In the middle of a busy Meijer parking lot in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a small black-and-white dog was darting nervously between cars and shopping carts. Frightened and confused, she kept circling the lot as shoppers stopped to watch, unsure what to do.
A few kind strangers decided to act. Working carefully and patiently, they formed a loose circle, speaking softly to gain the dog’s trust. It took time — and a lot of gentle coaxing — but eventually, the trembling pup let one of them scoop her up.
That’s when they saw it: a small plastic bag tied to her collar with a piece of rope. Inside was a handwritten note that read simply:
“My name is Rukey. Please help me, take me home.”
The rescuers’ hearts sank. It was clear Rukey hadn’t wandered off — someone had left her behind.
They brought the little dog straight to Kent County Animal Shelter, where staff quickly took her in and gave her a quiet place to rest.
“We get a lot of abandoned pets, but we don’t generally see them with a note,” said Angela Hollinshead, director of the shelter. “This is a first for us — a dog turned loose in a public space with a note like this that’s landed on our doorstep.”
Staff believe Rukey is a young Schipperke mix — petite, shy, and gentle. Though she was wary at first, it didn’t take long for her to show her sweet, trusting nature once she realized she was safe.
“She’s a very petite little dog, and she’s very sweet,” Hollinshead said. “Once she trusts you, she just melts.”
The shelter posted Rukey’s story on Facebook, not only to share her rescue but to reach out — compassionately — to the person who had left her.
“To the person who had to make the heartbreaking decision to let her go — please know that Rukey is safe and deeply loved by our staff,” the post read. “Her gentle personality has already won our hearts, and we will ensure she is cared for and finds a wonderful, loving family. We can only imagine how difficult this choice was for you.”
They ended the message with a reminder to all:
“Be kind to yourself and others. We never know the battles someone is silently facing.”
In the days that followed, Rukey was spayed, given a clean bill of health, and made available for adoption. But she didn’t have to wait long.
When the shelter doors opened the next morning, a family walked in — and as soon as they met Rukey, they knew she was the one. Within hours, she was curled up in their arms, finally on her way home.
Though her time at the shelter was brief, Rukey left a deep impression on everyone she met. Her story is a powerful reminder that kindness — even in a parking lot — can change a life.
“She’s off to her new home, bringing joy to her new family,” the shelter wrote. “Please remember to choose kindness.”
Kent County Animal Shelter offers support for area pet owners struggling to care or feed their animals. If you need assistance, please look at the resources offered.
