Last weekend in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a dog named Baby Girl was found sitting quietly in the grass, tied to a fire hydrant. At first glance, it looked like she was patiently waiting for her owner to return.
That’s what Kylie Rose Engelhardt thought when she first spotted her.
But after sitting with Baby Girl for nearly an hour in the cold, keeping her warm and hoping someone would come back, Engelhardt realized the truth — Baby Girl had been left behind.
Next to the 5-year-old pup was a backpack filled with her favorite things: food, treats, toys — and a heartbreaking note.
Understanding the seriousness of the situation, Engelhardt brought Baby Girl to the Wisconsin Humane Society, where staff immediately began caring for her. “I did my best, everyone,” Engelhardt wrote in a Facebook post. “Trust me, it breaks my heart, too.”
Photos of Baby Girl and her backpack quickly gained attention online, and soon the shelter shared an update: Baby Girl was safe and thriving.
“She’s doing really well and getting tons of TLC from our staff,” said Angela Speed, vice president of communications at the shelter. “She loves her walks, toys, and will do an adorable ‘sit’ for treats. She’s a happy, affectionate pup.”
But what moved many most was the compassionate response from the shelter toward Baby Girl’s former owner. In a heartfelt post, the Wisconsin Humane Society acknowledged the love it clearly took to prepare her for rescue.
“First and foremost, we are so sorry you had to part with your best friend,” the shelter wrote. “We see your love in the backpack you carefully packed, in how you secured her leash to keep her safe, and in the note asking for someone to help her. We understand that letting her go must have been incredibly hard.”
While Baby Girl has now completed her “stray hold” period, she’ll soon be available for adoption, and staff are confident that her second chance at a forever home is just around the corner.
“She’s getting lots of cuddles, plenty of love, and is well on her way to a brighter future,” the shelter said. “To her previous owner — please know she’s safe, and you did the best you could.”
If you’re interested in adopting Baby Girl, you can learn more about her here.
To support dogs like Baby Girl, consider donating to the Wisconsin Humane Society and help more pets find their happily ever after.
