The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Shelter reunites homeless mom, pet

- By Sydney Page

Lilo, a 4-year-old German shepherd-great Pyrenees mix, was found wandering the streets of Chattanoog­a, Tennessee, alone. All she had with her was a leash and collar — which had a heartbreak­ing handwritte­n note attached to it.

“Please keep my name. My name is Lilo,” the note read. “Please love me. My mom can’t keep me and is homeless with 2 kids. She tried her best but can’t get help. I cost too much for her.”

“She really loves me and I’m a great dog and love to be loved on,” the note continued. “Please don’t abuse me.”

Lilo was found by a local resident on Jan. 20 and taken to Mckamey Animal Center. When she first arrived, “she was really scared,” said Lauren Mann, the director of advancemen­t at the shelter.

“We all cried reading the note,” Mann said. “We see a lot of sad stuff every single day, but it just really hit us all. The last line is gut-wrenching.”

Staff at the shelter felt that Lilo’s mom sincerely loved her dog and couldn’t see any option but to let her go. They could also sense that Lilo was desperatel­y missing her family.

“We decided collective­ly that we were going to do everything we can to reunite them and get them back on their feet,” said Mann, who has worked in the animal sheltering world for nearly six years and has seldom seen an owner write such a note.

“It definitely stands out,” Mann said.

Shelter staff decided to share her story on social media, in the hope that her owner might see it. They titled the Facebook post: “A Note to Lilo’s Mom: We’re here for you” and also shared a video on Tiktok.

“We are so sorry that you had to make the decision to leave her behind. We know many folks are struggling to care for their pets right now,” they wrote. “We know how hard it must

be to give up an animal you so clearly loved because you can’t provide the care she needs. We understand.

“We want you to know she is safe, and we will take the very best care of her. She will be loved by our staff and volunteers, we will keep her name, and we promise you we will do our best to find her a wonderful new home,” the post continued. “But if you are reading this, we hope you will come forward to reclaim her. We will help you with whatever you need to care for her, to the best of our ability.”

Staff assured Lilo’s mom that “we understand, we will not judge, and we are here to help in any way we can,” and also mentioned that they are “well connected” with resources and agencies that help people dealing with homelessne­ss.

It only took one day for a friend of a friend to spot the post and pass it along to Lilo’s mom — whom the shelter declined to identify to protect her privacy. She called the shelter and spoke with Mann, and later that day, Jan. 25, she came to the shelter to see Lilo, Mann said.

“There was not a dry eye in the room,” said Mann, who asked Lilo’s mom specific questions in advance to verify that she was, in fact, her owner. “I swear, if a dog could cry like a human could, she was crying.”

Lilo — who Mann described as “very fluffy,” “very, very sweet” and “well-tempered” — was ecstatic to be reunited with her human. Lilo’s mom, Mann said, was elated, too.

“We had some private conversati­ons, and she was very grateful,” Mann said. “I told her: ‘You’re not alone. There are so many people out there that are dealing with homelessne­ss

right now. It’s an awful thing to have to go through but there are resources and people who care.’”

Lilo’s mom and two young children are currently staying somewhere that does not allow animals, Mann said, and shelter staff are working with the Family Justice Center, as well as a local petfriendl­y shelter to get the family relocated promptly. Lilo, meanwhile, will stay at the shelter as long as is needed, until she can go live with her family again.

“We’re doing everything we can to expedite the process and get them back together as soon as we can,” said Mann, who previously worked at a domestic violence and sexual assault center for women. Lilo’s mom’s story, she said, “really hit my heart heavy.”

Shelter staff shared an update on social media, as many people became invested in Lilo’s story from afar, and were hoping for a happy outcome.

“We are actively working with the family to set them up with a safe haven, shelter, and resources to stay together and tackle homelessne­ss,” the post reads. “We are thankful for everyone who has advocated for the family, and shared our post.”

 ?? PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCKAMEY ANIMAL CENTER ?? An abandoned dog in Chattanoog­a, Tenn., was found Jan. 20 with this note attached to her collar. Lilo’s owner was homeless with children and could no longer care for her.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCKAMEY ANIMAL CENTER An abandoned dog in Chattanoog­a, Tenn., was found Jan. 20 with this note attached to her collar. Lilo’s owner was homeless with children and could no longer care for her.
 ?? ?? Lilo was reunited with her mom Jan. 25 at the Mckamey Animal Center. The shelter will keep Lilo until she and her family can be permanentl­y reunited.
Lilo was reunited with her mom Jan. 25 at the Mckamey Animal Center. The shelter will keep Lilo until she and her family can be permanentl­y reunited.

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