Skip to main content

Shelter begs for an ‘angel’ to adopt dying dog to fill her final days with love

There are so many shelters across the United States that are full of dogs who want nothing more than a loving home and family to call their own. And while each and every one of them is deserving of that, one shelter in North Carolina is going above and beyond the call of duty to try and get one of their pups adopted.

The SPCA of Wake County in North Carolina posted an urgent message to their Facebook page on Tuesday in the hopes of finding an “angel” to adopt Joyanna, a dog who was surrendered to their shelter at 10 years old who is dying of terminal cancer. She has a mammary tumor the size of a volleyball, and sadly, the cancer has spread and surgery is not an option. The poor pup is also battling heartworms. If her condition isn’t bad enough, the staff at the shelter explained in the post, “We learned Joyanna has spent her whole life outside, and she wasn’t given much attention.”

Recommended Videos

All they want is for this sweet dog to experience love and comfort in her final days. They went on to say, “We don’t know exactly how long she has, whether it’s days or weeks or longer, but we believe she shouldn’t have to spend her last days in a shelter. She deserves to spend this time in a warm home surrounded by the love of a family. Somewhere she can be held, spoiled, and feel safe.”

Cue. The. Tears.

You can read the entire post from the SPCA below.

Not surprisingly, there’s been an outpouring of love and support for Joyanna. Commenters on the post are sending well wishes and prayers that she winds up in a loving home, and plenty of people are sharing the post to their own social media feeds in the hopes that it will land in front of someone who is able to take this precious dog in.

As focused as the shelter is on finding Joyanna a home in which to spend her final days on this earth, they understand that there are plenty of people who want to help but aren’t in a position to be able to adopt a dog right now. As part of their end-of-the-year fundraiser, all donations made to the SPCA will be triple matched. This is a wonderful way to give back to help ensure that this wonderful organization is able to help as many animals as possible going forward.

Hopefully, they’ll post an update letting everyone know whether this sweet girl found someone to shower her with love and affection during her last days on this earth. Every dog deserves a chance at a happy, safe life, no matter how short the rest of their time might be.

Mary Hawkins
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mary is a writer and editor who has been in the online space since 2009 when she started her former-and-once-very-popular…
Why you shouldn’t yell at a dog for destroying your home
Your dog destroyed your house (Step one: Don't yell)
Black puppy on the floor looking up

You left your home with a couch full of brand-new throw pillows with tags still on after a Home Goods or Target haul. In need of a coffee, you make the last exit, head to the local shop, and come back with your drink of choice in hand. You walk in the door ready to snuggle with your dog (and those throw pillows).

The problem? The throw pillows have been destroyed, and the couch is in dire straits. Your jaw is on the floor, as is the coffee you dropped.

Read more
5 telltale signs of dog joint pain you should never ignore
Here's what to watch out for
Someone stretches a Weimaraner dog's front leg

If pet parents had it our way, our furry friends would never feel pain or illness. Unfortunately, though, we don’t have the power to protect our pets from everything in the world, so issues like chronic pain still exist. Before you get too worried — most medical concerns that our dogs face can be remedied with all kinds of medications and treatments, so no pup has to suffer.

Dog joint pain is one of those examples. There are a number of ways to treat it — possibly even for good — but you’ll have to find out what caused it first. You can start by looking for certain signs of dog joint pain as your buddy goes about their everyday life, then talking to your vet about the best plan of treatment. Of course, you can give home remedies a try, but it’s always recommended to consult your trusted veterinarian.
What does joint pain in dogs look like?

Read more
Dog stung by a bee? Here’s what to do, according to vets
Treating dog bee stings at home and with your veterinarian
A dachshund dog standing beneath yellow flowers

There are so many reasons to love springtime, whether you're a human or a dog. From the beautiful blooms and adorable baby animals — the longer days and warmer weather are only the beginning! Spring is the perfect time to plan an outdoor activity with your furry friend, though it's always important to be mindful of springtime hazards for dogs, like bee stings.

Seeing your dog stung by a bee is never fun, but you'll be glad to know that it's rarely a big deal. Most dogs experience no symptoms besides minor pain and swelling, but it's always good to know what to keep an eye out for. Your eagle-eyed view could be the difference between a minor injury and a major, life-threatening reaction.
How can you tell if your dog was stung by a bee?

Read more