When the team at Bloomfield Animal Shelter (BAS), the shelter in New Jersey, up one morning, they were shocked to find two elderly dogs waiting at the entrance.
The pups stared back at the rescuers with a lost and hopeless look in their eyes.
It was clear that their hearts were heavy after watching their owner walk away from them.
As staff hurried to comfort the devastated dogs, they noticed the pups had been tethered to the fence, and a note had been left behind.
A Painful Letter Left Behind
The staff members’ hearts broke into pieces as they read the words left by the dogs’ owner:
“Hi. I am sorry, but my babies deserve to live their golden years happy and in a good, warm home for the winter. I can’t take care of them while living on the street. Our home was foreclosed on, putting us out in the street.”
The desperate plea also begged the shelter not to put the dogs down and asked that the two stay together.
The note revealed that the pups were named Shadow and Tiger, brothers who had been born on October 12th, 2009.
Their owner described them as gentle with other animals and loving with people.
The staff felt crushed knowing they had no available space for the two seniors.
In a race against time, they posted on social media, searching for someone who could take Shadow and Tiger in.
Soon after, Scooby-Doo’s Rescue Mission (SDRM), based in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, stepped up to help and offered them a safe place.
Brothers Find Their Hope Again
Christine Biggiani Bakelaar, who runs the rescue, rushed to the shelter to pick up the senior siblings.
The moment she saw their pictures, and the sadness in their eyes, she knew she had to help.
When Bakelaar finally met Shadow and Tiger in person, the pups began to smile, almost as if they understood they were no longer going to be left behind.
Reading through the note once more, Bakelaar noticed something special. Shadow and Tiger shared her own birthday. To her, that was a sign that their paths were meant to cross.
She quickly found them a foster home on a farm where the brokenhearted brothers could settle in.
As soon as they arrived, the dogs were given the time they needed to relax and heal.
Settling Into Foster Care
Their foster family wrapped them in love and comfort, helping them realize they were truly safe now.
Shadow and Tiger eagerly accepted all the affection they were given.
The rescue in New Jersey also hopes to track down their former family to learn about the dogs’ medical history.
Bakelaar’s heart ached for the difficult situation their owner had faced.
She shared that she would love for the owner to reach out so they could know the dogs were doing well. Most of all, she wanted them to know that Shadow and Tiger would never be separated.
“If anyone on here sees this and knows the people, please have them reach out to me. No questions asked, other than I want to know more about them, and I truly [want to] let them know that their boys are OK. I promise never to separate them. I want them to visit them. Or at least allow me to send them updates…” the rescuer wrote in a Facebook comment.
The rescue team is still waiting to see if the former owner will get in touch.
If they don’t, Shadow and Tiger will eventually need to find a permanent home together.
For now, the senior brothers are thriving in foster care and enjoying their peaceful farm life.