I think there would be nothing more heartbreaking than if I was a shelter worker who had to euthanize a dog who was not getting a chance to find a forever home.
Such a thing would stay with me for a long time and I just don’t understand how some people are able to do it.
The only thing we wish for all dogs is to have a good home and a loving family, but the truth is that even the “goodest” of the good boys sometimes struggle with that.
When no option is left, some shelters think it’s more humane if dogs didn’t have to suffer in the shelter anymore, which is why euthanasia exists.
For this dog from California, the end seemed to be close, but everything changed at the last minute when someone came to his aid.
He Was Extremely Fortunate
It was an ordinary day for the rescuers working for a shelter in California when a man suddenly came and brought a dog to the shelter.
He was surrendering the pup and told the staff that he was a stray. They decided to do some examinations as usual, and they actually found a microchip that revealed something shocking.
The man who surrendered the dog was actually the owner and he just didn’t want his pup anymore, so he lied when he was surrendering him.
The pup, named Ricky, was not adapting well to the new life in the shelter. It was really crowded and that was causing him immense anxiety.
After a month in the shelter, Ricky was barely handling it and the staff decided to put him on the euthanasia list. If no one adopted him soon, then that’s basically it for him.
Courtney Tillia, owner of Minnie’s Mutts Rescue, in California, and realized that she had to do something to help him.
She told The Dodo: “I hadn’t met him in person, but volunteers and staff raved about him. I couldn’t stop thinking about him.”
Saved In The Last Moment
Tillia worked tirelessly to find an adopter for Ricky because his time was running out and she knew that he was under extreme stress in his kennel.
She continues by saying: “There are so many wonderful dogs at shelters who start to exhibit signs of severe anxiety and stress from being in that environment. I’ve noticed that it’s often the ones who are most sensitive to the shelter that turn out to be the most affectionate and loving once they’re free.”
The euthanasia day came and Tillia was still struggling to find anyone willing to take in Ricky. The next day, she called the shelter and found out that the pup wasn’t euthanized.
It was a miracle because Tillia immediately rushed to the shelter to pick him up. She was so happy and Ricky looked ecstatic that somebody finally showed interest in him.
Tillia continued searching for a new family for him, while her husband took him for walks. They both quickly recognized just how grateful he was to finally be outside.
He would end up getting sick for a little bit, but his foster parents immediately took him to a veterinary clinic and he was already healing fast.
While it’s uncertain how Ricky’s story continues, seeing just how happy he is rolling in the grass and playing really shows just how kindhearted and playful he is.
There is no doubt in my mind that he will find the most amazing human really soon.