This Dog Was Almost Returned To The Shelter, But Then A Heartfelt Note Changed Everything
A man named Anthony was looking for a new best friend, so he did the responsible thing and adopted a dog from a shelter. The dog's name was Reggie, and at first, Anthony thought that he was happy with his decision, but when he brought Reggie home, he had some doubts about being Reggie's owner. He didn't think that he and the dog were a good fit.
Anthony decided to bring Reggie back to the shelter, but before he could, he found a note from the dog's previous owner that changed everything.
Alone In A New Town
Before he adopted Reggie, Anthony had just moved to a new town for college. He had spent six months going from class to class. He met some interesting people, but he was missing his friends back home. He decided to adopt a dog to keep him company in his lonely dorm room.
Anthony saw that a local shelter had just put a black lab named Reggie up for adoption. Anthony jumped at the opportunity and headed to the shelter the next day.
Reggie Had Other Suitors
Anthony called the shelter about potentially adopting Reggie and he was surprised to learn that Reggie was in high demand. Several other interested humans had reached out to the shelter already, inquiring about Reggie, but the shelter didn't think any of those homes were a good fit.
Anthony was pretty confident that Reggie was the dog for him. Reggie's previous owner had dropped their dog off at the shelter with some toys, food, a dog bed, and a strange letter.
Bringing Reggie (And His Baggage) Home
The shelter determined that Anthony and Reggie were a good fit, so Anthony got to bring Reggie home. They say the first day with a new pet can be difficult. Both the pet and the owner have some adjusting to do. Anthony felt like something was wrong, though. Reggie was so scared that he literally had to carry him through his front door.
They weren't off to a great start. Anthony gathered that something pretty traumatic had probably happened to Reggie in the past.
A Rough Two Weeks
Anthony thought that Reggie would adjust to his new home after a few days, but two weeks had gone by and nothing was improving. Anthony started to think that maybe he wasn't the best pet parent for Reggie. He thought that another family might do a better job of making Reggie feel safe and comfortable.
"When the two weeks were up, I felt it was time and that I had to take him back. I knew the number for the shelter would be amongst his old stuff, and I remembered leaving it there in one of the boxes in the guest room," he said.
Anthony Read The Letter
Anthony started digging through Reggie's box of things looking for the shelter's phone number when he came across a letter from Reggie's previous owner. Anthony didn't even know that the letter was in the box.
Reggie watched as Anthony rummaged through the box and opened the white envelope that contained the letter. For the first time in a while, Reggie actually seemed to be attentive and excited. It was as though his old belongings made him feel more at home.
What The Letter Said
Anthony opened the white envelope and started reading the letter inside. The letter said, "To whoever gets my dog: Well, I can't say that I’m happy you’re reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie’s new owner," the previous owner wrote.
"I’m not even happy writing it. If you’re reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter.”
Some Answers For Anthony
Anthony was shocked, but he kept reading the letter. It went on to say, "He knew something was different. I have packed up his bed and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time, it's like he could sense that something was wrong.
It’s sad for me, but that is why I have decided to write this letter. So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.”
Why Was He Put Up For Adoption?
Anthony was starting to get really confused. Why would this person, who clearly loved their dog, turn their dog into a shelter? The letter kept going: "First, he loves tennis balls, and he loves to hoard them. He usually always had two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there.
It doesn't matter where you throw them; he’ll jump right after, so be careful- really don’t do it by any roads. I nearly made that mistake once. Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I’ll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones- sit, stay, come, heel.”
Some More Information About Reggie
Anthony was happy to learn that Reggie did know some basic commands. This would make communicating with him way easier. The letter went on, "He knows hand signals: 'back' to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and ‘over’ if you put your hand out right or left," he wrote.
"‘Shake’ for shaking the water off and ‘paw’ for a high- five. He does ‘down’ when he feels like lying down…He knows ball and food and bone and treats like nobody’s business. I trained Reggie with small food treats.”
