Trust is a powerful value — something that forms the foundation of meaningful relationships. It’s what makes bonds last.
Sadly, not everyone extends this virtue to animals. Far too often, loyal dogs who give humans their complete trust are left behind, discarded like they never mattered.
When that trust is broken, it can leave deep emotional scars, making it hard for them to trust again.
This is the story of one such dog: a gentle soul named Nova, who was cruelly abandoned inside a kennel on the side of a highway.
A Truly Heartbreaking Sight
Nova is a truly special pup. Despite her rough beginning, she held onto hope for a better life. But that hope was crushed when her owner left her in a kennel with a handwritten ‘free’ sign—right on the shoulder of a busy highway.
It’s hard to imagine how someone could do such a thing. To make it worse, her kennel was placed in a dangerous, high-traffic area.
Thankfully, one kind-hearted passerby couldn’t ignore what they saw. Moved by Nova’s situation, they quickly shared her story online, hoping that someone would come to her rescue.
That someone turned out to be Madison Nygard, a dedicated volunteer with Pawfect Match Rescue in North Carolina.
She explained to People: “I was on my way. I had seen it a couple of minutes after it had posted it. I got to Nova before the post hit the hour mark.”
When she reached the spot, she was heartbroken to see the poor dog sitting beside the kennel with that painful ‘free’ sign. She couldn’t understand how anyone could abandon such a sweet dog like that.
A New Beginning For Nova
After briefly consulting with animal control officers at the scene, Nygard made up her mind—she was going to take Nova with her.
She brought the dog to a veterinary clinic for a full checkup, just to ensure she was healthy and didn’t require any urgent treatment.
“I knew that at least if I brought her into the house, she would have food in her belly, and I could physically monitor,” she said.
Now safe and sound in Nygard’s foster home, Nova could finally breathe easy. And from that moment on, she embraced every bit of love and kindness with a grateful heart.
She quickly bonded with everyone in the house, and Nygard was amazed to see how well she adjusted despite everything she had endured.
Although Nova adored her foster family, Nygard knew she needed to find her a forever home. Thankfully, a few potential adopters soon stepped forward.
The adoption process will take a little time, but until then, Nova gets to enjoy a life filled with warmth, treats, toys, and most importantly—a family that cares.