A Chance Encounter on a Different Path
Even small changes to our daily routines can lead to unexpected outcomes, as Kentucky teacher Malissa Sergent Lewis discovered one summer morning in 2016. In a rush to get to work, Malissa, running late, decided on a whim to take an alternative route to her elementary school, unaware that this minor detour would change her day—and the life of another—forever.
As she drove along the quiet, deserted road, something unusual caught Malissa’s eye: an abandoned trash bag. But this was no ordinary bag—it was moving. Driven by curiosity, she stopped to investigate. As she cautiously approached, she noticed the bag was tightly sealed. When she tore open a corner, she was met with a heartwarming surprise.
Inside the bag was a puppy, its tail wagging eagerly as light streamed in. Malissa was stunned. The helpless pup had been left in the middle of the road, tied up in a trash bag, with no way to escape.
A Compassionate Response
Unable to leave the puppy behind, Malissa took it with her to work. Later, her son brought the dog home, and they took it to the vet to ensure it was healthy. Despite her efforts to understand how the puppy ended up in such a dire situation, she couldn’t find any answers. Concerned that it might be lost or stolen, she contacted animal control, but no one had reported a missing puppy.
Moved by the experience, Malissa and her family decided to adopt the puppy, giving it the love and care it deserved. However, Malissa couldn’t comprehend the cruelty of someone who would abandon a defenseless animal in such a way.
A Twist of Fate
Reflecting on the event, Malissa realized that if she had followed her usual routine that morning, she would never have found the abandoned puppy. This chance encounter changed the course of the dog’s life, saving it from an otherwise tragic fate.
Malissa’s story is a powerful reminder of the kindness and dedication of those who go out of their way to improve the lives of mistreated and abandoned
animals. Their compassion makes the world a better place for these vulnerable creatures.
Please share this story to honor Malissa and all those who provide love and hope to animals in need.