Vet Visits Won't Be Easy
The previous owner clearly loved Reggie and wanted him to have the best chance with his new owner. The letter continued, "Be forewarned: Reggie doesn't like the vet. Good luck getting him in the car – I don’t know exactly how he knows when it’s time for him to go to the vet, but he can somehow sense it.”
It's amazing how dogs can sense exactly when they're being taken to the vet and when they're being taken to the park.
He Needs Some Love And Attention
He also reminds Anthony that Reggie is a dog, and needs ample attention. "Finally, be patient with him. I have never been married, so it's only been me in his whole life. He’s used to going everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can," he wrote.
“He loves to be around people, especially me. Which means this transition is going to be hard with him going to live with someone new.”
Reggie Isn't Actually His Name
Then something strange happened. The writer told Anthony that Reggie's name isn't actually Reggie! "I don't know what made me do it exactly, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I just told them his name was Reggie," he wrote.
“He’s a clever dog; he’ll get used to it and will respond eventually. But I couldn’t bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it would feel so final and binding, that handing him over was admitting that I’d never see him again.”
An Emotional Moment
We're not crying, you're crying. Anthony was also probably crying because this letter could not have been easy to write. "If someone else might be reading it, well, it means that his new owner ought to know his real name. It'll help you bond with him, and him with you," he wrote.
“Who knows, maybe you’ll even notice a change in him if he’s been difficult. And that’s why I need to share one more thing with you…”
Why Reggie Ended Up In The Shelter
Then Reggie's real name is revealed. "His real name is Tank because that's what I drive. I told the shelter that they couldn’t put 'Reggie’ up for adoption until they received word from my commander," he wrote.
"There was no one I could’ve left Tank with. It was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq that they make one phone call to shelter in the ‘event of…’ To tell them Tank could be put for adoption.”
A Letter To A Dog
There is no way that was an easy choice for the previous owner. As Anthony kept reading, it was clear why he had to put Tank in the shelter. "Well, this letter is getting depressing, even though, I am just writing it for my dog," he wrote.
“But dogs can be like family and he has been with me for the past six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.” Excuse us while we find a dog to hug.
Tank Helped His Owner Through Tough Times
The previous owner and Tank are the textbook definition of Man's Best Friend."That unconditional love from a dog is what I will take with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things," he wrote.
“If I had to give up Tank to do it, I'm glad to have done so. He was my example of service and love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.”
Paul Mallory's Heroic Sacrifice
Last but not least, the writer thanked Anthony for adopting Tank. "I don't think I can bear another goodbye to Tank, though. I cried so much the first time; maybe I’ll peek in on him and see if he finally managed to get that third tennis ball in his mouth," he wrote.
“All the best of luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight- every night- from me. Thank you, Paul Mallory.”
Tank's True Story
Paul Mallory was a name Anthony would always remember, and one he had heard around town before adopting Tank. Sadly, the young man died during his deployment to Iraq on a mission to save three fellow soldiers.
Paul received the Silver Star posthumously for his heroics. That knowledge was all it took to have Anthony break down into tears and stare at his unlikely companion. Now he knew why Tank seemed so sad all the time.
Tank Had A Loving Home
At that moment, there were two words Anthony knew he had to say, "Hey, Tank." That was all it took for the lab to perk up and actually notice his new owner. He even went as far as to run over to Anthony, letting him give him a hug and pet his head.
Tank finally seemed at ease with his new owner. He even let Anthony throw the ball to him. Things were looking up!
Anthony Decide To Work Things Out With Tank
After the letter, things just fell into place for Anthony and Tank. Obviously, after learning what happened to Tank's previous owner, he wasn't going to bring him back to the shelter. They were going to figure this out, together. That is what Paul would have wanted, after all.
"I can only hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adapt and come to love you the same way he loved me." Rest assured, Paul, Tank is in loving hands.
