On a cold evening wrapped in fog, Emily Orr was driving home from her mom’s place in Parkville, Missouri, when something made her take notice.
As she passed a neighborhood dog park, she caught the sound of faint, upset cries, just enough to make her ease off the gas.
She didn’t know what was going on, but she also couldn’t pretend she hadn’t heard it, so she pulled over to check.
When she walked up to the locked gate and peered through the fence, she saw a small dog looking straight at her with those begging eyes that say everything without a single word. The little pup seemed terrified and completely on his own.
Help Arrives Just In Time
Orr’s heart sank. She immediately felt the urge to help but couldn’t leave her young daughter alone in the car.
She called both the police and her mother, asking them to come quickly. In the meantime, she drove around the area, hoping to spot someone who might be looking for the dog.
No one was there. The dog, later named Emilia, was clearly alone and frightened.
Emilia ran alongside Orr’s car, following her movements along the fence. When Orr rolled down the window, the dog cried and looked at her with heartbreaking eyes.
Not long after, Orr’s mom and the police arrived.
As soon as Emilia saw the officers, her tail started wagging with joy. She ran right over and jumped into Orr’s mom’s car.
“She came to us right away and was unbelievably excited! She was wagging her tail. She jumped right into my mom’s car. She was loving the treats my mom had brought and tried to stick her whole head in the box,” Orr told The Dodo.
It became clear that Emilia had been neglected. She was underweight and looked worn down.
Orr believed she was likely abandoned around sunset. Had she been left out in the cold much longer, her condition could have worsened.
A Temporary Home And A Loyal Heart
Orr’s mom brought Emilia home that night. At first, the pup was anxious and barked nonstop, making it difficult for anyone to sleep.
The next day, a new kennel helped her settle in. Emilia quickly showed she had great manners and a sweet temperament.
Every night, she’d climb into her kennel by herself and drift off to sleep.
As she got more comfortable, her personality began to shine. She played with toys and formed a surprising bond with the household cats.
One night, her loyalty took center stage.
Orr’s mom suddenly collapsed from intense abdominal pain. While waiting for medical help, she lay on the floor in agony.
Emilia immediately ran to her side and gently rested her head on her stomach, refusing to leave her caregiver alone.
“Prior to my mom’s surgery, while she [lay] on the floor in excruciating abdominal pain, Emilia laid by my mom’s side and gently rested her head on my mom’s stomach,” Orr shared.
Although Orr’s mom couldn’t adopt Emilia permanently, she was determined to help her find the loving home she deserved.
She contacted Friends of Parkville Shelter, who placed Emilia with a kind foster family.
Now, Emilia is thriving—but she’s still waiting for her forever home. After everything she’s been through, she more than deserves it.
