Dogs thrive when they’re surrounded by the people they love the most. Their happiest moments come from simply spending time with their favorite humans—playing, cuddling, or just being nearby.
Thankfully, many pet parents understand this deep bond and shower their dogs with love and care. But sadly, not all dogs are lucky enough to have that kind of family.
Some end up in homes where their value is misunderstood, and eventually, they’re left behind—confused, hurt, and heartbroken. Today’s story is about a pup who faced just that.
Abandoned, Alone, And Confused
One morning, the staff at Priest River Animal Rescue (PRAR) in Idaho arrived to a distressing sight—a sweet Border Collie mix tied up outside their donation shed.
“Physically, he was healthy, but emotionally he was frightened and confused, which made him snarl and growl at us,” said Barbara Grover, president of the PRAR board of directors, in an interview.
The shelter team moved quickly to gain the scared pup’s trust. Once they did, they brought him inside and named him Buddy.
Contact with his former owner only brought more heartbreak—it became clear that they had intentionally given him up.
As part of standard procedure, Buddy was placed in isolation and is set to be neutered soon.
Despite the difficult start, the staff hopes Buddy won’t have to stay at the shelter for long. They’re already working on finding him a forever home—one that will finally treat him with the love and respect he deserves.
According to the team, Buddy would thrive in a home with an active lifestyle, where he can burn energy and be surrounded by warmth and care.
“He is an active, friendly dog who loves to play fetch and is good with children,” Grover shared.
A Message To The Public
While Buddy’s story is thankfully headed toward a happier ending, the shelter took this opportunity to remind the public of something important: abandoning an animal like this is not okay.
“In instances like this, where a proper surrender process is not followed, it not only creates chaos and risk, but also demonstrates a disregard for the safety and well-being of the animal in question. As a small facility with limited resources, such irresponsible actions can have a significant impact,” Grover explained.
Please remember—your dog sees you not just as their companion, but as their entire world. Dropping them off without explanation leaves emotional scars that can take a long time to heal.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you can no longer care for your pet, do the right thing: bring them to a local shelter and complete a proper surrender process. Give them a real shot at finding a new beginning.