Plus, nine surprises hidden nearby
By Sarah Ashley
Published on June 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM
At the end of May, a call came into the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) about a dog tied to a fence on a short leash. She was panting heavily, stuck in direct sunlight with no water. The outside temperature was 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Alarmed, AHS escalated the call and sent an investigator out immediately.
What the investigator found was even more distressing than expected.
The dog was tied to a chain-link fence, struggling to stand on a small strip of dirt to keep off the scorching pavement. The investigator could see she was nursing and that there must be puppies somewhere nearby. There were also brightly colored leopard print spots painted all over her body.
The dog was extremely friendly. “Even a friendly dog that is tethered or chained out sometimes will be defensive, because it’s a very vulnerable position for them to be in,” Ruthie Jesus, field manager at AHS, told The Dodo. “She was not like that.”
The investigator gave her water and placed a towel on the pavement, which measured 133 degrees Fahrenheit. Instantly, the dog gulped water and lay on the towel.
Police were able to locate the dog’s owner, who claimed they’d taken her in as a stray about a month earlier. Then they led the AHS investigator to the puppies.
Inside their home were nine puppies, barely 3 weeks old. They should have been close to their mother and able to nurse throughout the day. “So, at that point, the owner did make the decision that they were not able to care for [the dogs] appropriately moving forward,” Jesus said. “They chose to surrender [them] immediately.”
Once in AHS’ care, the dog, who is about 5 years old, and her babies went straight to Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital for evaluation. Veterinary staff used cold towels to cool her down. She needs to gain some weight so she can keep nursing her babies, but she will be OK.
Jesus is beyond grateful for the Good Samaritan who called AHS about the dog, whom the staff named Rainbow Brite and are calling her puppies Sprites. All 10 dogs are now in a comfortable foster home, where they’ll remain together until the puppies are at least 8 weeks old.
https://volume.thedodo.com/embed/1dc2db8d4?autoplay=false&loop=true&placement=article&player_type=chorus&tracking=article:lede&privacy_consent=allArizona Humane Society
And those wild leopard spots? Jesus believes the former owner had those painted on Rainbow Brite purely for vanity. She’s not suffering any inflammation or irritation, so they’re just for show until they eventually fade away, hopefully taking the memory of this close call with them.
If you’d like to adopt Rainbow Brite or any of her Sprites when they become available, you can fill out an application on the Arizona Humane Society website.
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Shelter Dog Who’s Waited 1,800 Days Carries ‘Emotional Support Bowl’ Everywhere
“It is absolutely heartbreaking …” 💔
By Ashley Ortiz
During the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter’s (TOHAS) most chaotic moments, when residents are barking and kennel doors are clanking, some pups find solace in a cozy blanket or a plush toy. But one of the shelter’s longest residents, Wally, takes comfort in an unexpected item: his metal bowl.
After more than five years of living at the shelter, over 1,800 days, one might think that Wally would be used to the typical clamor in busy shelters. But as time passed and Wally’s wait for a perfect match increased, so did his anxiety.
“He paces back and forth with his emotional support bowl,” a TOHAS volunteer wrote on Instagram. “His bowl brings him comfort in the stressful shelter. It is absolutely heartbreaking to watch.”
When Wally first arrived at TOHAS in 2019, the staff instantly fell in love with him. He was sadly covered in wounds, which the shelter’s medical team swiftly treated, but that didn’t affect his ability to love and be loved.
Since his initial intake, Wally went to two separate homes, hoping to finally have the family he always dreamed of. Unfortunately, Wally returned to TOHAS in December 2024 for reasons out of his control, causing his anxiety to spike.
As a result, he’s started carrying his metal food bowl everywhere he went.
You can watch Wally carry his bowl here:
Since Wally’s return, despite the sadness of still not having a permanent family, the sweet pup has managed to regain his puppy-like spirit. Now over 7 years old, Wally is technically a senior dog — but his energy levels as soon as he sees his favorite toy would suggest otherwise.
“Nowadays, he’s a big fan of playtime! Wally loves all kinds of toys: balls, ropes, squeaky toys and more,” the TOHAS volunteer wrote. “He’ll happily trade toys for other toys or tasty treats, making him a fun and engaging playmate.”
Wally’s play-drive is a saving grace for the longtime shelter dog. Whenever he’s running around, his worries slip away, and he can enjoy his life again. It’s only when he returns to the kennel for meals or sleep that his uneasiness creeps back in.
“Wally is a bit timid with new people while in his kennel, but once he’s out, he’s much more open and friendly,” the TOHAS volunteer wrote.
The folks at TOHAS are hopeful that Wally will find his perfect family soon. While their hearts break knowing the adorable boy has been overlooked for so long, they refuse to give up on him.
“His journey has been difficult, but it’s not over,” the TOHAS volunteer wrote on Instagram. “He’s so sweet.”
To inquire about adopting Wally, you can email the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter at adoption@hempsteadny.gov or call (516) 785-5220.
To help pets like Wally get the care they need, you can donate to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter’s Amazon wishlist here.
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