For any dog, abandonment is a profoundly distressing experience, and the emotional impact can last long after it happens. Being separated from familiar people and surroundings can leave a dog confused and afraid.
That was the reality for Mia, a three-year-old Pit Bull from Newark, New Jersey. One night, she went to sleep as part of a family she trusted. By morning, everything had changed. Mia was left behind without explanation and tied to a fence under the cover of darkness.
Her owners left only a thin blanket and a small amount of food, leaving her alone and unsure of what had gone wrong.
Discovered In The Dark
Yasmin Rivera, a volunteer with Jersey Pits Rescue, found Mia by chance. While making her usual nighttime rounds to feed stray dogs, she came upon a heartbreaking sight.
Mia was tethered tightly to the fence, unable to move. She had been left alone in the middle of the night.
“Being abandoned by your family, tied to a fence, left alone in the middle of the night in Newark. I wonder what went through her mind as she watched her ‘family’ walk or drive away,” JPR wrote on Instagram.
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Next to her were the remnants of her past life, a blanket and a bit of food. But when Yasmin approached with gentle words and soft touches, Mia lit up with joy.
It was as if she instantly understood she was safe. And she was.
That night, Mia curled up in Yasmin’s truck, enjoying a warm takeout meal and the comfort of human kindness. By morning, she was already adjusting to life in Yasmin’s home, meeting new companions and receiving endless affection.
Despite the betrayal, Mia wore a radiant smile.
“Mia is the sweetest, most precious little soul we have ever met. We have no idea how a dog that was abandoned in this way can still be so resilient and loving,” the rescue shared in another update.
Mia spent a week with Yasmin, soaking in the warmth of a real home and discovering what love truly feels like. But her journey was just beginning.
A Foster Home That Became Forever
With support from Jersey Pits Rescue, Mia was soon placed with a foster family and it was a perfect match.
The moment she met her foster dad, Mia ran straight into his arms. Her new family quickly fell for her playful and affectionate nature. Before long, Mia was ruling the household like royalty.
It didn’t take long for the foster arrangement to become permanent. Within days, her new family knew they couldn’t part with her. Mia officially became a foster fail.
She couldn’t have been happier.
Today, Mia is thriving in her forever home. Every walk, nap, and game of fetch feels like a celebration. Her family is completely smitten and feels incredibly fortunate.
“Mia really enjoys playing fetch in the backyard, going for walks around the neighborhood, and taking lots of naps… She is so smart and so sweet, and we are so incredibly lucky to have her,” her family said, according to the JPR.
Mia’s painful past is now behind her. She’s surrounded by love, comfort, and companionship. And truly, what more could a dog ask for?
