Louisiana animal control officers rushed to the scene after receiving a call about a dog found in a bathroom at Destrehan’s Splash Park. She was an elderly black Lab who appeared to be pregnant. But when they got a closer look, they noticed that she was just a little overweight. Someone had left chicken for her, which she had quickly gobbled down. This left her a little bloated, but otherwise okay. The pup was also left with a vague note, which led to the rest of Ladybird’s story. The officers quickly learned that this wasn’t an act of animal cruelty, but instead, it was about a family going through tough times.
Ladybird’s Family
The note left with Ladybird said: “Be nice 2 dog – got stuck no car – be back soon – give my dog some water – be back in morning.” There was also a water bottle beside it. Officials brought Ladybird to the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter to keep her safe.
Image: Screenshot, @VBSPCA/Facebook
Ladybird’s human biked back to the public bathroom in the morning just as his note had claimed. When she wasn’t there, he called animal control. They informed him about where his dog was, so he reached out to the shelter with the full story.
“He called us and said he still wants Ladybird, but just needs a few weeks to get back on his feet,” said Dr. Jena Troxler, veterinarian and animal shelter supervisor. “Ladybird and [her human] are homeless, and he has been living in [a shelter] trying to save his money so he and Ladybird can drive back to North Carolina where he has family willing to help him get back on his feet.”
The two have been best friends since Ladybird was only six weeks old. They spent a lot of time traveling the world together, but sometimes, things got tough. They always had his family in North Carolina to return to though. But this time, they had gotten stuck in Louisiana with no mode of transportation.
Image: Suzy Haas Swims Facebook
Bringing Ladybird Home
Ladybird’s dad was desperate to help bring her to North Carolina. He knew she was getting older, so he wanted her to live out her last years in a familiar environment. The shelter staff was touched by this story. So, they reached out to non-profit organization Turning Rescues into Pets, who helped raise money for Ladybird’s needs. They soon raised enough money to get a kennel, orthopedic bed, kennel mat, and additional medical needs for Ladybird.
GreaterGood also helped by providing Ladybird with heartworm prevention and food. Then, Wings of Rescue planned to accommodate the pup on an upcoming transport to North Carolina. Ladybird’s dad kept in touch the entire time.
“You can truly tell how much Ladybird means to him and we are happy to be a part of keeping her safe until they can be together again,” Troxler said. “She has definitely been a staff favorite here at the shelter. Ladybird’s had quite the adventure recently.”
Once Ladybird was healthy enough, she boarded the transport, which brought her to the Virginia Beach SPCA. From there, a staff member drove her to her relative’s home, where she was thrilled to see a familiar face. Now, she can live out her senior years in a loving home, and it’s all thanks to the many kind humans who cared about her.
When you purchase items from the iHeartDogs store, a portion of those proceeds are donated to GreaterGood, who helps fund Wings of Rescue transports. Even small purchases can make a difference for dogs like Ladybird.
