In January, a family in Darlington County arrived at the Darlington County Humane Society with a gray-and-white pit bull wearing a teal collar.
The dog had shown up in their yard earlier that morning — but she hadn’t come alone. Tucked beside her was a handwritten note from the person who had left her behind.
The message immediately broke the hearts of the shelter staff.
The Letter Left Behind
According to shelter staff member Danielle Cahn, the shelter rarely receives abandoned pets with letters from their previous owners.
But this time, someone had left a message introducing the dog, whose name was Queeni.
In the note, the former owner described her as a loving companion who enjoyed playing with a plastic bone, spending time outside in the yard and even watching TV beside her family.
The note ended with a plea asking whoever found her to please take good care of her.
A Frightened First Day
When Queeni arrived at the shelter, it was clear she was overwhelmed.
During her intake, she trembled with fear. Once placed in her kennel, she crouched quietly on her bed, unsure of the unfamiliar environment around her.
The shelter team couldn’t explain to Queeni why her life had suddenly changed — but they were determined to help her feel safe again.
They spent time with her every day, offering patience, gentle attention and plenty of reassurance.
Slowly Learning to Trust
Over time, something wonderful happened.
Queeni slowly began to relax. She started coming to the front of her kennel to greet visitors and happily accepted treats from the staff.
As her confidence grew, she was eventually introduced to other dogs in a playgroup — something that once would have seemed impossible for the shy pup.
Now she’s making new friends and becoming more comfortable every day.
Waiting for the Right Home
Queeni still faces one challenge: she tested positive for heartworms, which means she requires medical treatment and additional care.
Because of this, the shelter is currently searching for either:
- A forever home, or
- A medical foster family who can care for her while she completes treatment.
Despite everything she’s been through, Queeni has proven exactly what the note said about her.
She is a sweet, gentle dog who simply needs a loving place to call home — and the team at the shelter believes that family is out there waiting for her. 🐶