04/06/2026
When you surrender a dog, please be honest!!!!!
This girl has been in our care since January. When we went to fetch her, the story behind her surrender just didn’t add up. As I was taking her lead and preparing to leave with her, the owner casually mentioned, almost in a joking way, that she bites. At that point, I had basically already taken possession of the dog. It was only after she was loaded that they added that she isn’t really friendly towards strangers.
Those are not small details. Those are things that need to be disclosed before a rescue agrees to take a dog.
But when you’re trying to help, you often choose to see the best in people and give the dog a chance.
We did everything humanly possible to help this girl learn to trust people. It took three weeks before she would even allow me to touch her. We had volunteers come and spend time with her, but most interactions were extremely difficult. There was one lady she seemed to connect with, but unfortunately she wasn’t in a position to take her.
After months of trying, and after she bit another volunteer, we were faced with a heartbreaking reality. As much as I wanted to avoid it, we had to make the devastating decision to put her to sleep.
So please, the next time you surrender a dog, whether it’s a Yorkie, a power breed, or anything in between, be honest. If a dog has bitten people, has aggression issues, or has any behavioural concerns, tell the rescue upfront. You’re not helping the dog by withholding information. You’re putting the lives and safety of rescuers, volunteers, foster homes, adopters, and other animals at risk.
Right now, I am angry. I am heartbroken. And I am struggling with how unfair this feels.
This girl crept into my heart in a way I never expected. We fought for her. We gave her every chance we could. Losing her hurts more than I can put into words.
Sometimes rescue means making impossible decisions, and today is one of those days. 💔🐾
