Shelter Dog On Euthanasia List Begs Houston Volunteer For A Forever Home
Madeline Smith was finishing up her usual shift at her local animal shelter when something unexpected stopped her in her tracks.
She had checked off her list of dogs for the day, ready to head home, when a quiet moment turned unforgettable. As she recalled in an interview:
“I was actually walking down the ward to leave for the day when an act of God turned my head and made me look at her. She immediately got up from her bed and jumped up with a waggy tail to greet me!”
It was Maya, a black and white pit bull mix, standing on her hind legs in her kennel with a wagging tail and hopeful eyes. She wasn’t on Madeline’s list, but it was clear this dog wanted to be seen.
Maya pressed her front paws gently against the kennel bars, silently pleading for attention. Madeline felt her heart swell instantly.
Madeline had fostered 54 dogs before, always aiming to help them find loving homes. That day, she hadn’t planned to take another dog in, she was about to leave town for a short trip. Still, Maya stayed on her mind.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about her and knew I had to foster her. When she ended up on the euthanasia list, that was it!”
Determined to save Maya, Madeline sprang into action. Since she was away, Amairany, another volunteer, agreed to foster Maya for a few days. Maya settled in quickly, even bonding with Amairany’s six-year-old son. Madeline shared:
“She settled in great and became friends with Amairany’s 6-year-old son, too! It’s a lot easier being in rescue with the community that surrounds it!”
When Madeline returned, she officially welcomed Maya into her home. Her husband, their dog Margot, and their cat Barry all embraced her like she’d always been part of the family.
“She fit in so seamlessly with our fam and felt like she’d been here all along!”
Over the next few weeks, Maya underwent heartworm treatment while soaking up all the love her foster family had to offer. But as she recovered and became ready for adoption, Madeline faced a difficult decision.
She had always focused on fostering to help as many dogs as possible, but Maya was different. Letting her go didn’t feel right.
“My husband had to bear with me crying about it for weeks, and deep down, he knew I was never really at peace with letting her go. I once told him that whether we kept her or sent her, I just wanted it to be his fault (lol), so he made the decision so I didn’t have to.”
On Mother’s Day, he surprised her with the official adoption papers. Madeline said, smiling:
“He’s such a good man, and I’m so glad we have our Maya now!”
Since then, Maya has flourished. She’s still best friends with Margot, and though Barry has passed, she often visits his memorial shelf. From a dog tied to a kennel with no one to claim her, Maya now enjoys toys, snuggles, and a family that adores her.
“If you can just let the first foster go … it gets easier each time, until a Maya comes into your life. Then, you’ll know.”
To follow Maya’s adventures and see more of Madeline’s rescue work, check out her Instagram.
