"She Cried While She Ate": Rescued Dog Overcome by Joy

By Kristie Hendricks, Dogs Deserve Better Representative for New York

I received a call about sweet dog chained to a tree, needing to be spayed and perhaps re-homed. The caller knew that the owner would allow the spay, but was unsure if he would allow me to re-home to a family who would allow her indoors.

Upon my arrival, I found Darla chained to a tree in a very secluded backyard, way down a hill where she could not even see the home. Her shelter was a very rickety box with holes and lots of space for wind, water and snow to get in. She spent more than three years living there and had puppies that were given away at the grocery store. When she saw us coming, she was so happy that she whimpered and cried. She did so as I petted her as well; she was just so happy for the love and attention.

The owner said she wandered into his yard and he kept her there because he was fearful that she would be put to sleep, since she was a pit bull. With some education and compassion, he decided to let her go.

When I got her home, she cried while she ate. She was just as overwhelmed with emotion as was I. Darla is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. She loves everyone and appreciates every ounce of love she gets.

For All the Darlas Out There…

There’s a connection among all chained dogs. They’re all terribly lonely. They all suffer hunger and thirst. They all shiver in the winter cold and bake in the summer heat. And they all deserve better. They’re sisters and brothers in a web of neglect and we aim to do something about it. If you can help us in our quest to rescue chained dogs from suffering, to educate neglectful owners and to pass laws against chaining, we need you now. Please visit us here to make a donation.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Debbie C.

5:15AM PDT on Mar 14, 2012

Darling Darla. I am so glad she is off the chain. I hope you found her a good inside home with lots of love and goodies to eat.

send a green star

Eternal G.

3:33PM PST on Mar 5, 2012

O gotsie!

3:31PM PST on Mar 5, 2012

O gotsie...

Chloe T.

11:56PM PST on Mar 1, 2012

Glad she is free!

Vicki B.

8:17PM PST on Feb 26, 2012

Darling Darla, free at last!

Laura G.

9:29AM PST on Feb 25, 2012

I'm so happy you saved her. :)

Jackie A.

4:13AM PST on Feb 24, 2012

Very nice story, well done, I hope Darla has a long and happy life :-)

Diane L.

2:15AM PST on Feb 24, 2012

Mark, do you have some reading comprehension problem? Where did I say anyone has a right to own an animal and abuse it? Please copy and paste such a comment. I said that sometimes there are reasons for restraining a dog on one's property, whether it's tethering with a clotheseline or chain (would depend on the size and breed of the dog, I'd assume). Sometimes it's done to protect the dog, sometimes others who have to be on the property, and nowhere, no time, EVER did I condone 3 years as a suitable time frame.

"Humans have proved they have no rights whatsoever when it comes to animals. Keeping one around them is a privilege that has to be earned.".......so tell us all, Mark, and I won't make an issue out of the poor grammar, but are you saying ALL humans there? If it's a privilege that has to be earned, just who decides if they're worthy.........you? Where do we all submit our applications?

Mark D.

1:11PM PST on Feb 23, 2012

Diane L: and this has been repeated many times as well. NOBODY has the right to own an animal and abuse it. If you can't own an animal without "chaining" it outside and causing it suffering, then you definitely don't have the right to own it. Humans have proved they have no rights whatsoever when it comes to animals. Keeping one around them is a privilege that has to be earned.

Lori E.

11:50AM PST on Feb 21, 2012

I would have been crying right along side her. I'm so glad she's free. 3 years is so sad.