Three month old ‘Chewy’ was abandoned in a Las Vegas airport bathroom over the weekend.
The Chihuahua mix puppy was found in McCarran International Airport by a worker who, luckily, also happened to volunteer at an animal rescue centre.
He had been left with a handwritten note attached to him.
The employee asked the president of Connor and Millie’s Dog Rescue, Linda Gilliam, if it was okay if Chewy joined the other puppies in the shelter.
Gilliam, of course, was more than happy to take Chewy in, but it was the note that had been left with the dog that touched people all around the Vegas area – and the world.
"Chewy" the puppy was abandoned in Las Vegas airport with gut-wrenching note https://t.co/j8032AGyOD pic.twitter.com/wChp5aXFzL
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) July 6, 2017
“Hi! I’m Chewy!” it read. “My owner was in an abusive relationship and couldn’t afford me to get on the flight.”
“She didn’t want to leave me with all her heart but she has no other option. My boyfriend kicked my dog when we were fighting and he has a big knot on his head. He probably needs a vet.”
The note ends with: ‘I love Chewy sooo much. Please love and take care of him,” with a string of x’s and o’s.
Not only is Chewy’s owner being forced to abandon the dog heartbreaking in itself, but the reason behind this abandonment makes the story even more gut-wrenching.
In America, studies estimate that between 10 and 35 percent of people will be physically aggressive to a partner during their lifetime.
Chewy’s owner’s note highlights the reality of this aggression that has left a person with no other option but to abandon their dog and get on a flight with their abusive partner.
Speaking to CBS News, shelter owner Gilliam said that she could tell Chewy’s owner did not want to leave him.
“This isn’t how she wanted this to end, but she did the best she could to try to save herself and him at the same time. Abusers – they have no limits.”
She also commented that she didn’t expect Chewy’s owner to come back for the dog, but that they had done a “very brave thing.”
“Hi! I’m Chewy! My owner was in an abusive relationship and couldn’t afford me to get on the flight. She didn’t… https://t.co/Yow6wg4KzH
— The RED HEART Campaign (@campaign_rh) July 7, 2017
After his rescue, Chewy was taken to a local vet where his head injury was successfully treated.
Once Gilliam posted his photo to social media, the shelter had over 1,000 requests from people wanting to adopt the puppy.
Chewy is currently in the care of a ‘foster mom’ in the Las Vegas area, waiting to find his new home.
