When Breanna Gilliam arrived at the Yadkin County Animal Shelter early one morning, she thought it would be a regular start to her day.
As she walked toward the building, something caught her eye near the sign at the end of the driveway. At first, she ignored it since the light was dim and it was still early.
Then she heard barking. Gilliam looked closer, and her heart stopped as she realized what was going on.
A Frightening Discovery
Gilliam rushed forward and was devastated by what she saw.
“When I walked out there, the poor girl was tied to our sign. She was very scared to start with and wouldn’t come to me,” Gilliam told The Dodo.
The dog, later named Millie, had been tethered to a sign that carried a clear warning: “Abandoning an animal is cruel and illegal. Please do not leave animals unattended at this location at any time.”
The person who left Millie had chosen to ignore those very words, leaving the young pup alone in the dark, frightened and confused.
Slowly Gaining Her Trust
Gilliam refused to give up on Millie. She patiently stayed nearby until the scared dog realized she could trust her. With time and kindness, Gilliam was able to bring her safely inside the shelter.
It didn’t take long to notice something surprising. Despite being abandoned, Millie was in wonderful condition. She was calm, clean, and clearly had been cared for before being left behind.
“She definitely appeared to be an indoor dog by the looks of it. Very potty trained and calm and had such a sweet and submissive demeanor,” Gilliam said.
A New Beginning
Because Millie was healthy and gentle, the shelter staff knew she would not be waiting long for a home. They posted her story on social media, hoping it would reach the right person.
Their efforts paid off. Millie quickly captured the heart of a woman named Kathy Culler.
“I had seen their Facebook post about her being abandoned and left tied to their sign, and it literally brought me to tears. Something about her face and her eyes really reached into my soul. I immediately reached out to them about adopting her,” Culler said.
Culler had recently lost her beloved rescue dog, and when she saw Millie’s face, she knew it was time to welcome love into her life again.
A meet and greet was arranged, and from the moment Culler and Millie saw one another, it was obvious they were meant to be. Millie’s long wait was finally over.
“As soon as we got in the car, she made her way into my lap for the ride home, and as we passed the sign that she had been tied to, I promised her she would never be abandoned again,” Culler said.
Finally Home Where She Belongs
Today, Millie is thriving in her new home. She has humans who adore her and furry siblings to play with. Her days are now filled with comfort, love, and endless cuddles.
Could life be any sweeter?“I can’t understand why anyone would abandon her. Someone else’s loss was definitely our gain,” Culler concluded.