Another Story About A Dog In Need Of A Home
This sweet boy's name is Emerson. He and his siblings were less than six weeks old when they were abandoned on the side of the road in northwestern Florida. Thankfully, a good Samaritan found them and brought them to the North Florida Rescue.
NFR saves many animals from high kill shelters. Their dedicated team of volunteers fosters and cares for the animals until they can find forever homes. But for Emerson, finding a forever home wasn't easy.
Nobody Wanted This Deaf Puppy
Shortly after being taken in, Emerson and his siblings were transferred to NFR in Maine. At eight weeks old, there was hope that the black Labrador puppies would fare well at NFR Maine but that simply wasn't the case – at least when it came to Emerson.
Emerson turned out to be the runt in comparison to his siblings. He also had a deformity in his leg that labeled him a "special needs" dog.
He Had Neurological Issues
Emerson's front left leg turned out to be the least of his problems. It wasn’t long before the young puppy began experiencing regular seizures. "We have him at the emergency vet and are doing whatever we can to help him. He is currently receiving fluids and we will be having a series of [tests] run on him," NFR Maine shared on Facebook.
Emerson’s emergency vet bills at that point were as much as $850 and counting.
Poor Emerson Was Left Behind
The cause of Emerson's seizures remained a mystery and to make matters worse, the pup wasn’t eating or drinking. Despite the fact that the seizures began subsiding the next day, Emerson had to stay in the hospital to remain on fluids.
Meanwhile, his siblings generated interest among potential forever homes. Emerson saw himself get left behind as a result of his health problems, which only continued to get worse for him.
A Virus Almost Killed Him
Seizures weren't the only issue Emerson encountered in his short life. Not long after they started going away, the puppy developed a case of Parvo.
Otherwise known as Canine Parvovirus, the highly contagious disease is spread by contact with infected dogs and contaminated surfaces. It affects a dog’s gastrointestinal tracts and can cause death within three days. Unvaccinated dogs and those under four months old are particularly at risk. Emerson was less than ten weeks old at this point.
His Prognosis Wasn't Good
While all of Emerson's siblings were adopted right after arriving at NFR Maine, he was "struggling to survive." In fact, the volunteers at NFR Maine were already preparing for the worst possible scenario.
“With all that this poor boy has been [through] already in his short life, his body is already weak and we have to brace ourselves that he may not make it. That is a cold reality of rescue, we lose some,” they wrote.
Not Quite A Full Recovery
The volunteers at NFR Maine did everything they could to give Emerson a fair, fighting chance at a good life. Soon, by some miracle, Emerson began healing from his seizures and his Parvo diagnosis.
But despite the fact that Emerson was healing, he wasn't completely out of the woods. Perhaps it wasn’t his myriad of health problems that held Emerson back from getting adopted. There was something else that made him a "special needs" puppy.
A Fateful Television Appearance
As he was healing, NFR Maine made a strong effort to find Emerson his new forever home. The volunteers even appeared on local television to state his case and what they said pulled at many viewers' heartstrings.
"Emerson had a pretty rough start to life… [He] was having seizures, we weren’t sure why. He was hospitalized and developed Parvo. And they do believe he is deaf and maybe visually impaired," volunteers shared on the TV 5 Morning Show in Maine.
He Can't Hear, But He Can Love
So not only did this little guy suffer from a leg deformity, seizures, and Parvo within ten weeks of his life, he was also deaf (and possibly blind) for a majority of that time. That didn't keep Emerson from being a happy dog though.
"Once we got him from the vet’s office from Florida, we realized he had hearing difficulties. He doesn’t let it bother him at all though, he’s a typical puppy," volunteer Lindsay Powers told Good Morning America.
Living A Full Life
Veterinarians and volunteers weren't sure how Emerson came to be deaf either. "It is unknown if I was born deaf or if it was from the seizures," Powers shared on Facebook on behalf of Emerson.
“What IS known is that a lack of being able to hear doesn’t keep me down!” Emerson likely wasn’t blind and despite being unable to hear, he enjoyed going on shopping trips, car rides, and playing with the kids in his foster family.
