Ruby Was Alone, Hungry, and Covered in Ticks. Now She’s Found a Forever Home.

In this article:

• The story of Ruby (née Cinnamon), from LaMancha Animal Rescue
• Adoptable dogs looking for homes

It’s National Dog Day! Below, learn how one stray dog found her forever home, and read about adoptable dogs who are still looking for theirs.

For weeks, warehouse workers and residents in Baltimore’s Woodberry district watched a lone stray dog navigate the industrial neighborhood. The dog, who would eventually be given the name Ruby, darted between buildings and scrounged for food.

Woodberry residents who’d seen Ruby began to post on Nextdoor and Facebook, determined to help. A volunteer pet-recovery organization stepped in to set a live-animal trap—and, after two-and-a-half weeks, a hungry and exhausted Ruby finally walked into it.

A woman named Jessica took Ruby (who she then called Cinnamon) home and spent the next two weeks picking hundreds of ticks from her coat. Jessica and Ruby bonded deeply, but her own reactive dog made it clear that the new girl couldn’t stay permanently. She started to search for a rescue outfit that could take care of her as they looked for a forever home. 

Jessica’s online search led to LaMancha Animal Rescue in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The rescue’s sprawling 50-acre farm houses 50 to 60 dogs, along with horses and other animals. When Jessica contacted the rescue, they immediately agreed to take Ruby. 

The handoff was an emotional moment. “I’ve never seen a dog look at a human the way Cinnamon was looking at Jessica,” said Beth Gray, a 10-year volunteer and team leader at LaMancha, recalling how sad Ruby was to leave the woman who’d cared for her. “I very rarely cry. I cried that night.”

“She’s an old soul.”

Ruby charmed the volunteers at LaMancha during her monthslong stay. Gray recalled how she maintained eye contact until humans broke it first—not as a challenge, but as an invitation to connect.

“She has some very deeply human qualities about her,” Gray explained. “She’s an old soul.”

Ruby arrived at LaMancha still underweight from her days as a stray, but was able to put on about five pounds eating fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog. She continues to fill out nicely, and her people are hoping for even more weight gain. 

In early August, the rescue held a photoshoot for the dogs. The theme was “beach party.” Volunteers put sunglasses and a hula skirt on Ruby, which she wore throughout the session without complaint. She posed for pictures with what Gray described as “a big smile on her face.” 

“She’s not a run-around, crazy-dog playful,” Gray noted. “But that day of just her wearing costumes and prancing around in them and posing for pictures and smiling—[I saw that] she has a playful side to her.”

“She just wants a couch and a person.”

The beach party proved irresistible to one family who’d never had a rescue dog before. They had just lost their American Bulldog and were lamenting how empty their house was when they saw the photos of Ruby. They called LaMancha shortly after Gray shared Ruby’s story with us.

“She just wants a couch and a person, and that’s all she wants,” Gray told me before she was adopted. The family that adopted her not only gave her that big comfy couch, but also a dad who works from home, so she can have the constant company that she craves. 

Ruby went from the streets of Baltimore to LaMancha’s bucolic facilities to a comfortable couch with a loving family. And there’s still a chance to provide other dogs with their own forever homes, whether they’re from LaMancha or other rescues. Here are some wonderful dogs up for adoption from around the country.

Adoptable Dogs Looking for Forever Homes

Selena From LaMancha Animal Rescue in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Selena came in from one of LaMancha’s partner rescues. Beth Gray, a representative from LaMancha, said she was very underweight, but—despite her difficult circumstances—very friendly. 

“I was shocked by how emaciated she was,” Gray said, “but what was more impressive was how happily she greeted me with warmth in her eyes and wiggles in her backside.”

The 2-year-old Boxer mix is doing well in LaMancha’s care, and is ready for a forever home. 

“She has been actively enjoying her playtime in our agility fields and walks on the large LaMancha property,” said Gray.  “She is a volunteer favorite, greeting everyone with her sweet smiles and kisses.”

Want to adopt Selena?

Visit LaMancha’s website and complete an application (no fees will be collected unless you adopt her). 

Brownie From Ace of Hearts Rescue in Los Angeles, California

Ace of Hearts took Brownie in after he was found in a “field of grass by an overfilled dumpster in San Fernando Valley,” a representative from the organization said.

He was covered in foxtails that were so deep in his skin that he needed two surgeries. He’s still recovering from “years of scars,” according to the rescue, but is “as loving as they come.” 

“He gets attached easily to our fosters and anyone he encounters,” a representative told us.

“His big smile and loving spirit glow in every room,” they added. “While he is still working on his anxiety and confidence on walks, he’s made so much progress with us. We can only hope that the right family comes along and expresses interest in our special little guy.”
Brownie will do best as the only dog in his new home.

Want to adopt Brownie?

Email Ace of Hearts at aofhcoordinator@gmail.com to learn more.

Natasha From Danbury Animal Welfare Society in Bethel, Connecticut

DAWS took in Natasha, who is most likely a Doberman mix,  in late June of this year. The volunteers don’t know how she ended up in the shelter system, but suspect that she came from a loving home; she’s comfortable walking on a leash in residential areas, and also enjoys hikes in the woods. “Nothing seems to bother her,” a representative from DAWS said, “and she rides well in the car.”

Ruby is more than ready for adoption, especially in a home with active guardians—since she has a lot of energy and athleticism. The rescue says she’s highly intelligent and responsive to training. She loves chasing a flirt pole, and engaging in nose work. “Natasha would love a home with adopters who enjoy an active lifestyle.”

They believe she’d “excel in sports like agility, rally, or barn hunt.”

Want to adopt Natasha?

Visit the DAWS website and complete their online application. 

Koa From Caitie’s Foster Fam in Seakbrook, Texas

When Caitie’s Foster Fam found Koa, he was emaciated and on the euthanasia list at a local shelter. But the foster took him in, and helped him put on weight. “Koa is a survivor,” said Caitie, founder and director of Caitie’s Foster Fam. “He fought all the odds stacked against him, and he’s made it through it all.”

Now, Koa is full of energy. “He deserves a home now to spoil him forever,” Caitie said. “Koa would love an active home with other playful dogs, and/or an owner who loves to take him on adventures.”

Want to adopt Koa?

Fill out an application at Caitie’s Foster Fam.