Dogs are sometimes left behind without a moment’s notice, abandoned in places they do not recognize, frightened and exposed to whatever comes next.
Other times, the people who leave them are facing their own breaking point. They exhaust every option they have, and when nothing works, they walk away from their dog in an act rooted in desperation rather than cruelty.
This is the story of one such moment, a young dog left alone in an Arizona park with only a note attached to his collar, waiting for a stranger to stop.
A Young Dog Still Learning The World
Baloo was just one year old when he was left there. Curious, energetic, and still figuring out life, he had barely scratched the surface of the world around him.
By chance, a woman named Lillian Engelhard was walking one of her own dogs through the park when she noticed Baloo standing alone inside a community dog run.
At first, she wondered if someone nearby might be watching. Still, the situation felt off, and she could not bring herself to walk away without looking closer.
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 chose to wait in her car, keeping an eye on Baloo from a distance in case someone returned. Time passed slowly. No one showed up.
That was when the reality began to sink in. Baloo paced back and forth along the fence, visibly uneasy. He looked thirsty, hungry, and increasingly distressed.
A Note That Explained Everything
After a while, Engelhard approached him. As soon as Baloo noticed her, his anxiety melted away. He perked up, walked toward her, and greeted her with open excitement.
That was when she spotted the note attached to him.
It read, “This dog is not trained!!! *I had to leave him. Please save him (Venom).”
Despite the message, Baloo showed nothing but warmth and trust. His friendly nature made it clear he had once been loved and felt safe around people.
He had plenty of energy and needed guidance to focus it in the right direction. Engelhard stepped in, and the results surprised her.
In just a few days, Baloo picked up basic commands like sit, lie down, and stay. He also learned to go to the bathroom outside.
After fostering him, Engelhard listed Baloo for adoption through Lost Our Home Pet Rescue.
Whether he has found his forever family yet is unknown, but what is certain is that Baloo is safe, supported, and continuing to grow with every passing day.