They Didn't Want His Disability To Hold Him Back
Despite Emerson's "happy-go-lucky" nature, NFR Maine couldn’t find any takers when it came to his adoption. With all of his siblings gone, they believed it was Emerson’s disclaimers that were holding him back.
Emerson was 12 weeks old and still looking for his forever home. “My Foster mom thinks that’s because people see that I’m deaf, and that makes people nervous but she wants everyone to know that being deaf is the LEAST of my worries!” Powers wrote on Facebook.
Taking To Facebook
While fostering Emerson, NFR volunteer Lindsay Powers simply couldn't understand why this little guy had a hard time finding someone to adopt him. She even shared his story and some adorable photos of him on Facebook.
"'My foster mom says she pictures me with someone that loves to be outside doing things like camping and going on adventures! I do really well on a leash and respond to vibrations if you need to get my attention," she wrote.
Everyone Knew Who He Was
Soon, many of the locals in Maine gained wind of Emerson's story. "We had so many people ask about him! (He was getting to be a one name celebrity around these parts!)," NFR Maine shared on their Facebook page.
But despite the fact that many people knew Emerson was still looking for someone to adopt him, NFR Maine still had trouble finding his perfect forever home. After all, Emerson was unlike most dogs.
A Perfect Partner
Finally, Emerson's saving grace came in the form of Nick Abbott. Some might say it was destiny that Abbott expressed interest in Emerson. He contacted NFR Maine about Emerson, telling them that he might understand Emerson better than other potential new owners.
"Right off the bat, he said, 'I’m deaf also and I feel like we’d have a good connection,'" Powers told Good Morning America. Thinking that she found the one, Powers processed Abbott’s adoption application within a day.
Did Emerson Find His Forever Home?
Nick Abbott heard about Emerson after seeing a post on his Facebook feed. "I was born deaf. I said- Oh, he's deaf too… Maybe I can go check him out to see what he’s all about," Abbott told CBS-affiliate WABI-TV.
There couldn’t have been a more perfect match for Emerson. Not only was someone willing and ready to take care of the puppy, but they would also share a special bond between the two of them.
A New Home For A Deaf Puppy
A couple of days later, Abbott was on his way to meet Emerson for the first time. When Abbott first arrived at Emerson's foster home, it was as if the stars had aligned right then and there.
"He came straight to me at the door and sat right away at my feet and stayed there. So you can tell he kind of picked me," Abbott said with a smile. Emerson had finally found the perfect new owner.
Let The Training Begin
The fact that Emerson walked right up to Abbott the moment he saw him was a sure sign that the two of them were meant to be in each other's lives. "I knew right then and there that we would get along and understand each other pretty good," Abbott told WABI-TV.
Now that Emerson had found the perfect forever home with Abbott, he lives as one of the happiest puppies in Maine. But there was still a learning curve for this pup.
Emerson Knows Sign Language
Since the two have found each other, Abbott has begun teaching Emerson sign language. Just because he has a disability, doesn't mean that his life would be different than other puppies. After all, he was at the prime age to learn some basic commands and neat tricks.
Though Abbott says that Emerson can respond to certain tones and pitches, sign language allows him to better communicate with his new dog.
He's Pretty Smart
So far, Emerson can sit and lie down on command. Of course, he does this using the visual cues of sign language. To tell Emerson to sit, Abbott signs the letter 's' in sign language. It was one trick that Emerson had down to a tee.
For "lie down," Abbott sweeps his hand across in a straight line. Emerson performed the command effortlessly for the first time when WABI-TV came to interview Abbott.
A Happy Ending
After all that he had gone through in the first three months of his life, Emerson finally got the fairy-tale ending he deserved. His disability may have held him back before but it brought him closer to just the right person. Emerson now embarks on his happy new life with his best friend Nick Abbott.
"The bond that we have is awesome. We understand each other very well. I'd like to think it was meant to be. He’s special," Abbott said.
