It goes without saying that 2020’s coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on people all over the world. Not only are there life-changing effects for those whose family may be dealing with the illness, but the knock on effect from the pandemic has caused thousands of people to lose their jobs.
When one person from Franklin, Indiana, lost their job due to the pandemic, they had to make the most heartbreaking decision – to let go of their dog.
Of course, if you’ve decided to let go of a pet, the most humane thing you can do is take them to a shelter, where you know at least that they will be safe. But through reasons unexplained, this person decided to abandon their dog right on the streets, with a little note to explain how loved she had been.
Source:
The Dodo
Thankfully, the German Shepherd mix named Roadie was found by a kind passer-by, who immediately noticed the message in a bottle which was tied around the dog’s neck.
Source:
The Dodo
The stranger called Michael Delp, the director of Johnson County Animal Control, who immediately headed out to rescue the dog. When he read through the note, he discovered that Roadie had initially come from a loving home, but sadly, her owner simply couldn’t provide for her anymore.
“When I read the note, [I felt] two emotions: one, if it is legit, my heart goes out to that individual,” Michael told The Dodo. “If it was not legit, [I felt] anger that someone would manufacture an excuse to abandon their dog that was designed to elicit sympathy.”
He continued by saying:
“As it turns out, from our investigation, the note was completely legit. We were able to ascertain who the owner was and get that individual the help that was desperately needed.”
Source:
The Dodo
But Roadie’s story was far from over. Thankfully the sweet dog was in perfect health, and it turned out that she was going to be rehomed much sooner than expected.
Jeremy Pell was the chief of the White River Township Fire Department and a reserve sheriff deputy. As soon as he came across Roadie’s heartbreaking story, he realized that the dog would be perfect to train up in search and rescue.
“I opened up the news and saw Roadie,” Jeremy told The Dodo. “I saw the breed and the story and the fact that she is literally in my backyard.”
Source:
The Dodo
Jeremy went straight to the shelter to evaluate Roadie and was pleased to see that she was easily passing her tests. He decided at that moment to adopt her, and despite Roadie needing a lot more training before she can start her work, she still goes into work every day with Jeremy so that she can have her training.
“She’s bonded to me,” Jeremy said. “She looks to me for guidance and acceptance and she tries to do her job. She thinks that she should bark at people she doesn’t know, but when I tell her that it’s OK … I get these soulful, caring eyes and it’s almost as if she’s apologizing. She will sit beautifully, look me in the eye, lay her ears down and very slowly lift her paw up to touch me.”
Source:
The Dodo
But Roadie isn’t just a working dog – she’s also a part of the family. And to make sure she fitted in, Jeremy decided to give her a new name: Rosie Grace.
“All our dogs have middle names, so she’s Rosie Grace,” Jeremy said, “because it’s by God’s grace that she was found and got a new career, and we’re hoping to take her from rescued to rescuer.”
We’re so happy that Rosie has got her second chance at life, and we think that she’s going to make the most brilliant police dog.
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By Emma Shallcross
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Emma Shallcross is a contributor at SBLY Media.