I was only supposed to be grabbing trash bags and cat litter. That’s it. In and out. But as I pulled into the Walmart lot, I spotted this big, scruffy dog sitting near the cart return like he was waiting for someone who never came back.

He didn’t bark. Didn’t move. Just watched every car like it might be the one.

I walked over slow, hands out. He didn’t flinch. Just looked up at me with those tired, unsure eyes. When I crouched down to see if he had a tag, he leaned his whole body into me like he’d been holding himself together all day and just now let go.

And then—he hugged my leg.

I’m not even kidding. One paw around my shin, chin resting on my knee, like he’d decided, right then and there, “You. You’re safe.”

Animal control said they’d received a call earlier that morning. Someone saw a car dump him near the edge of the lot and drive off. No collar, no chip. Nothing.

They told me they’d take him in, assess him, start the process. But when they tried to lead him away, he panicked. Planted himself and looked right back at me.

I didn’t think I was ready for a dog. But standing there, with him wrapped around my leg like I was all he had left in the world… I couldn’t just walk away.

So I asked the officer one simple question: “What happens if no one claims him?”

The officer hesitated, glancing between me and the dog. “If he doesn’t get adopted within 72 hours, he could be euthanized.” The words hit me like a punch to the gut. This wasn’t some stray nuisance; this was a living, breathing soul who trusted me enough to cling to my leg despite having every reason to fear humans after what he’d been through.

Without thinking too hard about it, I blurted out, “Can I take him home?” It felt reckless, impulsive—exactly the kind of thing I usually avoided. My apartment complex technically allowed pets, but I hadn’t planned on getting one anytime soon. Still, something about the way he looked at me made it impossible to say no.

The officer blinked, clearly surprised by my sudden decision. “Are you sure? He’s going to need care, patience, maybe even training. Are you prepared for that?”