There are many reasons why people abandon an animal, but one common one is not having the resources to care for the animal. Even if someone loves their pet, sometimes, they fall on hard times and simply can’t give them the care they need.
This is what happened with a man experiencing homelessness in Louisana.
When the man got stuck in Louisiana with no transportation, he did the only thing he could think to do: he left her in a public bathroom with a note asking people to help the dog.
When Louisiana animal control officers received a call about the elderly black lab who had been abandoned in the restrooms of Destrehan’s Splash Park, they immediately rushed to the scene.
The dog had been reported as possibly pregnant – but upon arrival, officers realized that she had simply eaten one too many pieces of chicken. They also discovered that the abandonment had not been an act of cruelty – but instead as a desperate, last resort from a loving family.
The dog, named Ladybird, had been left with a water bottle and a note, which read:
“Be nice 2 dog – got stuck no car – be back soon – give my dog some water – be back in morning.”
The team instantly took the dog to St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter, where she would be safe until her owners eventually came to collect her.
The next day, when Ladybird’s owner biked back to the restrooms and discovered that his beloved dog was no longer there, he reached out to the shelter to share his side of the story.
“He called us and said he still wants Ladybird, but just needs a few weeks to get back on his feet,” Dr. Jena Troxler, veterinarian and animal shelter supervisor told iheartdogs. “Ladybird and [her human] are homeless, and he has been living in [a shelter] trying to save his money so he and Ladybird can drive back to North Carolina where he has family willing to help him get back on his feet.”
Ladybird had first met her owner when she was only six weeks old, and the pair had been inseparable ever since.
Despite the man’s money issues, he always made sure that Ladybird had enough to eat and drink – and when he needed an extra hand, his family in North Carolina were always on hand to help.
However, this time he had not been able to get together enough money to take the trip from Louisiana to visit them.
“You can truly tell how much Ladybird means to him and we are happy to be a part of keeping her safe until they can be together again,” Jena said. “She has definitely been a staff favorite here at the shelter. Ladybird’s had quite the adventure recently.”
Ladybird’s dad was desperate to bring his old dog to North Carolina, where she could live out her elderly years comfortably in a safe and loving home.
Touched by the pair’s story, the shelter got in touch with Turning Rescues into Pets, who managed to raise enough money to buy a kennel, orthopedic bed, kennel mat, and additional medical needs for Ladybird.
Then another company, Wings of Rescue, transported the senior dog to her familiar home.
Virginia Beach SPCA had been posting on social media since Ladybird was first rescued, and lots of people were interested in how the story had ended. The shelter shared the following happy update with us all:
“Ladybird is doing wonderfully with her family in North Carolina! We had quite a few questions about her human in Louisiana, and we want everyone to know that he is doing well and is so happy that Ladybird is home. Ladybird’s journey to North Carolina was his plan and it was what he wanted for her, and we are happy we could help make that happen.
He chose to stay in Louisiana and will join her as soon as he is ready! Thank you for your support and for helping all animals find homes.”
We’re so glad Ladybird and her human are both safe and in a loving place. It’s amazing to see how much Ladybird’s owner loves her and cared for her even when he was down on his luck.
Check out a video about Ladybird’s rescue below!
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