Shelter Dog On Euthanasia List Begs Houston Volunteer To Give Her A Forever Home

Madeline Smith was wrapping up her usual shift at her local animal shelter when something unexpected happened. 

She had already checked off her list of dogs to care for that day, ready to head home, when a quiet moment turned into something unforgettable. As Madeline said 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!”

That’s when she saw Maya, a black and white pit bull mix, standing up in her kennel with a wagging tail and hopeful eyes. 

She wasn’t on Madeline’s list, but it was clear the dog really wanted to be seen. As Madeline approached, Maya stood on her hind legs and gently placed her front paws on the kennel bars, silently pleading for help. 

Madeline’s heart swelled with emotion…

Madeline had fostered 54 dogs before, always with the goal of helping them find loving homes. But that day, she hadn’t planned to take another dog in. 

She was about to leave town for a short trip and didn’t think she could commit. 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!”

That was all Madeline needed to hear. She sprang into action, determined to save the sweet pup. Since she was already out of town, Amairany, another volunteer, stepped in to help.

She agreed to foster Maya for a few days until Madeline returned. Maya settled in quickly, even bonding with Amairany’s 6-year-old son. It was clear she was just waiting for someone to give her a chance. As Madeline said:

“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 got back, she officially welcomed Maya into her home. Her husband, their dog Margot, and their cat Barry all embraced Maya 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 got healthier and ready to be listed for adoption, Madeline faced a tough decision.

She had always been committed to fostering, not adopting, so she could 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.”

So on Mother’s Day, he made the (not so tough anymore) decision for her. He surprised her with the official adoption papers. 

“He’s such a good man, and I’m so glad we have our Maya now!” 

Since her adoption, Maya has blossomed. She’s still best friends with Margot, and although Barry has passed away, she often visits his memorial shelf. 

Maya may have started her journey tied to a kennel with no one to claim her, but today she’s surrounded by love, toys, and a family that adores her. She was Madeline’s very first foster fail.

“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, you can find her on Instagram.