Witnessing the suffering of animals at the hands of those they trust is a heart-wrenching experience. Unfortunately, cases of animal mistreatment and abuse occur daily worldwide, leading to countless creatures finding themselves in shelters, awaiting the second chance at life they truly deserve.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control (CMACC) in North Carolina is one such facility where Sarah Sleime selflessly volunteers her time. She is no stranger to the sight of despondent, broken-hearted animals yearning for their forever homes. However, even Sarah was deeply moved when she crossed paths with Cinnamon, a Pit Bull who seemed to bear the weight of the world in her eyes every time Sarah passed by. What Sarah would later uncover about Cinnamon’s past, though, would be the tipping point.
Sarah shared: “They (the shelter workers) were evaluating a few dogs we were considering rescuing, and as I walked up and down the kennels, I noticed this pit bull sitting there. She had an almost humanlike appearance, slouched and profoundly solemn”.
It was soon revealed that Cinnamon, who appeared to be around seven years old, had likely endured a life as a breeding dog under her previous owners. In a poignant Facebook post, Sarah disclosed: “Someone abandoned this poor mother at the shelter without her puppies. Every time I spoke to her and expressed my sorrow, her eyes welled up with tears. It was heart-wrenching!”
Compelled to take action, Sarah created a video to shed light on Cinnamon’s plight in the hope of raising awareness. The video quickly went viral, garnering attention from many individuals interested in adopting Cinnamon and offering their support. Sarah’s joy knew no bounds when a friend of hers expressed her desire to provide a loving forever home for Cinnamon.
Shortly after, a woman named Jennifer McKay came to meet Cinnamon, now fondly referred to as Rosie. “She looked so sad and dejected”, McKay shared with The Dodo. “She barely acknowledged my presence. While all the other dogs made eye contact and wagged their tails, she remained seated and unresponsive.”
The moment McKay saw Cinnamon in that video, shedding tears in a cage, she and her family were deeply moved. “My kids cried, and I showed my husband, who said we could go meet her tomorrow.”
Upon their first meeting, Megan and Rosie instantly bonded, with Rosie’s tail wagging enthusiastically. Sarah captured this heartwarming moment on video and shared it on her Facebook page. Rosie’s previously tearful demeanor was replaced with unbridled enthusiasm.
The Shelton family already had a three-year-old Pit Bull named Blu, so the main concern was whether the two dogs could coexist. Fortunately, Blu and Rosie quickly became fast friends. Rosie found a loving family, and the Sheltons gained a cherished companion, proving that every animal deserves a second chance at happiness.