05/04/2026
Being a stray is already hard enough, but it's even more heartbreaking to see this dog abandoned on the street with only her favorite toy after her owner passed away!
Life on the streets as a stray is beyond difficult since these animals have to scavenge for food and water every single day just to stay alive, and they are always on the move searching for shelter to protect themselves from the weather, other animals, and even people who might harm them. On top of that, they are at a huge risk of getting diseases, getting injured, or being abused because they don't have the protection and care that comes with having a real home, and while some manage to survive, life for most strays is just a constant battle. This was exactly the case for a poor pup in Detroit, Michigan, named Nikki, who was not only facing life as a stray but was also mourning the death of her owner.
South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery shared her picture on Facebook and explained that after her owner died, she was just dumped on the streets with nothing but her favorite stuffed animal to her name. A few people in the neighborhood were feeding her, but nobody would give her a home until finally, help was called and she was trapped and moved to Almost Home Animal Rescue. The recovery group later gave an update saying Nikki tested positive for heartworms and needs a lot of medical care and testing, which the rescue is handling even though it won't be cheap or easy at all. Besides her physical health, Nikki is also suffering emotionally from losing her owner and being left all alone, but thankfully, she still has her little stuffed toy to comfort her during this hard time.