A seemingly ordinary trip to Dollar General for ice turned into a life-changing event for a Texas couple, who are known for their dedication to rescuing stray dogs in their community. Kristin Erwin and her husband, both passionate animal lovers and advocates, had no idea that their quick errand would lead them to an abandoned dog in desperate need of help. This chance encounter would not only alter the course of the dog’s life but would also highlight the couple’s unwavering commitment to giving homeless animals a second chance at happiness and security.
Kristin and her husband have made it their mission to help the countless stray dogs in their neighborhood, offering them food, shelter, and, when possible, a permanent home. On this particular day, their only plan was to stop by Dollar General to pick up some ice. However, fate had a different plan in store.
As they pulled into the parking lot, a cheerful and friendly dog immediately caught their attention. The dog, with her wagging tail and joyful demeanor, approached them as soon as they stepped out of the car. It was as if she knew they were her ticket to a better life. Kristin, drawn to the dog’s friendly and hopeful nature, sat down beside her on the curb, taking a moment to connect with the lonely pup. As they sat together, Kristin couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant to help this dog.
As they sat together, Kristin couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant to help this dog. The connection was instant, and it became clear that leaving her behind was not an option. The store clerk, noticing Kristin’s interest in the dog, informed her that the dog had been wandering around the Dollar General for over a week and urged her to take the dog home.
With the clerk’s encouragement, Kristin made the decision to bring the dog, whom they later named Shortcakes, home with them. Shortcakes, as if sensing that her life was about to change for the better, eagerly followed Kristin and her husband to their car. Without needing a leash or any coaxing, Shortcakes jumped into their van, her tail wagging furiously. “She is the sweetest girl,” Kristin later shared, “and jumped right into our van without a moment’s hesitation.” It was as if she knew she was finally safe.
The ride home was filled with joy and affection. Shortcakes showered Kristin and her husband with grateful licks from the backseat, her tail never stopping its happy wag. She seemed to understand that she was now part of a family, no longer alone in the world. Once home, the first order of business was a much-needed bath. Despite her strong odor from living on the streets, Shortcakes remained cheerful and cooperative, seemingly grateful for the care and attention she was finally receiving.
Kristin shared a video of the rescue on social media, and it quickly went viral, touching the hearts of viewers around the world. Comments poured in, with many expressing their happiness for Shortcakes and admiration for Kristin and her husband’s kindness. One viewer wrote, “Best trip to Dollar General EVER!!!!” while another observed, “It looks like they kept her puppies and dumped her. She’s so sweet.”
As the video circulated, people began to wonder about Shortcakes’ history and whether she had been abandoned after having puppies. Kristin, understanding the concerns, took the time to provide an update on Shortcakes’ situation. Kristin, who also runs the dog rescue organization StreetHeartsTX, revealed that Shortcakes had been taken to the veterinarian for a thorough check-up. She explained, “Shortcakes is happy to be off the streets. She wasn’t microchipped, and it doesn’t appear that anyone is looking for her. We gave her Nexgard for fleas, and she received her vaccines, ProHeart6, a heartworm test, and was spayed.”
Unfortunately, during her visit to the vet, it was discovered that Shortcakes tested positive for heartworms, a common and serious condition in stray dogs. Kristin knew that Shortcakes would need to undergo a lengthy and challenging treatment to rid her of the heartworms, but she was committed to ensuring that Shortcakes received the best care possible.
Kristin also addressed the comments about whether Shortcakes had been nursing or had left behind puppies. She clarified, “I saw all the concerned comments about us possibly leaving puppies behind and asking if we searched for the puppies. Shortcakes was not nursing; she was pregnant, and we chose to spay abort. Unfortunately, we have hundreds of homeless puppies and pregnant street dogs roaming, waiting for someone to help. They are suffering and dying due to no fosters, no adopters, and it doesn’t make sense to force Shortcakes to add more when there’s not enough homes. If a dog can be safely spayed, that’s the route we have to take.”
