Shelter Workers Were Furious When This Dog Was Dumped After 7 Years For An Unbelievable Reason
Rooney, a sweet seven-year-old dog, had only known the comfort of a loving home.
For his whole life, he’d been surrounded by familiar people and warmth. But right after his seventh birthday, everything changed.
His family dropped him off at a shelter. Just like that, Rooney was left behind.
A Heartbreaking Goodbye
According to a Facebook post shared by Lone Star Dog Ranch & Dog Ranch Rescue, the family gave him up because they were expecting a baby.
The note with Rooney’s photo said they could no longer give him the attention he needed.
That’s how Rooney ended up in a cold shelter, lost and confused. He was suddenly surrounded by strangers and other scared dogs, all unsure of what would happen next.
“Dogs can smell the fear in the building, they can smell the [euthanasia] of dogs that have to be euthanized due [to] the incredible lack of space that every single shelter is dealing with,” said the rescue in their post.
It painted a very real picture of what Rooney was facing.
Everything he once knew was gone in a flash. He had no idea what the future held.
A Lifeline Arrives
Thankfully, Rooney’s story reached Dog Ranch Rescue, a non-profit group based in Anna, Texas. They couldn’t ignore his pain.
One of their team members, Ricky, headed straight to the shelter to help.
Ricky picked up Rooney and gently carried him to the car. They drove to the rescue facility, where the rest of the staff was waiting.
When they saw Rooney’s face, everyone was crushed. His eyes were filled with sadness.
But that sorrow quickly turned into anger.
A Message For His Former Family
The team shared their feelings openly in a heartfelt Facebook post.
“I am so sick and tired of people ‘getting rid of their dogs’ because you had a baby, a change in your life, blah blah blah blah blah…” the post read. “I know some are more compassionate about it than I am but I’m just not…”
Then came the words directed straight at the person who left Rooney behind.
“I always wonder did it make you feel bad while you stood in line? did you look back at him when you walked away, did you see his face asking you what the hell? did you forget about him 5 minutes later? 10 minutes maybe?”
Their emotions were raw—but so was their love for Rooney.
At the end of the message, they made him a promise: he would never be let down again. He was now part of their family, and they would find him a real forever home.
A New Start Ahead
Rooney still had some healing to do, but his story took a beautiful turn.
He was adopted by a woman named Kirsten Strandquest, someone with a big heart and a soft spot for senior dogs.
She’s opened her home to older pups before and is known for giving them the love and comfort they need for the rest of their days.
Now, Rooney is exactly where he belongs—safe, loved, and finally home.
