The sense of relief was palpable as the Bensons drove away from the scene. “My heart broke thinking about what this dog had just been through and how scared and alone he must have felt,” Evie confessed. The car ride seemed to stretch on forever, but eventually, the exhausted dog fell asleep in Evie’s arms. “That’s when I started to cry. I wanted him to know that he was finally safe,” she added. The mother and daughter took the dog to the Goochland County Animal Shelter, where he was promptly taken into their care.
The next day, still shaken by the events of the previous day, Evie returned to the shelter to check on her brave companion. Unsure if the dog would remember her, she was in for a surprise. The moment she arrived, the dog leaped straight into her arms, showering her with affection and gratitude. “We went into a room with him, and that’s when the emotions really started to flow,” Evie recalled, still moved by the memory. “My mom and I both started crying (…) I sat down on the floor, and he curled up in my lap, so happy to see me again. He even climbed up on me to give me a hug.”
As Evie and the adorable dog shared a tender moment, a special bond formed between them. Evie found the perfect name for her new friend: she began calling him “Wags,” as no matter the situation, his tail was always wagging, a sign of his affectionate and optimistic nature.
Reflecting on the harrowing scene from the previous day, Evie couldn’t hide her shock and disappointment at the indifference displayed by the other drivers who hadn’t taken the time to stop and help. However, she found solace in knowing that Wags was now safe and receiving the care he needed.
