On a chilly, misty winter evening, Emily Orr was driving home from her mother’s house in Parkville, Missouri, when something caught her attention.
As she passed by a local dog park, she heard strange, distressed noises that sounded like someone—or something—was in trouble.
Concerned, she slowed down and moved closer to the park. She wasn’t comfortable heading home without knowing what was going on.
When she reached the locked entrance and looked toward the fence, she spotted a small dog staring back at her with pleading eyes. The pup looked desperate for help.
Help Arrives Just In Time
Orr’s heart sank. She immediately felt the urge to help but couldn’t leave her young daughter alone in the car.
She called both the police and her mother, asking them to come quickly. In the meantime, she drove around the area, hoping to spot someone who might be looking for the dog.
No one was there. The dog, later named Emilia, was clearly alone and frightened.
Emilia ran alongside Orr’s car, following her movements along the fence. When Orr rolled down the window, the dog cried and looked at her with heartbreaking eyes.
Not long after, Orr’s mom and the police arrived.
As soon as Emilia saw the officers, her tail started wagging with joy. She ran right over and jumped into Orr’s mom’s car.
“She came to us right away and was unbelievably excited! She was wagging her tail. She jumped right into my mom’s car. She was loving the treats my mom had brought and tried to stick her whole head in the box,” Orr told The Dodo.
It became clear that Emilia had been neglected. She was underweight and looked worn down.
Orr believed she was likely abandoned around sunset. Had she been left out in the cold much longer, her condition could have worsened.
A Temporary Home And A Loyal Heart
Orr’s mom brought Emilia home that night. At first, the pup was anxious and barked nonstop, making it difficult for anyone to sleep.
The next day, a new kennel helped her settle in. Emilia quickly showed she had great manners and a sweet temperament.
Every night, she’d climb into her kennel by herself and drift off to sleep.
As she got more comfortable, her personality began to shine. She played with toys and formed a surprising bond with the household cats.
One night, her loyalty took center stage.
Orr’s mom suddenly collapsed from intense abdominal pain. While waiting for medical help, she lay on the floor in agony.
Emilia immediately ran to her side and gently rested her head on her stomach, refusing to leave her caregiver alone.
“Prior to my mom’s surgery, while she [lay] on the floor in excruciating abdominal pain, Emilia laid by my mom’s side and gently rested her head on my mom’s stomach,” Orr shared.
Although Orr’s mom couldn’t adopt Emilia permanently, she was determined to help her find the loving home she deserved.
She contacted Friends of Parkville Shelter, who placed Emilia with a kind foster family.
Now, Emilia is thriving—but she’s still waiting for her forever home. After everything she’s been through, she more than deserves it.