“I felt so sad for her.”
For over week, a skinny, frightened black dog had been spotted roaming the streets of Youngstown, Ohio. Believed to have been abandoned by some cruel person, the pup was understandably wary of anyone trying to help her.
“The poor girl was limping and very frail,” Megan Zarlenga of the Mahoning County Dog Warden told The Dodo. “Deputy Keith Stokes recognized her from many days of trying to catch her during the previous week. He had tried repeatedly, but she would never let him get close to her.”
On Wednesday, Stokes and police officer Megan Feidler managed to track down the terrified dog — but her mind was still far from at ease.
So, taking a gentle approach, Feidler decided to earn the pup’s trust.
She sat down on the ground to convince her she was finally safe.
“I felt so sad for her,” Feidler told The Dodo. “She was obviously scared and very skinny. Eventually, she laid down next to me, and I’m just talking to her and petting her, letting her know it’s OK.”
In time, Feidler was able to put a leash on the dog to lead her to safety.
“[In the van], she quickly closed her eyes and went to sleep,” Zarlenga said. “She was exhausted.”
Once in the care of volunteers from Friends of Fido Animal Rescue, it was discovered that the dog had a broken hip, for which she is now being treated.
They named her Maeve.
“We do not know what she has been through, but she has a bright future ahead of her,” Zarlenga said. “So many people are in her corner.”
For her actions that day, ushering Maeve back from the shadows of hopelessness, Feidler has been dubbed an “angel” by commenters online. All it took was patience, understanding and a kind heart.
“Once I was able to get the leash on her,” Feidler said, “I was happy because she can get the care she needs and find a home that will love her unconditionally.”