Valenda Cortez was on her way to a convenience store in her pajamas and slippers when she noticed a dog sitting alone in the parking lot. It was pouring rain. The dog seemed unwilling to budge. The poor creature had clearly been abandoned and was fearful for his safety.

Feeling compassion for the animals, Valinda got out of her car. Gently wrap a blanket around the shivering puppy. At first the dog did not react completely even when Valinda extended a helping hand.

Determined to gain the dogs’ trust, Valinda stayed with them in the parking lot for a while. It was dog fur. Tangled, with a cut in his leg. A heartbreaking scene for Valinda.

To seek help for their friend Valinda, she called Sue Massey. Her companion who also dedicates herself to saving local strays. Sue immediately arrived on scene with an animal control officer. Working together, they were able to get the dog to get into their car so he could be transported safely to a shelter.

Within days of receiving love and care from kind-hearted individuals like Valinda and Sue Casey. As they called it. She began to regain her cheerful spirit again.

After cleaning it it looks completely different!

“I feel that she has been let down by humans. I hope that with the food, the warm blanket and the love I’ve given her, she’ll start to trust people again,” Valenda shared with The Dodo.

Cassie is now being matched with adopters and Valinda believes there is a lesson to be learned from the dogs’ story.

“There are always options,” she said. “Imagine if I ignored this hungry dog and drove on. She would have frozen to death. She had been hit by a car, among other things. It’s not hard to find a home that takes care of your pet.”