Stray starving dog saved by student who hoped animal shelter would find dog’s pawrents, but immediately regretted surrendering bonded pup and submitted adoption papers: ‘I love her so much, she changed my life in so many ways in such a short time.’

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Aug 4, 2026 7:30 AM EDT

Often we discuss the importance of following procedure when finding an abandoned pup. But what happens when the procedure was unnecessary and all the love that the pupper ever needed was right by its side all along? Well that's what we find out in this story.

As mentioned, many dog rescue stories have serious issues with the way proper procedure is followed. Most of the times these mistakes are out of ignorance not malice, but nonetheless they are mistakes that can cost a dog their life or happiness. We are of course talking about the debate over whether it is better to drop a dumped doggo off at the shelter or rescue, or to care for the doggo in your home yourself until a suitable home is found. We are strong supporters of the latter, giving the doggo stability and loving support until its furever home is found.

But in this story our rescuer only turns to the shelter system when she realizes she might not be able to locate the doggo's family herself. A completely reasonable assumption considering a young person's trust in the societal systems around them that they often lean on. But the moment this young rescuer left her soul dog at the shelter she knew she had made a mistake and set about correcting it immediately. But what most intrigued us about this story is the passion with which this young person protects their pup. The kind that is rarely seen amongst pupper pawrents.
 

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  • 01
    "For the 4 days I had her I loved that dog so much, more than I've ever loved anything before."
    via ReincarnationCat

    Brown and black dog lying on bed being cuddled smiling

    Dog depicted by model

  • 02
    About 6 days ago I found a stray dog wondering around hungry and scared. I called her over and offered some food to her, which she took right away. I brought her home and kept
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  • 03
    her for 4 days before deciding to give her to the local animal shelter. She seemed domesticated and was very friendly and potty trained. I figured that this meant they're was a slim
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    chance a family could be out looking for her and I didn't want to possibly prevent her from going back to a family if she had any.
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    Cheezburger Image 10651194368
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    However, I feel like a part of meded the second I gave her away. For the 4 days I had her I loved that dog so much, more than I've ever loved anything before. We bonded so much and she felt like my other half. I've
    via ReincarnationCat

  • Well, we have to start off by saying how impressed we are with the maturity of this student. Not many adults would have the emotional maturity to consider the well being and happiness of not only the doggo but a potentially heartbroken family who might be looking for the dog as well. And while she did technically do the right thing in at least giving it a chance to find his pawrents we totally understand the heartache. Dogs that we rescue ourselves often climb into our hearts far faster and deeper than any others. And especially because we fall for them so hard it makes handing them over that much tougher.
     

  • 07
    never been a dog person before, but when I tell you this is the sweetest most loving dog ever I'm not lying. I feel so bad fo dropping her off because she had terrible attachment
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    KEE CAL AN
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    issues and I feel like I just emotionally damaged her. I love her so much, she changed my life in so many ways in such a short time. It really feels like I gave away my child. I have this huge
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    hole in my heart. I've been crying since I dropped her off and I can't stop. It's been about a day and a half and no one has claimed her. I put in an application to
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    adopt her, but I don't know how successful I'll be. I want to go up to the shelter and just ask to see her one last time. I miss her so much I can't concentrate on work or school or anything. I loved her so
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    Cheezburger Image 10651194880
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    much and I regret ever taking her. I want to see her do bad snd tell her I didn't drop her off because I was mad at her or I didn't want her, but because I wanted to see if she could be reunited with her family.
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    I don't know what to do, I feel so d empty. d and
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  • Goodness, the heartbreak of this young person has really got to us as we are sure it has hit you. It is not often that we get to hear such a pure and passionate account of a hooman’s love for a dog, no less a dog they have only recently met. But that is the way of the universe. Gently, quietly nudging the people and pups who deserve to be together closer and closer until they meet. But as life is, pawfection is not on the table and mistakes are made. Thankfully not all mistakes are permanent. 
     

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    Cheezburger Image 10651195392
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    UPDATE: I GOT HER!! I get to pick her up in 5 days after the holding period is over and they do the necessary vaccines and microchipping and whatnot. I got the call
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    this morning and I'm going to see her tomorrow. I'm going to leave my number at the shelter and keep up all the ads I posted for her in case someone comes forward in a few weeks or a few months. But I don't
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    have it in my heart to keep her in the shelter. I just wanted to help get the word out by taking her to the shelter. If I had a dog that got lost that's where I would look, so I figured that that was my best option to find her owner.
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    Cheezburger Image 10651194624
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    So far no one has claimed her and I have about 20 hous left before the stray hold is over. I can't keep her there though. The shelter has
    via ReincarnationCat
  • 21
    posted a few pictures of her since I dropped her off and she looks so heartbroken and devastated. I remember when I went to drop her off she figured out that I was letting her go and she just went limp and
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    mute the second we pulled. up to the shelter. I feel like I broke her heart. I've been crying nonstop thinking about her. I cant sleep or eat knowing that she thinks I don't love her.
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  • 23
    I've been looking into doggy daycare for her for when I'm in school. She seems to have bad attachment anxiety and I'd like for her to be around people and dog tha will distract her while I'm away.
    via ReincarnationCat
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    Im also looking into puppy training for her. If there's anything else I need to know please tell me!
    via ReincarnationCat

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heartwarming story surrender dogs stray dog student hope papers find reddit story saved pawrents starving dog story animal shelter pup bonded pairs regret dog adoption
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