The red tag tied to the young dog’s collar read, “Hello, my name is Miah. I am housebroken and homeless. Please help me. Thanks so much.” Her former owner(s) left her tied up at a truck stop in the blazing Avondale, Arizona heat. Melissa Gable with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control says the mixed breed dog is playful, friendly and only about a year old. Miah has also had basic obedience training – she sits and shakes on command.

The MCACC shelter is an extremely busy facility that certainly sees its share of abandoned pets, but Gable says this case is particularly difficult because Miah was obviously loved, and for whatever reason, her family had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave her.

There is a fee for surrendering animals directly to the shelter, but staff are often willing to waive it depending on the situation.

“If you can’t afford it but you need to turn in your dog, please do come to us because we can work with you on it,” Gable told Fox 10 Phoenix. “We don’t want to see the dogs left out in the heat.”

https://www.facebook.com/MaricopaCountyAnimalCareandControl/photos/a.376740707373.157330.159644492373/10154641800362374/?type=3

Miah will be available for adoption on July 5, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the MCACC shelter in Phoenix.

“I don’t know the circumstances behind why she was given up, but maybe that person is watching and it would probably mean a lot to them to know that a good family will come down and adopt her,” said Gable.