Cinnamon was left at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control shelter in North Carolina, overwhelmed with grief. Separated from her puppies, she couldn’t help but cry whenever someone stopped to interact with her. Her plight caught the attention of a volunteer, who decided to film her anguish and share it on Facebook. Within 48 hours, Cinnamon’s circumstances took a drastic turn. Sarah Jennings Sleime, a volunteer for the Greater Charlotte SPCA, felt compelled to visit animal control on a whim one Saturday to check on some dogs for rescue.
Unprepared for the emotional impact, Sleime is deeply moved by Cinnamon, who is visibly distressed by being separated from her pups. Every attempt to talk to the dog resulted in tears filling Cinnamon’s eyes. Despite the SPCA’s limitations in rescuing large dogs due to a lack of foster homes, Sleime felt an urgent need to help.
She shared a video of Cinnamon’s dire situation on Facebook, which quickly garnered 1 million views and 20,000 shares. Sleime’s efforts to find Cinnamon a home were met with an overwhelming response, with hundreds of inquiries flooding in.
Among the many touched by the video was Meghan Connor Shelton from Charlotte, North Carolina. Shelton and his family eagerly meet Cinnamon the next morning and they instantly fall in love. They quickly completed the adoption process, and Cinnamon, now renamed Rosie, was ready.
They welcomed him into their home. The family’s other dog, a 3-year-old Pit Bull named Blu, was initially concerned about their compatibility. However, Rosie exceeds all expectations, quickly forming a strong bond with Blu as if they have known each other all their lives.
Rosie’s heartwarming story not only secured her a loving home but also highlighted the plight of many shelter dogs, inspiring others to adopt from both shelter and rescue groups.
