When Sarah Jennings Sleime, a volunteer for the Greater Charlotte SPCA, visited the Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control shelter in North Carolina, she had no idea that one particular dog would capture her heart and the hearts of millions around the world.
Cinnamon, a red nose Pitbull, had been dumped at the shelter without her babies. The heartbroken mama dog sat slumped in her kennel, tears filling her eyes every time someone stopped to talk to her.
The Power of Social Media
Moved by Cinnamon’s story, Sleime decided to film a short video of the crying Pitbull and post it on Facebook. Little did she know that this simple act would completely change Cinnamon’s life in just 48 hours.
Someone dumped this poor mama at the shelter, minus her babies. Every time I stopped to talk to her and say I was sorry her eyes would fill with tears. Heartbreaking!!
Sleime shared on her Facebook post.
Shelter workers believed that Cinnamon had been confined and used as a breeding machine, forced to have many litters over the years.
Without a foster home available, the SPCA was unable to rescue any large dogs, but Sleime knew she had to do something to help this devastated mother.
A Family Falls in Love
The viral video caught the attention of Meghan Connor Shelton from Charlotte, North Carolina. Shelton, who has a special place in her heart for Pitbulls, watched the video with her family and knew they had to meet Cinnamon.
It was love at first sight. She just kind of pulled at our heartstrings,
Shelton said.
The very next morning, Shelton and her family were first in line to meet Cinnamon. They filled out the necessary paperwork, and as soon as Cinnamon – now known as Rosie – was spayed, they brought her home to join their family, which included a 3-year-old Pitbull named Blu.
Despite Rosie’s difficult past, she surprised everyone with how quickly she adapted to her new life.
Rosie and Blu became fast friends, enjoying each other’s company as if they had known one another their entire lives.
As Rosie settled into her forever home, her personality blossomed. The Shelton family discovered that when Rosie gets excited, she snorts like a pig – an endearing quirk that makes them love her even more.
A Happy Ending and New Beginnings
Rosie’s touching video not only secured her a loving forever home but also helped many other dogs at the shelter find their own happy endings.
Families who came to adopt Rosie ended up saving other dogs, freeing up space in the crowded shelter for strays and owner surrenders who might have otherwise faced euthanasia.
Small acts have a big impact: Not only was this sweet dog, Cinnamon, adopted the next morning, but other families who came to adopt her saved other dogs at the shelter, freeing up kennels for strays and owner surrenders waiting in the back who would have certainly been euthanized as the shelter is full,
Sleime said.
Rosie’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact one simple video or photo can have on the life of a shelter dog.
By sharing her heartbreaking tale, Sleime not only changed Rosie’s life but also inspired countless others to open their hearts and homes to dogs in need.
If you’re considering adding a furry family member to your household, visit the CMPD Animal Care and Control page or the Greater Charlotte SPCA‘s website to learn more about the adoptable dogs waiting for their own second chance at happiness, just like Rosie.