That morning began like any other. Kristin Erwin, from Houston, Texas, was taking her son to a speech therapist, not expecting anything unusual to happen along the way.
Yet, her routine drive quickly turned into a remarkable moment when she noticed a small white blur in a roadside ditch. Without hesitation, she stopped the car to investigate.
She couldn’t ignore the sight of this helpless being; instinct told her she had to help.
A Sweet And Surprising Discovery
Kristin soon realized that the white blur hiding in the ditch was a dog, a beautiful Labrador Retriever.
The dog appeared frightened, so Kristin wisely kept her distance while gently coaxing her out. Her patience paid off as the dog eventually responded and came closer.
“She was really nervous,” Kristin told The Dodo. “She was very timid. You could tell she wanted attention. She wanted to be friendly — she was a friendly dog, for sure.”
Once the dog relaxed enough, Kristin guided her into the car and drove her home. She immediately tried to see if the dog belonged to someone, checking for a microchip and posting on local pages.
No one came forward. Kristin decided to offer a temporary home and named her Maddie.
Settling In A Foster Home
After arriving at her foster home, Maddie received a full checkup to ensure there were no serious injuries. Luckily, only a minor cut on her leg needed attention, which Kristin promptly had treated at the vet.
Initially nervous and withdrawn in the unfamiliar environment, Maddie gradually grew comfortable thanks to Kristin, her son, and their other pets, including dogs and a cat.
Soon, Maddie began showing her personality and developed a taste for life’s little joys.
“She loves toys, and she loves treats. I think all those positive things help a lot with her adjustment,” Kristin said.
Kristin quickly fell in love with Maddie but knew she could only serve as a temporary foster mom.
A Happy Ending In Sight
Since Maddie was the 38th foster dog in Kristin’s care that year, she could not keep her permanently.
Determined to ensure Maddie found a forever home, Kristin reached out to Paddy’s Paws, a rescue organization in Fort Atkins, Wisconsin.
The rescue agreed to take Maddie and work toward finding her a loving family.
There is little doubt that this sweet Labrador from the ditch will not stay there long. With so many people already interested, it is only a matter of time before Maddie finds the happy ending she truly deserves.