By Janet McAfee
The sun was unforgiving that July day—July 13th, 2024—when the car door creaked open one last time. The man who was supposed to care for us tossed me, my brother Mushu, and our mother Mulan onto the street. We were nothing to him. The concrete was hot beneath our paws. We didn’t know where we were, but at least we still had each other.
Our hearts were heavy with memories of mistreatment, but there was also relief—relief that the yelling, the neglect, and the fear were finally behind us. A man in a car saw everything. He stopped, concern etched on his face, and made a phone call.
That call changed our lives. The gate at Loving All Animals shelter in Coachella swung open, and two kind people—Briana and a volunteer—approached. They looped leashes around me and Mushu, guiding safety into the shelter yard. Our mother was scared and kept her distance—until she saw us inside. Her love was stronger than her fear, and she came inside.
We were given food, water, and the first kindness we’d known in a long time. They knelt in the grass beside us as we ate, telling us everything would be okay. That night, we were placed in cozy kennels close to each other, our bellies full and our spirits lifted.
Days turned into weeks. We played in the shelter’s yards, learned new tricks training with Valerie—who said I was very smart—and enjoyed walks and playtime. Loving All Animals made sure we were vaccinated and healthy. Mushu, though, wasn’t thrilled about his neuter appointment. Still, we were safe. We were healing.
On September 28th, a wonderful couple came to adopt our mom, Mulan. She looked so happy as she left with them. Before leaving, she came to each of our kennels to say goodbye. Mushu followed her path to happiness on November 16th when a nice woman adopted him.
The holidays came, and I wore festive outfits for photos, hoping someone would see me and feel a spark. But most people wanted smaller dogs. I wagged my tail for everyone, but they walked past me.
On December 14th, volunteers took some of us dogs to an adoption event at the Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. That’s when I met Graham and Brian. They had a beautiful German Shepherd named Ellie Mae. We took a walk together, and it felt like magic. I heard them say they liked me.
But just as suddenly as they’d come, they left. They said they were heading back to Los Angeles. I thought I was going with them! On the car ride back to the shelter, I sat sadly in silence. Disappointment weighed heavier than anything I’d felt before.
A week later, I heard voices I recognized—joyful, kind voices—and caught the scent of a dog I knew. Ellie Mae! Graham and Brian had come back… for me. After six long months at Loving All Animals, I was going home! They knelt down for my grateful kisses. Ellie Mae wagged her tail in approval. My new life had begun with the new name Dolly Parton!
I play endlessly with my sister Ellie May. I heard my Dads talking about me. “The attachment Dolly Parton has to us is just a testament to the fact that she needed a family and we are so happy she allowed us to love her!”
We go on adventures, lounge in the sun, and fall asleep with the soft sounds of home all around us. I’m surrounded by love, joy, and two of the best Dog Dads anyone could ask for. They say the best things come to those who wait. And you know what? They were right.
