In a Meijer parking lot in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a small black-and-white dog was seen nervously darting between cars and shopping carts. Alone and visibly frightened, she caught the attention of a group of shoppers who immediately began working together to gain her trust.
After some time, they finally managed to secure her—and that’s when they discovered the reason for her distress.
Around her collar was a piece of rope, tied to a small bag that contained a note. The message was simple: “My name is Rukey. Please help me, take me home.”
Realizing Rukey had been abandoned, the group of good Samaritans quickly brought her to the Kent County Animal Shelter.
“We see a lot of abandoned animals, but it’s not every day we get one with a note,” Angela Hollinshead, director of the shelter, shared with The Dodo. “This is the first time we’ve received a dog in such a way.”
The shelter believes Rukey is a young Schipperke mix, and while she was initially shy and hesitant around strangers, it didn’t take long for the staff to see her true, loving nature.
“She’s a tiny little dog, but she’s incredibly sweet,” Hollinshead said. “Once she trusts you, she’s very affectionate.”
The shelter shared Rukey’s story on Facebook, offering a message to her former owner that was full of empathy.
“To the person who had to make the heart-wrenching decision to let her go—please know that Rukey is safe and surrounded by love here,” the shelter wrote. “Her sweet demeanor has already won us over, and we will make sure she finds a loving home. We can only imagine how difficult this was for you, and we wish you better days ahead.”
They added, “As a reminder, please be kind to yourself and others. We may not always know what struggles someone is going through.”
Rukey was spayed and given a clean bill of health, which meant she was ready to find her forever home. Not long after the shelter opened, a family walked in, instantly falling in love with the shy pup.
It was clear to them that it was meant to be.
Though Rukey’s time at the shelter was brief, she left a lasting mark on everyone who met her. Now, she’s off to her new home, where she will bring joy to her new family.
The shelter ended the post with a heartfelt reminder: “Please remember to choose kindness.”