When staff from the Benton-Franklin Humane Society arrived early one morning, they were met with a heartbreaking sight — a young dog tied to the shelter’s back door, curled up beside the air conditioning unit.
She looked confused, quiet, and heartbreakingly hopeful.
“She was just sitting there, waiting for someone to come get her,” said volunteer Julie Saraceno.
Staff members gently untied the dog and brought her inside. Later, when they checked security footage, they discovered that she’d been left there in the middle of the night — alone for at least six hours.
No one knew who had left her or why. She didn’t have any identification, and aside from being a little underweight, she seemed healthy. The team estimated she was around two years old.
They named her Tinkerbell.
At first, Tinkerbell was shy and overwhelmed by the noise and bustle of the shelter. But it didn’t take long for her gentle personality to shine through.
“She was very timid and scared,” Saraceno recalled, “but she was still so trusting and loving. She’s a very cuddly dog.”
To lift her spirits, Saraceno took Tinkerbell out for a special treat — ice cream. At first, Tinkerbell didn’t seem to understand what it was. But after Saraceno demonstrated by taking a lick herself, the little dog finally tried it.
“That’s when she realized, ‘Oh, this is actually quite delightful. This is not scary. I do like ice cream,’” Saraceno said with a laugh.
As the days passed, Tinkerbell’s confidence bloomed. She wagged more, cuddled freely, and stole the hearts of everyone at the shelter. It wasn’t long before a loving adopter met her — and instantly knew she belonged with them.
The day Tinkerbell went home, her eyes were bright and her tail wouldn’t stop wagging. Her new mom later sent Saraceno a photo of Tinkerbell resting peacefully in the car, finally safe and content.
“I was crying happy tears,” Saraceno said. “It means so much to me.”
Just weeks ago, Tinkerbell was abandoned and afraid. Today, she’s loved, cherished, and exactly where she belongs.
If you’d like to help more animals like Tinkerbell find their happily-ever-after, you can support the Benton-Franklin Humane Society here.
