A three-month-old chihuahua-mix puppy was found in a bathroom at the Las Vegas Airport over the weekend and was accompanied by a heartbreaking handwritten note, where the owner explained her reason for abandoning him.

Chewy’s owner fleeing domestic abuse

As reported by People Magazine, the hand-written note explained that Chewy’s owner was at the airport because she was fleeing a domestic abuse situation. In the note, she wrote that she couldn’t afford to take the puppy on the plane, but explained that his name was Chewy and that he was a much-loved pet.

Sometimes using the puppy’s voice, the note explained that the owner’s former boyfriend had kicked the puppy in the head during a fight they were having and went on to say Chewy had a “big knot on his head” and that he would probably need to visit a veterinarian.

Chewy heads to an animal shelter

After an unnamed traveler found Chewy abandoned in the bathroom, he was taken to Connor & Millie’s Dog Rescue, where they are now trying to find the puppy a forever home. Through various updates on Facebook, the animal shelter has said Chewy is in good health and doesn’t appear to have been injured by the kick mentioned in the note.

According to Darlene Blair, a spokesperson for the animal shelter, the abandoned Chihuahua puppy’s situation really got to her, saying she could tell from the handwritten note that the woman who had previously owned Chewy was in “dire stress.”

Once Chewy’s image appeared on social media, many local residents want to adopt the cute puppy - so much so, the animal shelter had to put a hold on further adoption requests for the Chihuahua pup.

However, they are encouraging interested parties to seriously think of adopting another dog instead.

Pets and domestic abuse

The incident highlights how pets can be affected by domestic abuse, with many women’s shelters refusing to take animals. However, News 3 in Las Vegas reports that there is an option in the city. Lori Nelson works at Noah’s Animal House, which acts as a safe place and boarding facility for animals.

While their pets are being cared for, women and children can be sheltered on the same property at the Shade Tree Shelter, the largest women and children’s shelter in Nevada.

The animal boarding facility has reportedly helped over 1,000 pets in the last ten years. Nelson went on to explain that pets are also family members and it is vital for both owner and pet leaving a domestic abuse situation that they are kept together if possible.

Blair also added that women should never be afraid to ask for help in a domestic violence situation, rather than losing an adored pet.
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