Lotus, a one-year-old dog with a scruffy black coat, was first taken in by a county shelter before being transferred to the care of Forgotten, Now Family Rescue in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. According to the volunteers, her former owner surrendered her, simply explaining that she “no longer wanted her”. But one detail left the team heartbroken: a gold ring, resembling a wedding band, was tied to her collar where an ID tag should have been.
The rescue, which shared the story on Instagram on 7th August, received no explanation for the ring. But for many, the piece of jewellery seemed to symbolise the end of two relationships at once: Lotus's with her family, and perhaps her former owner's with a partner.
A gentle soul in distress
When she arrived, Lotus seemed frightened and bewildered. In the photos shared by the rescue, her eyes reflected her worry and confusion. Despite everything, the volunteers described her as “so sweet”.
A fresh start
In the United States, around 2.8 million dogs and cats were taken in by shelters and rescues in the first half of 2025, according to Shelter Animals Count. But few stories are marked by such a personal detail. For Lotus, the transition to a new home was swift: after her story was published, several adoption applications came flooding in.
Today, Lotus is living with her new family and is gradually settling into her new life. Forgotten, Now Family Rescue says that she is “doing wonderfully” and is regaining her confidence. While many people online were saddened by her story, others pointed out that it’s important not to judge too quickly. Her former owner may have been trying to protect her from a dangerous situation. Whatever the reason, Lotus has found a second chance, far from her past.
