Abandoning an animal isn’t just devastating—it’s also illegal. There are dozens of ways to help an animal in need without leaving them to fend for themselves, but sadly, many dogs like Layla are abandoned simply because their first guardian could no longer care for them.
Layla, a gentle and loving Pit Bull, was found tied to a pole in the middle of the night in Houston, Texas. Kindhearted neighbors heard her barking and brought her blankets to keep her warm until help arrived, but she soon found herself in an even more dire situation. Because of her skin issues, which may have been why she was originally abandoned, she did not have long until she was scheduled to be put to sleep.
Poor Layla! Her skin must be so uncomfortable, but she’s still the gentlest soul despite all she’s been through. As heartbreaking as it is to see her in this condition, it’s also incredibly inspiring to see just how brave this rescue dog is.
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Sadly, resilience is sometimes not enough to guarantee safety in an overcrowded animal shelter. The difficult decision was made to put Layla on the euthanasia list because of her fragile medical condition. Even though shelter volunteer @bristexastails only received Layla’s information 24 hours before her time would be up, commenters quickly proved just how loved the shelter dog would be in a home.
“With medical treatment, she’d recover and be the best dog,” commented @jessicalaurrr. “This life is so unfair. She doesn’t deserve that.”
Fortunately, a local rescue saw Layla’s video and fell in love with her right away. So did a volunteer foster parent, who helped pull her from the shelter just in the nick of time.
Congratulations, Layla! Every dog deserves a loving space of their very own, even if it’s a temporary foster home. After seeing her looking sad and hopeless in the shelter, she looks like an entirely new dog while zooming around the yard!
Rescue Dog Decompression
This is only the beginning of the journey for this sweet rescue dog, which goes ot show how much a dog’s life can change once they’re rescued by the right person. No matter how perfect the match is, however, it’s important to let new foster and rescue dogs take their time while adjusting to their new home. It’s a lot of changes in a short amount of time.
Many rescue dogs spend several hours to several weeks hiding in their preferred safe spaces, and even this decompression is an important piece of the equation. Decompression may begin with long naps, but it’s also a way for dogs to reflect and rest once they finally feel safe.
Layla may still be decompressing in her new foster home, but she has the sweetest way to show her love and appreciation. Those zoomies are priceless, and there’s even more to come!
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This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Nov 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.