Sweetie arrived at PAWS Atlanta in the winter of 2014 after being left behind at a local animal control, undernourished and heavily pregnant. Sweetie gave birth to six sweet puppies, our Valentine's litter. As her babies grew and found homes, it become more and more clear that Sweetie was going to need some extra support. She remained shut down and fearful. Maral was a volunteer at PAWS Atlanta at the time and stepped up to work with Sweetie. They started spending time together, and the more Sweetie opened up to her, the more Maral knew that she had found her dog and eventually adopted her. This changed the trajectory of both their lives in a big way.

While Sweetie is no longer with us, her legacy continues to make a difference for animals in need, so we wanted to share her story with you. In 2021, Maral wrote the story below as part of PAWS Atlanta's application for a Petco Love grant. Her story was so touching that it helped PAWS Atlanta win $25,000. 

"I met Sweetie in the spring of 2014. She was described as one of the most scared and shut-down dog PAWS Atlanta had ever taken in - rescued from the side of the road while pregnant and skin and bones. It was apparent something had gone very wrong in her life. But, I saw her little ear, the one that doesn’t flop over, peek up at me one fateful day, and the rest, as they say, was history.

I saw a lot of myself in her - I am an anxious person, too. At the time, I was living in this weird state of, “What’s my purpose? What’s my next move?” I had just graduated from college and was trying to figure out what to do next. I was a bit lost because there were things that I knew I could do, but nothing that I felt meaningfully compelled to do. I recognized how Sweetie must feel, living in the in-between, and I knew I could help her; little did I know how much more Sweetie would help me.

It hurt my heart that someone could be cruel to Sweetie, or any animal, and largely get away with it. That’s why I decided to move to Portland, Oregon, where I could attend the best law school in the country for animal law. Yes, Sweetie now has her ‘Juris Dogtorate!’

After falling in love with Sweetie, I began to see her in every animal. After graduating from law school, Sweetie and I took a job at an animal protection non-profit, where we collaborate with major food companies to adopt welfare policies for animals. This year alone, Sweetie and I have negotiated welfare policies that impact approximately 5 million animals. It is the most rewarding work I can imagine.

Sweetie is silly and sassy - a completely different dog now. It is so heartwarming to see her being bossy at the dog park, going up to people and pawing at them to pet her. She was even brave enough to serve as a spokesdog to rid my hometown of a cruel pitbull ban through a successful citizens’ initiative. Sweetie has done and inspired so much good for so many four and two-legged folks, myself included.

Sweetie has given me purpose. She’s shown me true love. I brought Sweetie out of her shell to help me, and, in turn, and she brought me out of mine to help animals. I feel this incredible, inspiring responsibility to show Sweetie she is making a positive difference, and I will work every day to make the world a kinder place to other Sweeties out there in her honor.

What more meaningful gifts in life can one be given than purpose and true love?"

There is no doubt that Sweetie brought love to many during her life. PAWS Atlanta is grateful to have been a part of Sweetie's story and part of her legacy. To help other animals like Sweetie, you can give back here.