08/30/2026
An Update on a Community Stray
There were so many comments. So much concern on social media about this dog—people asking why animal control or a rescue wasn’t helping.
This stray had a name.
Her name was Emmy.
We took her in. We gave her a name, and we loved her.
Emmy had a very large, hard mammary mass. It was diagnosed as aggressive cancer that had already spread to other organs in her thin, frail body.
With all the attention Emmy received on social media, we hoped that maybe someone would step forward and offer her a hospice foster home.
Unfortunately, this time, there were no comments. No offers. No one stepping forward to give her a home.
Emmy would stand up and look at you through the bars of her kennel with those big brown eyes, just hoping you would say something to her, touch her paw, or maybe give her a treat.
Friends Rescue wanted to pull her and give her a few days, maybe a week, in a home with a soft bed, love, and kindness.
But no one offered her that day, that week, or that love.
Until one of our fosters stepped up.
She had recently cared for another hospice dog. She wasn't sure if she was ready to do it again, but she wanted to do this for Emmy.
And Emmy had an incredible eight days.
She went on car rides.
She played with other dogs.
She enjoyed ice cream.
And her absolute favorite thing was peanut butter.
But the next best thing?
Tennis balls.
Emmy would play fetch, and when she was finished, she could somehow remove the skin from a tennis ball in one perfect piece. It was pretty amazing to watch.
She couldn't play for long. Her body was tired, and each day became a little harder for her.
But because one of our exhausted fosters said yes, Emmy got to know what a soft bed felt like.
She got to feel love.
She got to feel kindness.
She got to be part of a family.
Even if it was only for eight days.
Emmy passed peacefully with her foster and members of Friends Rescue by her side.
Someone asked us why we went through so much trouble to do this for a dog.
Our answer was simple:
We asked them why they wouldn't.
Every animal deserves to know love, even if we only get a short time with them.
Our shelters are overwhelmed.
Our rescues are exhausted.
Our fosters are stretched thin.
But there are still animals like Emmy who need someone willing to say yes.
If you have ever thought about becoming a hospice foster, please reach out to Friends Rescue. You don't have to know how to do everything. You just have to be willing to give an animal comfort, dignity, and love as we walk them home.
