Though the idea of euthanasia horrifies all dog owners, many animals wind up in shelters as a sad reality.

Texas saw the most animals from shelters put down for the second year running, according to a Best Friends Network research. List of them

The rates of adoption have dropped while those of intake have increased. Two

Shelters got packed beyond capacity. It breaks my heart to watch sick and less attractive canines end up on a euthanasia list so that other dogs may live.

One puppy whose name was on that list was Darla. Among the fortunate ones to be saved at the last minute was her. Let me explain what transpired.

Afraid Darla

At the Laredo Animal Care Services shelter in Laredo, Texas, lived the endearing Golden Retriever Darla. Her description by the shelter staff was of a very shy dog. The existence in a shelter was too much for her to handle.

The shelter had the painful choice to put some animals to sleep because of overcrowding.Puppy euthanasia lists were created for the pups with less likelihood of being adopted.

Then there was Sweet Darla.

The personnel of the shelter attempted to transport Darla to a chamber for euthanasia in July of 2023. She became terrified when she realised where she was going.She became immobile and her legs gave out.

The employees of the shelter lifted her and loaded her onto a wheelbarrow.

A non-profit group called Austin Pets Alive! was paying a visit to the shelter that day.Their intention in visiting the shelter was to rescue the lives of a few dogs.

That day, Clare Callison, director of national operations at Austin Pets Alive!, was also present.

“I knew it was about the time of day when the shelter does routine euthanasia for opening up kennel space,” she said.

A terrified Golden Retriever huddled in a blue wheelbarrow drew their attention as they moved up the corridor. The terrified dog was scheduled for euthanasia, they discovered.

Saved Right Before It Happens

They knew they had to rescue her the instant they laid eyes on her.

“We had to save her, we had to pull her. With any luck, she will be able to emerge from her shell and become the content dog she so well deserves. Jordana Moerbe, national shelter support director of APA! remarked, “We’re working so hard for it because it’s what every pet in the shelter deserves.”

The sole reason Darla was supposed to be put down, Callison learned after speaking with the shelter staff, was her shyness.

With a soft stroking on her head, Callison saw that Darla loved her pets and was open to love, despite her timidity.

She had a full medical examination at the vet after the APA! members drove her there. As it turned out, Darla was an eight-month-old puppy when her rescuers arrived.

For Darla, APA! asked Mile High Lab Mission, one of its Denver, Colorado, collaborators. They soon located a foster family who were eager to adopt her.

Chasing Love

Darla wagging her tail as soon as she greeted her foster family was something she never did while staying at the shelter.She might at last let her family adore her and let go of her worries.

“She was a whole new dog.”Says Callison.

August 9, 2023, saw the Mile High Lab Mission announce Darla’s adoption. Her wonderful family now loves her with all of their hearts. We hope she leads a very happy and loving life.