“I am very friendly and kind …”
In Bridgend, South Wales, a small and frightened dog hid in the undergrowth, lost after being separated from his family. Fortunately, three cyclists spotted the brown and white flashes of fur and quickly changed course to help the pup, bringing him to Hope Rescue.
Rescuers found that the dog was wearing a collar with a handwritten note inside a plastic bag. Sadly, cases of abandonment are becoming more frequent for Hope Rescue, though finding a note along with the dog is still rare.
“Chase arrived during the busiest month in our 19-year history, with 157 dogs coming through our doors in August alone,” said Sara Rosser, head of operations for Hope Rescue. “Seeing him so scared was heartbreaking. While we understand that some owners may find themselves in desperate situations, leaving Chase like that put him at risk. We were just so thankful he was found when he was.”
Once the note was removed from the plastic covering, it read: “My name is Chase. I am 1 year old on November 10. I am very friendly and kind, good with kids. I need a new home as my owner cannot take care of me. Please help me. Thank you.”
Despite being placed in a “safe space” at the shelter where he could unwind, Chase remained terrified and withdrawn. He refused to interact with the staff, barely ate, and stayed frozen in his spot.
“The team worked hard to earn his trust, and they introduced him to a couple of gentle dog friends, which really seemed to help,” Rosser explained. “We had a wonderful foster home ready to take him in, and since moving there, he’s truly started to show his personality. The foster family also has two confident dogs, and Chase is learning from them, enjoying activities like paddling in the water and cuddling with them at night.”
Chase’s confidence grows each day as he settles into a new routine with his foster family. “Chase’s future is looking bright,” Rosser added. “We’re thrilled that after the trauma of being abandoned, he has found a family who understands him and can help him flourish into the happy dog he deserves to be.” And as he opens up more, his foster family believes Chase may have already found his forever home.