“This is the last place we thought we’d find Whitey” 😰
By Ashley Ortiz
Published on Sep 26, 2025 at 5:56 PM
It was a typical afternoon at Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary (ZRFS) when owners Kristin Hartness and Jay Yontz suddenly had a concerning realization: They hadn’t seen their beloved senior pup, Whitey, in a few hours.
The couple began scanning the 110-acre farm, accounting for all 100 of their animals, minus Whitey. As the hours passed with no signs of Whitey, the couple’s worries intensified. Until, suddenly, Kristin heard a distant “squish.”
When Kristin and Jay first purchased the farm in 2017, they knew the property came with a few animals — one of whom was Whitey. But they never imagined the bond they would form with the lonely barn dog who was once wary of humans.
“Whitey used to live in the barn alone; he had no family,” ZRFS wrote on Facebook. “His job was to protect the animals.”
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As soon as Kristin and Jay took over the farm, they knew they wanted to give Whitey a better life. They immediately moved him inside, physically carrying him in since he was too scared to enter on his own.
Whitey slept with his new humans that night, and when they opened the door for him the next morning, they found him surprisingly close by.
“The next morning, he went outside, and when I opened the door, he was sleeping in a ball outside of the door,” ZRFS wrote. “He was so happy to be a beloved family dog. He’s been inside every day since.”
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Whitey instantly took to life as a house dog, shedding his fear of humans and thoroughly enjoying the comforts of his new home. No matter where they went, Whitey always followed Kristin and Jay everywhere. He’d spent over a decade roaming the barn freely, but after falling in love with Kristin and Jay, Whitey refused to leave their side.
That’s why, when he disappeared for hours the other day only to be found chest-deep in a giant mud pit, they were shocked.
“Whitey wasn’t [making] any noise, Kristin could barely hear the faint sound of him trying to get out of the mud,” ZRFS wrote in an Instagram Reel. “This is the last place we thought we’d find Whitey.”
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The poor boy was exhausted from his hours-long attempt to escape the mud, desperately kicking his legs without moving an inch. Luckily, his mom found him just in time.
Kristin tried to pull Whitey out, but to no avail; thankfully, Jay was right behind her. He soon lifted the pup out of the mud and plopped him down on dry land.
You can watch Whitey’s rescue here:
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Whitey hobbled around the farm for a bit with his parents chasing behind him as he regained his footing. Once the adrenaline wore off, the couple carried him inside and washed the mud off his body.
Before long, Whitey was snuggled in his bed with his relieved humans right by his side.
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There’s no doubt that Whitey is an integral member of the ZRFS family. He’s not just Kristin and Jay’s best friend; he’s friends with every single animal on the farm. And after a scary few hours of him being missing, everyone at ZRFS is thrilled to know he’s OK.
“He’s truly been a blessing every single day since we moved in,” ZRFS wrote. “Today, he is the center of our world.”
To keep up with Whitey and his family, you can follow Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary on Instagram and Facebook.
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Couple Touring Empty Home See Old Doghouse In Yard — Then A Sad Face Pops Out
“Honestly, I was just in shock.”
Two years ago, April Morgan and her fiancé, J.C., toured a home they were interested in buying. When they walked into the backyard, they noticed an old doghouse — with a dog inside.
At first, Morgan couldn’t process what was happening. Was the dog there by mistake, or had she been abandoned?
“Honestly, I was just in shock,” Morgan said in a video for The Dodo. “I was like, ‘I have to do something.’”
Morgan was heartbroken when she learned the truth: The house’s previous owners had left their dog behind on purpose. In their real estate purchase agreement, they’d explicitly stated that they were leaving the dog on the property because they didn’t want her anymore.
The dog was 10 years old, and her previous owners had adopted her when she was a puppy. Even after a decade spent together, they tied her up in their yard and abandoned her like she didn’t matter.
Morgan didn’t understand how someone could treat any pet so cruelly, especially one as lovable as the pup she and her fiancé had found.
“When I first met her, I thought she was the sweetest dog ever,” Morgan said.
J.C. let the dog off the leash she’d been tied up with and let her run freely around the backyard. In that moment, the dog seemed to understand that she was finally safe.
For Morgan and her fiancé, the decision to adopt the dog was a no-brainer. They named her Molly and introduced her to their cats and other dogs.
It didn’t take long for Molly to settle into her new routine, which involved lots of frolicking, luxurious baths and cuddle sessions with her siblings.
“[S]he’s just spoiled rotten,” Morgan said.
As much as Molly loves her whole family, she’s developed a special bond with her dad, J.C. Perhaps it’s because he’s the one who first let her off the leash she’d been tied up with.
“She follows him around everywhere,” Morgan said.
It means the world to Morgan to get to provide a warm, loving home for Molly. After everything she’s been through, she deserves to be pampered for the rest of her life.
“It’s just very heartwarming to know that she’s in a safe place,” Morgan said.
To keep up with Molly, you can follow her on TikTok.
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