People abandon their pets for all different kinds of reasons, and every so often, there’s a chance that the person really did have no other choice. For a homeless man in Louisiana, leaving his beloved dog was the last thing he wanted to do- but sadly, circumstances meant that he had no other option.
Luckily, the dog was rescued and taken to some local shelters where she would be safe.
Initially, the man planned to return to his dog the next day, and he left her in a public bathroom with a note asking people to give her water. But when things proved trickier than he first expected, the shelter really pulled out the stops to get the dog back with the family who loved her so much.
When Louisiana animal control officers received a call about an 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 happy that Ladybird is now in a safe and loving place where she deserves to be. Watch her rescue video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
