Pitiful Pittie Weeps As Family Abandons Her At Shelter

The response for adoption was overwhelming.

Damjan

• Published in Animal Stories
• April 20, 2024

Every day, heartbreaking stories of animal neglect and abuse surface from different corners of the world. These tales tell of creatures betrayed and abandoned by those they trusted, left in shelters in the hope of finding a new, loving home.

It's a common story in places dedicated to the welfare of animals, a sad but true aspect of our society's relationship with its non-human members. Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control (CMACC) in North Carolina is one such refuge that witnesses these stories unfold daily.

Among the volunteers there, Sarah Sleime gives her time generously, helping animals in need find hope and, more importantly, a new family. Her experience at the shelter has made her familiar with the sad eyes and quiet pleas of animals left behind.

However, one dog, in particular, caught her attention and tugged at her heartstrings—a Pit Bull named Cinnamon. Sarah recalls her regular walks down the shelter's kennels, where she first noticed Cinnamon's sorrowful presence.

"She was very human-like—slumped over and very solemn," Sarah described. The dog’s demeanor was unusual, her eyes seemingly filled with tears whenever Sarah approached.

This emotional display was not something Sarah could easily forget, and she felt compelled to learn more about Cinnamon's backstory. It turned out that Cinnamon, approximately seven years old, had likely been used as a breeding dog before being abandoned at the shelter without her puppies.

"Someone left this poor mother at the shelter without her puppies," Sarah shared in a distressing Facebook post. "Whenever I spoke to her and expressed my regret, her eyes would fill up with tears. Heart-wrenching!!"

Moved by Cinnamon’s plight, Sarah decided to take action by creating and sharing a video of Cinnamon on social media to raise awareness and hopefully find her a forever home. The response was overwhelming.

The video quickly went viral, attracting attention and sympathy from countless viewers, many of whom expressed a desire to adopt Cinnamon. Among the respondents was Jennifer McKay, who was deeply touched by the video.

"When I saw her in that video, literally crying in a cage, I cried. My kids cried. I showed my husband, and he said we could go look at her tomorrow," Jennifer recounted.

The meeting between Jennifer and Cinnamon was emotional, with Cinnamon’s tail wagging non-stop, a stark contrast to her previously subdued state. The final step was ensuring Cinnamon could get along with the McKay family’s other dog, a three-year-old Pit Bull named Blu.

Fortunately, Cinnamon, whom the McKays renamed Rosie, and Blu quickly bonded. Rosie found not just a home but a family where she was wanted and loved, and the McKays gained a new, joyful member of their pack.

Cinnamon.

Roughly seven years old, was likely used for breeding by her previous owners.

A Pit Bull seemed to tear up whenever Sarah walked by.

“She was very humanlike — slumped over and very solemn.”

Jennifer McKay and her family with a Cinnamon.

Cinnamon, now renamed Rosie.

"Look at that wagging happy tail!!! "

Rosie's story shows us how just one person doing something kind can make a big difference. It teaches us that each of us has the power to make things better around us.

When people like Sarah and the McKay family step up to help, they don't just change the life of an animal like Rosie; they make our community a nicer place to live.

This story encourages all of us to get involved and do our part. It could be helping out at an animal shelter, adopting a pet, or just telling others about the importance of taking care of animals. Every little bit helps.

Damjan