Sometimes dogs are abandoned without warning, left to fend for themselves in unfamiliar places, vulnerable and confused.
In other cases, owners face heartbreaking circumstances. They try everything they can, but when all options are exhausted, they leave their dog behind as a final act of desperation.
This story follows one such moment: a dog left in an Arizona park with nothing but a note attached to him, waiting for someone to notice.
A Curious Pup With So Much Ahead
Baloo was only a year old when he was left behind. Still young and full of wonder, he had barely begun to explore the world around him.
Thankfully, a woman named Lillian Engelhard happened to be walking one of her own dogs through the park and spotted Baloo alone in a community dog run.
She wasn’t sure if someone was nearby, but something about the scene didn’t sit right. She felt compelled to stop and investigate.
She told The Dodo: I was out taking one of my dogs for a walk, and we passed a community dog run with a dog in it but no owners in sight.
I thought maybe they ran out of doggie bags and quickly ran to their car to get more, or maybe his owners really did have an emergency of some sort.
Engelhard decided to wait in her car, watching from a distance to see if anyone would return for the dog. Minutes passed, then more. No one came.
She began to suspect he had been left there intentionally. He looked thirsty, hungry, and kept pacing the fence line, clearly anxious and unsettled.
A Message That Said It All
Eventually, Engelhard approached the dog. As she got closer, Baloo’s demeanor changed. He lit up at the sight of her and walked toward her with enthusiasm.
That’s when she noticed a note attached to him.
The message read: It read, “This dog is not trained!!! *I had to leave him. Please save him (Venom).
Despite the warning, Baloo’s behavior was affectionate and trusting. It was clear he had once known love and had been comfortable around people.
Baloo had a lot of energy and needed help learning how to channel it. Engelhard took on the challenge and was amazed at how quickly he responded.
Within just a few days, he had learned basic commands like sit, lie down, and stay. He was also potty trained.
After fostering him, she enrolled him for adoption through Lost Our Home Pet Rescue.
While it’s unclear if he’s been adopted yet, one thing is certain: he’s safe, cared for, and continues to grow every day.
Had to share this sweet abandoned rare pupper that I found. I made a reel to help the shelter find a home for him
byu/doggddit inrarepuppers