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Woman Takes Shelter Dog On Day Trip But Can’t Bring Her Back

By: Julie Hunt
Julie Hunt is an avid dog lover and writer for iHeartDogs.com, and has a background as a veterinary technician. She rescued a beautiful former bait dog named Rory.Read more
| December 26, 2024

As we all know, falling in love with dogs is an easy thing to do, and that is why many humans make dog ownership a priority. But for some, owning a dog isn’t always possible. To fill that void, many people choose to dedicate their time to volunteering at animal shelters. One such dog lover decided to give back in the best way she could. Though she didn’t have a dog of her own, Julia Zupan became a volunteer at her local shelter, Cincinnati Animal Care, where she spent her days taking shelter dogs on outings to give them a break from kennel life.

margottherescue/TikTok

Julia loved spending time with the dogs, knowing it benefited them just as much as it did her. These day trips allowed the dogs to relax, play, and enjoy a sense of freedom, even if only for a little while. She often captured their adventures in photos and shared them on social media, which helped increase their chances of finding forever homes. While each trip ended with the difficult task of returning the dogs to their kennels, Julia found joy in knowing she was making a difference. But one day, everything changed when she met a special Bully mix named Margot.

On their first day together, Julia had planned to spend time at her home before taking Margot on a tour of Cincinnati. However, their plans took an unexpected turn. In just an hour, Margot snuggled up to Julia, laying her whole body across her and falling into a peaceful nap. It was a moment of connection that Julia hadn’t experienced before. She was immediately drawn to Margot’s personality and knew this wasn’t an ordinary outing.

margotherescue/TikTok

This was a life-changing realization for Julia, who was only planning to spend the day with the pup. She couldn’t imagine letting Margot go. For the volunteer, it was love at first sight. And Margot felt exactly the same! Margot soon became her new family member, and Julia was determined to give her the life she deserved.

Margot’s past was a mystery. She had been found in a parking lot and had spent far too long at the shelter, misunderstood due to her leash reactivity. While some may have seen her as a challenge, Julia saw a loving soul who just needed patience and understanding. Their bond was undeniable from the start, and Margot quickly began thriving in her new home.

margottherescue/TikTok

As the days turned into weeks, Margot settled into her new life, and the joy she brought Julia was immeasurable. Julia documented their adventures on TikTok, sharing videos that showcased their incredible connection. Many of the videos went viral, highlighting not just their love but also breaking stereotypes about reactive or “unadoptable” dogs.

Margot’s story resonated with people everywhere, proving that all dogs are deserving of love and second chances. Through Julia’s dedication and Margot’s transformation, they’ve become a powerful example of the life-changing impact of giving a misunderstood dog a chance to shine.

Heartbreaking Discovery: Dozens of Dogs Found After Cruelty Charges
Heartbreaking Discovery: Dozens of Dogs Found After Cruelty Charges

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!

Together, they’re spreading a message of hope and kindness, showing that every dog has the potential to live its best life when given the love they deserve.

Fun Fact: Since the story’s been shared, Margot has won People’s 2024 Cutest Rescue Dog of the Year! How awesome is that!? Congrats, sweet girl, and thank you, Julia, for giving this deserving pup a wonderful new life.

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@margottherescue I always cried after taking pups out of the shelter but just knew this girl loved me as much as I loved her #fyp #rescuedog #rescueadvocate #dogsoftiktok #adoptdontshop ♬ Bundle of Joy – Jartisto

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