It was a cold morning in Delaware when the staff at the Humane Association spotted something near the fence. As they got closer, they saw a small, shivering dog huddled against the fence. Her fur was thin, and her body was so skinny that it was clear she hadn’t eaten well in a long time.
The dog looked up at them with tired, hopeful eyes. She didn’t have the energy to bark or wag her tail. Instead, she just sat there, as if waiting for someone to notice her and help.
The staff gently approached her, speaking softly so she wouldn’t feel scared. One of them knelt down and reached out a hand. The dog flinched at first but soon realized they meant no harm. Slowly, she let them pick her up.
They carried her inside, wrapping her in a warm blanket to protect her from the cold. As they tended to her, they noticed something on her collar—a handwritten note.
It said:
“Please take care of Sky. She is 6 years old and friendly. I couldn’t take care of her — I became homeless and couldn’t feed her. She is not sick, just hungry, very friendly. Please find her a home. Please.”
The note broke everyone’s heart.
Sky had clearly been through a lot, but the moment she was inside, she began to wag her tail and lean into the humans for comfort. Despite her weak body, her spirit was still strong. She was happy just to be near people again.
“She was in good spirits all along,” Greg Munson, director of development and marketing for the rescue, said. “She was curious and was very happy to be inside. Her condition was so bad that being anywhere other than outside was a relief.”
That night, Sky finally slept on a soft bed with a full belly — something she hadn’t experienced in a long time. As the shelter staff watched her sleep peacefully, it was also a reminder that somewhere out there, her owner might still be sleeping on the street.
Unfortunately, the way he left her was against the law. If he had come inside and asked for help, the shelter could have supported him. Greg explained, “We have programs and grants to help families in crisis. If he had spoken to us, we could’ve helped both him and Sky.”
A few days later, something unexpected happened. Sky’s story was shared in the local news — and then the shelter got a call. It was her former owner.
He didn’t want anything for himself. He just wanted to make sure Sky was okay.
He explained that both he and his wife had lost their jobs and couldn’t take care of their big family, let alone a pet. But now, things were looking up. He had found work again. Still, he asked to stay anonymous — he just wanted to know she was safe and loved.
And she is.
Thanks to the kindness of strangers and the care of the shelter, Sky is now gaining weight and getting healthier every day. Soon, she’ll be ready for adoption. In the meantime, she’s soaking up all the love she can — cuddling with the staff, enjoying warm meals, and sleeping soundly every night.
Sky may have been abandoned, but she was never truly alone. Now, she’s on the path to a better life — one full of love, comfort, and a second chance.