Happy Ending For 'A Good Boy' As Owner Of Abandoned Dog Comes Forward

MONEE, IL — The owner of a dog named "King" found abandoned at a Monee Burger King Monday came forward Tuesday, with toys, treats—and heart—in hand. The woman shared her and her "good boy's" story—one that had taken some turns she was not expecting.

The woman told staff at South Suburban Humane Society that she had suffered a major medical event, and had moved in with family while recovering. Her family member, she said, left King outside the fast food restaurant without her knowledge, and she was devastated.

"She brought all of his food, toys, treats, and we had a tearful conversation together," South Suburban Humane Society staff wrote on Facebook. "She wants to try and find a new place to live to keep her extremely well taken care of dog that she deeply loves."

King captured hearts with his wide grin and love of hugging and kissing humans around him. The note that was paper-clipped to his collar shared his birthday, too. He broke hearts at the Monee Police Department, who noticed his clean coat, freshly trimmed nails and perfect teeth and wondered if his owner had fallen on hard times. The department shared the update about his owner's story, urging people to be empathetic to others' circumstances.

"We know that some of you may have differing opinions on this and that’s ok, but in this situation we #ChooseKindness," the department wrote.

A staff member at the shelter has agreed to foster King for a month at their home, "so we can hopefully make a reunion happen," staff wrote on the note.

"Every single day, every one of us has a choice to choose empathy and kindness," the note continued. "SSHS is grounded in both and we choose kindness whenever possible (it's always possible)."

Staff told the owner that members of the public had offered up help and support to keep the duo together, and asked if she would accept that help. "She is a very proud person who is thinking about that," staff said.