After years spent volunteering in shelters and writing about dogs, I have heard more reasons for giving one up than I ever wished to hear. Somehow, the lack of care behind those decisions still catches me off guard.
Sadie was abandoned because of a broken backyard fence.
That was the entire reason. Rather than repair the fence and keep their dog safe, her owners decided she was the problem they no longer wanted to handle.
Too many people welcome animals into their homes without understanding the responsibility that comes with them. The moment care becomes inconvenient, a living companion can suddenly be treated as though she is disposable.
Sadie deserved far better, and thanks to people who truly cared about her, she was given the happy ending she should have had all along.
Sadie’s Story: A Heartbreaking Surrender
Sadie, a two-year-old dog, ended up in a shelter after her owners decided they no longer wanted to care for her.
“Sadie’s owners didn’t want to fix their backyard fence, so Sadie kept escaping. Instead of wanting to fix the problem, they chose to surrender her,” Madeline Bracken, a volunteer at Glenn Heights Animal Shelter in Texas, said in an interview.
After living with her family for nearly two years, Sadie was simply given up because her owners didn’t want to repair the fence so their small dog wouldn’t escape.
Her owners claimed that Sadie was an Alaskan Husky and Border Collie mix, but the shelter staff believes she might actually be a Husky and Corgi mix, given her small size.
When it comes to Huskies, they are known escape artists. They love to jump or dig under fences to get out. While this can be challenging for owners, it’s something that should be expected and managed.
Monica Salmeron, the shelter’s animal control officer, even suggested some simple and inexpensive ways to repair the fence, but the owners refused.
Sadie was heartbroken, scared, and struggling to adjust to life in the shelter.
“Sadie doesn’t want to be here. It’s loud from all the barking, and she’s alone 90 percent of the time. You can really tell she’s just a family dog,” Bracken explained.
Sadie is a gentle and affectionate dog who loves to cuddle. This experience was very difficult for her. She simply wanted a family that would love her as much as she loves everyone else.
While many people expressed interest in adopting her, none followed through.
The Breakthrough Moment
After learning about Sadie’s heartbreaking situation, Bracken decided to take action. She made a video showcasing this sweet little dog who was waiting for her forever family.
The video quickly gained attention and gave Sadie a newfound chance of finding the right person.
“She is a cuddle bug who is easy to walk on a leash. She loves people and gets along well with other dogs. She is even house-trained. Sadie is fixed and ready to go,” Bracken shared in the video.
Bracken also mentioned that Sadie had undergone temperament testing and passed with flying colors.
“She cuddles on your lap, even though she’s on the larger side for a small dog, and loves following people around the shelter when given the chance to get out,” Bracken added.
Sadie’s miracle was on its way.
Sadie’s New Beginning
After the video was posted online, the Glenn Heights Animal Shelter received over 81 calls inquiring about Sadie.
By the end of the day, Sadie was already in her new forever home.
This time, Sadie’s story will have a happy ending. We can only hope that she will never have to face abandonment again and that her new family will help her heal.