On her way home, Kristin Erwin suddenly felt the urge to take a detour down a road she knew all too well — a notorious dumping spot for unwanted dogs. Something told her she needed to check.
Kristin, founder of Streethearts Project, a rescue based in Dayton, Texas, turned onto the deserted stretch, scanning for any signs of abandoned animals. That’s when she saw her — a lone puppy desperately chasing after a car, as if begging the driver to stop.
When the vehicle sped away without a glance, the pup spotted Kristin’s van and began trotting after it, tail wagging, full of hope.
A Pup Who Seemed To Know She Was Safe
Kristin pulled over and spoke gently to the little dog. The moment she heard her voice, the puppy’s demeanor lit up. It was as if she instinctively knew this stranger was here to help.
The pup, later named Shiloh, bounded over, tail swishing wildly, and leapt toward Kristin in pure joy.
“She was jumping all over me, greeting me. When she poked her head in my van, I just gently picked her up and put her in the crate. We heavily foster, so luckily I always have a crate in my vehicle,” Erwin told The Dodo.
Kristin quickly scanned the surrounding area to ensure no other puppies had been left behind. Once certain, she lifted Shiloh into her van, feeling like fate had placed her there at exactly the right time.
The young pup was skinny and her coat was crawling with fleas, but aside from that, she was in decent health.
Kristin guessed that Shiloh had been there for several days, chasing after cars in the hopes that one would finally stop for her.
A quick scan revealed no microchip. She had no tags, no collar, just a hopeful spirit and a need for kindness.
Settling Into Foster Life
Kristin brought Shiloh home to foster her until she could find an adopter. The pup wasted no time making herself at home, bonding instantly with the other foster dogs in the house.
Her playful personality soon shone through. Like any curious youngster, Shiloh loved exploring, investigating, and getting into harmless trouble.
“She doesn’t know her size and will try to fit her upper half in your lap. She’s a counter surfer, so gotta keep an eye on her. Overall she’s a really good, fun puppy,” Kristin shared.
In foster care, Shiloh is getting everything she needs: vaccinations, a microchip, and a spay surgery. Once ready, she’ll be available for adoption through Texas Bark Squad, a rescue serving Houston and East Texas.
Kristin is confident the sweet, affectionate pup will find her perfect match soon. And when she does, Shiloh will finally have the loving family she’s been chasing after her whole short life.