The dog had a rope around her collar, holding a small bag with a note inside. The note said: “My name is Rukey. Please help me, take me home.”
The group of kind shoppers realized that Rukey had been left behind by someone. They quickly took her to the Kent County Animal Shelter, where she could get care and safety.
Angela Hollinshead, the director of Kent County Animal Shelter, said, 'We get a lot of abandoned pets, but we don’t generally see them with a note.' She explained that this was the first time a dog had been left in a public place with a message like this asking for help.
The shelter thinks Rukey is a young Schipperke mix. She needs some time to feel comfortable with new people, but the staff knows she is a kind and loyal dog.
“She’s a small and very sweet dog,” said Hollinshead. “When she arrived at the shelter, I got to spend some time with her. She’s shy at first, but once she trusts you, she’s very loving.”
The shelter posted Rukey’s story on Facebook, but not just to find her a home. They also shared a touching message to whoever had to leave her behind.
"To the person who made the heartbreaking decision to let her go — please know Rukey is safe and deeply loved," they wrote. "Her gentle personality has already won our hearts, and we’ll make sure she finds a wonderful, loving family. We can only imagine how hard this was for you. We hope better days are ahead."
They ended the post with a gentle reminder: "Please be kind to yourself and others. We never know the battles someone is silently facing,”
After Rukey arrived at the shelter, she was given the care she needed. She was spayed and found to be healthy, which meant she was ready to find her forever home.
The very next morning, a family walked into the shelter and noticed the shy little dog. The moment they saw her, they felt a special connection. They knew right away that Rukey was meant to be a part of their family. It was the start of a happy new chapter for her.
Rukey’s time at the shelter was short, but she left beautiful memories for everyone she met. And now, she’s off to her forever home, bringing joy to a family who already adores her.