.