In a quiet park in Bakersfield, California, a heartbreaking scene unfolded in broad daylight. On what seemed like just another day, a car slowed to a stop near the edge of the park. To the shock of nearby passersby, the occupants pushed a dog out onto the street and tossed her one final thing—her beloved stuffed monkey—before driving away without looking back.
The dog, later named Monkey, didn’t chase the car. She didn’t bark or run. She simply stayed by her stuffed companion, the only familiar comfort she had left in the world. Strangers who witnessed the abandonment quickly realized the painful truth: this sweet dog had been discarded like she didn’t matter.
The Dog Who Chose Love Over Food
When rescuers arrived, they came prepared with food, knowing that most stray dogs are frightened and starving. But Monkey surprised everyone. She showed no interest in food. Her focus stayed firmly on her stuffed monkey, which she clung to as though it were her lifeline.
“When the rescuers came, she didn’t care about food,” said Theron Marbury of South Coast Humane Society (SCHS). “She cared about her monkey, and that’s why we call her Monkey.”
Monkey was first taken to an overcrowded shelter, but her stay there was brief. SCHS, based in Oregon, stepped in quickly to offer her—and another abandoned dog named Jasper—a better chance at finding safety and love.
Finding Comfort in Friendship
Despite all that she had been through, Monkey’s sweet and playful spirit shone through almost immediately. She quickly bonded with Jasper, who became her kennel mate and constant companion.
“Monkey was sweet and energetic when she arrived and co-kenneled with Jasper,” said Jenifer Alcorn, executive director of SCHS. It seemed that having both her stuffed monkey and a new canine friend helped Monkey feel secure again.
The shelter team believed Monkey’s story would touch hearts, so they posted photos of her proudly sitting with her stuffed monkey on their Facebook page. The response was overwhelming. Adoption inquiries came pouring in from people deeply moved by her resilience and gentle nature.
The Family Who Saw Her Worth
Among the many families who wanted to adopt Monkey, one stood out. They had experience with her breed and plenty of space for her to run and play.
“They came and met her… and fell in love,” Alcorn told The Dodo. But Alcorn noticed something else—Monkey and Jasper had developed a beautiful friendship. At the risk of pushing too far, she asked the family if they would consider adopting both dogs.
Without hesitation, they said yes.
“They decided to take them both,” Alcorn said, grateful that Monkey and Jasper could stay together and begin a new chapter side by side.
Carrying Hope Wherever She Goes
Monkey’s journey—from being abandoned in a park with nothing but a stuffed toy to finding a loving forever home—is more than just a rescue story. It’s a testament to resilience, second chances, and the small comforts that can carry us through the hardest moments.
Her stuffed monkey, tossed from the car along with her, became a symbol of the hope she never let go of. Today, Monkey no longer has to wait in a shelter or cling to the past. She’s home. She’s loved. And thanks to those who didn’t look away, she’ll never face the world alone again.
