From fear in a roadside crate to joy in a forever home — Rocky Road’s journey is one of hope.
Earlier this month in Lamar County, Mississippi, what began as a routine Uber ride quickly turned into an emotional rescue mission. Kaytleen Roberson, a local Uber driver, was transporting Shy Speer when Speer noticed something unusual on the side of the road — a small wire crate sitting eerily still in the grass. Inside was a tiny, frightened puppy, her eyes pleading for help.
“I grabbed an Uber, and on our way out, I looked to my right, and I noticed there was a kennel out here, and I saw a little puppy’s head pop up,” Speer recalled in an interview with WDAM. Without hesitation, the two women pulled over to investigate.
A Cry for Help Goes Viral
Seeing the puppy’s fragile condition and the approaching rain, Roberson took a photo and shared it on Facebook, pleading for help from anyone nearby. “Y’all, I just saw this sweet baby on the side of the road. Can anyone take it? It’s starting to rain too,” she wrote.
The post quickly spread, resonating with the local community and beyond. It wasn’t long before Tamara Huff, director of the Hub City Humane Society, saw the post — and her heart sank.
“My heart absolutely broke,” Huff said in an interview with The Dodo. “Her ears were up like she was waiting for something. She was devastated.”
Rocky Road’s First Steps to Safety
The puppy, now lovingly named Rocky Road, was brought into the care of Hub City Humane Society. At just 10 weeks old, she had been left with a small bag of food and a collar that still bore her previous owner’s phone number.
“She was trembling all over and would cower in the back of her wire kennel when staff approached her,” Huff said. It was clear she had experienced deep trauma and needed time to learn that she was finally safe.
With gentle care, patience, and a steady supply of treats, Rocky Road slowly began to trust again. She started wagging her tail, interacting with staff, and even showing playful bursts of energy.
Tracing the Abandonment
When Huff called the number on Rocky Road’s collar, she reached the person who had abandoned her. The explanation? “Having a puppy was inconvenient.”
“I was told today that I was treating this puppy as though she were a human,” Huff said. “Yeah, I am. She is just as defenseless as a child. She can’t provide for herself, and she was left alone to figure it out or rely on the good nature of somebody else.”
The shelter is now pursuing criminal charges, with support from Lamar County Sheriff Danny Rigel. Under Mississippi law, pet abandonment is a punishable offense.
“You can get up to six months in the county jail and a fine of up to $1,000 or both,” Rigel said. “I just can’t imagine somebody looking in their rearview mirror and seeing their dog whining for them — and just keep driving.”
A Total Transformation
Within a week, Rocky Road had undergone a remarkable transformation.
“She is such a character!” Huff said. “She’s very animated with her facial expressions and her stomps. She absolutely loves to be loved and is very affectionate. She loves to play with her toys and to cuddle in laps.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Now, Rocky Road’s story has the happy ending she deserves — she’s been adopted! The shelter shared a joyful update:
“From being dumped on the side of the road, to this big smile — Rocky Road is going HOME!!”
Once a symbol of abandonment, Rocky Road is now a shining example of hope, healing, and the power of compassion.
