Carmela, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois, was found with deep wounds on her front legs, not from abuse, but from heartbreak.
Discovered on 4 April by volunteer Kels McDonough, Carmela stood out immediately.
Desperation for love
While most shelter dogs retreat in fear, Carmela pushes her paws through the bars, silently begging for attention. That’s when McDonough notices the injuries, raw cuts exactly where Carmela presses against the kennel fencing every single day.
“These aren’t wounds from violence,” McDonough said. “They’re from desperation.”
Carmela’s longing, repeating the same painful ritual each day, struck a chord online. McDonough’s TikTok post, featuring Carmela’s gentle eyes and hopeful stance, has garnered over 370,000 views, accompanied by thousands of emotional reactions.
“She’s been through too much,” one user wrote, echoing a common sentiment. Another warned that while empathy is vital, these dogs also need proper care and stimulation.
Happiness at last!
Then came the miracle: just two days later, TikTok user @collpowerss and her husband adopted Carmela, bringing her story full circle. “She is SO cute. She slept through the whole first night,” they shared.
Carmela will never have to hurt herself in search of love again.