For Kristin, the decision to spay abort Shortcakes was not an easy one, but it was necessary given the overwhelming number of homeless dogs in their area. As a seasoned rescuer, Kristin has seen firsthand the suffering and challenges faced by stray dogs, especially pregnant ones. She explained, “Shortcakes is the 357th dog we’ve taken in to our home. If you don’t live here or foster the number of dogs we do, it can be hard to comprehend how bad it is. Angry, upset? Me too, become a foster home today.”
The harsh reality is that there are simply not enough resources or homes for all the stray and abandoned dogs, and difficult decisions must be made to prevent further suffering. Kristin’s plea for more foster homes reflects the urgent need for community support in addressing the stray dog crisis.
As Shortcakes begins her heartworm treatment, she will be closely monitored and cared for by Kristin and her husband. The treatment process will take approximately three months, during which time Shortcakes will continue to receive the love and attention she deserves. Once her treatment is complete, Shortcakes will be available for adoption, ready to find her forever home.
In the meantime, Shortcakes is thriving in her new environment. She is loving the attention she is receiving and is being spoiled with treats, toys, and affection. Kristin frequently shares updates on Shortcakes’ progress, and it’s clear that this sweet dog is enjoying every moment of her new life. Shortcakes’ happy and friendly disposition has already made her a favorite among Kristin’s followers, and there is no doubt that she will bring immense joy to whoever is lucky enough to adopt her.
Shockingly, this is not the first time she has faced animal cruelty charges; she has a past conviction for similar crimes. We must ensure that no more animals suffer or die in her care!
Shortcakes’ story is a powerful reminder of the impact that a single act of kindness can have. What started as a simple trip to Dollar General for ice ended up changing a dog’s life forever. Thanks to Kristin and her husband’s compassion, Shortcakes now has a second chance at life and the opportunity to experience the love and security of a forever home.
For those inspired by Shortcakes’ story, there are many ways to help dogs like her. Becoming a foster home, donating to rescue organizations, or simply spreading the word about the importance of spaying and neutering can make a significant difference in the lives of stray and abandoned dogs. And for those looking to add a new furry friend to their family, adoption is always a wonderful option.
Click the video below to watch this incredible story!
@streetheartstx Replying to @bebabebe365(yadi) Sorry for the delayed update! I share more on Instagram. Shortcakes is happy to be off the streets. She wasn’t microchipped and doesn’t appear anyone is looking for her. We gave her Nexgard for fleas and took her to the vet for vaccines, ProHeart6, Heartworm test and spay. Unfortunately she tested positive for Heartworms and will have to go through the same lengthy treatment our other foster dogs are going through ☹️ I saw all the concerned comments about us possibly leaving puppies behind and asking if we searched for the puppies. Shortcakes was not nursing, she was pregnant and we chose to spay abort. Unfortunately we have hundreds of homeless puppies and pregnant street dogs roaming waiting for someone to help. They are suffering and dying due to no fosters, no adopters and it doesn’t make sense to force Shortcakes to add more when there’s not enough homes. If a dog can be safely spayed, that’s the route we have to take. She is the 357th dog we’ve taken in to our home. If you don’t live here or foster the amount of dogs we do, it can be hard to comprehend how bad it is. Angry, upset? Me too, become a foster home today. If you leave hateful comments, I hope you are volunteering all your time fostering mom+litters. Our streets and shelters are drowning in them and we can’t keep up. I have fostered multiple mom+litters myself and it’s not without risks. They can have labor complications, need ER visits that cost thousands, some moms don’t want to nurse at all or don’t have milk, they can become aggressive, mastitis, it’s not uncommon for puppies to fade first couple weeks, this is all stressful on mom and the foster. We’re helping her avoid all these unnecessary risks with a simple spay and now we can move on to getting her healthy and adopted ❤️
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