This Dog Was Dumped Beside A Virginia Highway After Years Of Being Treated Like She Did Not Matter
A severely neglected dog found on a rural Virginia highway was terrified of her new surroundings, until one heartbreaking moment on her first night proved she finally had a real family.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
Poptart’s early life was nothing short of a nightmare. Found discarded on the side of a rural highway in Virginia, she was in desperate need of help.
Veterinarians at the shelter determined she had been used for heavy breeding. They suspected she had been kept in a small cage on a dirt floor in a dark area.
To make matters worse, she had recently undergone an improper C-section. Once she was no longer deemed useful, she was simply thrown away.
Meeting Poptart
When Kate and AJ first met Poptart at the shelter, the poor dog was absolutely terrified of her surroundings.
She was significantly underweight, and her shoulders were hunched over. She looked like a profoundly sad and broken girl.
Despite her fear, Kate and AJ knew they had to help her. One week later, they officially took her out of the shelter.
A Heart-Wrenching First Night
Bringing Poptart home was a huge adjustment. She was incredibly scared of everything in her new environment.
That evening, Kate and AJ made dinner, went into their small backyard, and lit a fire. Poptart found a pillow in the yard and quietly laid down on it.
When it was time to go inside, Kate and AJ got up to head into the house. What happened next broke their hearts.
Realizing She Was Home
Poptart wagged her tail at them, turned in a little circle, and laid back down in the grass to sleep.
She had no idea she was actually allowed inside the house. She assumed the yard was where she was supposed to stay.
Kate and AJ immediately called her inside. From that moment forward, Poptart realized she was safe, and she quickly became the queen of the house.
Discovering Joy and Snow
As Poptart settled in, her true personality began to shine. She proved to be a surprisingly athletic dog, getting sudden bursts of speed.
She is definitely a sprinter, not a marathon runner. She also discovered a deep love for the snow.
When it snows at their home, Poptart refuses to come back inside, preferring to play and roll in the winter wonderland.
Quirks and Dreams
Poptart has some endearing quirks. She snores loudly, and her parents can even identify the different “styles” of her snoring.
She almost never barks while awake, except for one small bark if she feels her parents aren’t playing with her hard or fast enough.
However, she is a very vocal sleeper. When she dreams, she barks loudly, as if she’s yelling at someone in her sleep.
The Mealtime Dance
One thing that has never changed is Poptart’s sheer joy at mealtime. From the very first day she was adopted, she has celebrated every meal.
She spins in circles and does a happy little dance whenever it’s time to eat.
Even six years later, every single meal is met with the exact same amount of jubilation as that very first bowl of food.
A New Brother and a Gentle Soul
Poptart’s life got even better when her parents adopted another dog named Doug. The two became instant best friends.
They play together, eat together, and sleep together, almost always touching each other.
Despite the stigma sometimes associated with her blocky head, Poptart is incredibly gentle. Her parents are heartbroken when strangers ignore her on patios to pet Doug, because they know she is just a big, sweet “lump of mashed potatoes” who finally has the beautiful life she deserves.
