When Cinnamon, a red nose Pitbull, was abandoned at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control shelter in North Carolina, her heartbreak was evident to everyone who saw her. Separated from her puppies, Cinnamon was overwhelmed with sadness. Each time someone stopped to speak to her, tears would well up in her eyes—a heartbreaking sight that quickly caught the attention of a shelter volunteer.
That volunteer, Sarah Jennings Sleime, who usually helps out with the Greater Charlotte SPCA, decided to make a spontaneous visit to the animal control shelter one Saturday. It was during this visit that she encountered Cinnamon, sitting slumped over in a human-like manner, clearly grieving the loss of her pups. Sarah immediately noticed that Cinnamon had recently given birth and was devastated by the absence of her babies. The shelter workers believed that Cinnamon had been used as a breeding dog, forced to have litter after litter before being abandoned.
Sarah was deeply moved by Cinnamon’s plight and filmed a short video of the sorrowful Pitbull, posting it on Facebook in hopes of finding her a loving home. The response was immediate and overwhelming—within 48 hours, the video had been viewed over a million times and shared by more than 20,000 people. Messages flooded Sarah’s inbox, with countless people eager to adopt Cinnamon and give her the love she deserved.
Among those who saw the video was Meghan Connor Shelton from Charlotte, North Carolina. Meghan, who had a soft spot for Pitbulls, was deeply touched by Cinnamon’s tears. She shared the video with her family, and they all agreed that they had to meet this sweet dog. The very next morning, Meghan’s family was the first in line at the shelter, and it was love at first sight for everyone involved.
After completing the adoption paperwork and ensuring Cinnamon was spayed, the family brought her home and gave her a new name—Rosie. Rosie quickly bonded with the family’s other dog, a 3-year-old Pitbull named Blu. Despite her traumatic past, Rosie adapted well to her new life, and she and Blu became inseparable friends.
As Rosie settled into her new home, her true personality began to shine. The family discovered that when she gets excited, she snorts like a pig—a quirky and endearing trait that only made them love her more. Rosie’s story not only led to her finding a forever home but also inspired others to adopt dogs from the shelter, saving even more lives.
This heartwarming tale shows the power of a simple act of kindness. A short video of a sad dog in a shelter reached millions and ultimately changed the lives of countless animals, proving that small actions can have a big impact. If you’re inspired by Rosie’s story, consider visiting your local shelter or the Greater Charlotte SPCA to find your own furry friend and make a difference in their life.
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