Family Loses Beloved Dog To Sudden Heart Attack And Finds Hope Waiting At A Shelter | The Animal Rescue Site
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My family and I were preparing to leave on vacation with our rescue dog, Kylie. We were heading to a dog-friendly campground for a week and were so excited, knowing she would have the best time swimming in the dog pool and hiking the trails with us.
Sam Martineau
While we were out picking up some last-minute items, Kylie suffered a heart attack and passed away. We were completely devastated. We couldn’t bear to stay in the house without her, surrounded by reminders of what we had just lost. So we decided to leave for our vacation a day early, planning to spend the extra night wherever we could find accommodations. It felt easier than facing our home without her.
My grief was so profound that I truly believed I would never feel okay again. The first day at the campground without Kylie was unbearable. Everywhere we looked were families enjoying the amenities with their dogs, and the emptiness we felt was overwhelming.
On the second day, we decided to visit a local animal shelter. We shared our story with the staff, and they invited us to look around and meet the dogs.
My daughter spotted a black female pit bull who immediately came to the front of her kennel and sat down, her tail wagging. We asked to take her to the meeting yard, a fenced area where dogs can interact with potential adopters.
We felt an instant connection. She stayed close to us, soaking up every hug and every gentle touch. The shelter workers were amazed. They told us this dog was usually very shy and nervous around strangers.
She was only about ten months old and was already in the shelter for the second time. The vet believed she had been pregnant at some point in her short life.
We knew we couldn’t go home without her.
The shelter staff were incredible and helped us complete everything needed to finalize the adoption before our vacation ended.
That following Saturday, we left with our new family member, once again a family of four.
Story submitted by Sam Martineau
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!
