“She jumped right into my mom’s car …”
On a freezing winter night in Parkville, Missouri, Emily Orr was driving home from her mom’s house when a distant cry stopped her in her tracks. The streets were foggy and desolate — no place for anyone to be out, especially not a dog.
But what Emily heard was unmistakable: a dog crying for help from a closed, locked dog park.
Despite the dangerous weather and poor visibility, Emily refused to ignore it. She turned her car toward the park, her instincts telling her something was very wrong.
“I pulled up to the dog park and saw [a] dog. I was shocked,” Orr told The Dodo. “I couldn’t believe somebody actually left their dog!”
With her young daughter in the backseat, Emily didn’t want to approach the park alone. She called the non-emergency police and her mother. As she circled the park, the abandoned dog followed her car, crying and whining with every lap.
“It felt like she was definitely as scared of the park at night as I was and wanted help,” Emily said.
When Emily’s mom and the police arrived, the dog — later named Emilia — ran straight to them. She was wagging her tail, eager for attention, and ready for love.
“She jumped right into my mom’s car,” Orr recalled. “She was loving the treats my mom had brought and tried to stick her whole head in the box!”
A Starving Dog, A Cold Night, A Second Chance
Though full of energy, Emilia was dangerously thin. Emily believes she hadn’t been in the dog park long — likely dumped after sunset — but in the freezing cold, even one night could’ve been fatal.
“She would have suffered and possibly died spending the night in the park without shelter and in her emaciated state,” Orr said. “Thankfully, she wasn’t there for long!”
That night, Emily’s mom brought Emilia home. The dog was overwhelmed with anxiety — barking nonstop and chewing the furniture. The next day, they purchased a dog kennel — and Emilia immediately calmed down.
“It became very obvious that this dog was kennel trained and house trained,” Emily said. “She would put herself in the kennel at night and go to sleep. I cannot express how gentle this dog is.”
A Life-Changing Act of Loyalty
Within days, Emilia’s personality began to shine. She bonded with her new toys — especially a stuffed Lamb Chop — and even won over the household’s senior cats. But it wasn’t until tragedy struck that Emilia showed just how special she was.
One night, Emily’s mom collapsed with a ruptured appendix. As she lay on the floor in agony, Emilia stayed by her side.
“Emilia laid by my mom’s side and gently rested her head on my mom’s stomach,” Orr said.
From Abandonment to Hope
Sadly, Emily’s mom couldn’t keep Emilia, but she was determined to help her find a new home. With the help of Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter, Emilia was placed with a foster family — and has been thriving ever since.
Now, this once-abandoned pup is healthy, happy, and ready for adoption. She’s looking for a forever family to call her own — someone who will love her as much as she loves them.
“I hope she finds her forever home,” Orr said.
Are You Looking to Adopt a Dog?
If you’ve been searching for a loving rescue dog with a heart of gold, Emilia could be the perfect match. She’s gentle, loyal, house-trained, and ready to bring joy to a new family. Contact your local animal shelter or pet adoption agency to learn more about rescuing a dog like Emilia.
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