In a dramatic turn of events, a rescue dog who got ran over on a railroad on her way back to the shelter was adopted by the same train driver who almost ended her life. Now, internet users can’t stop crying at what they describe as a miracle.
Fiona initially ended up at the Animal House Shelter in Illinois in July 2024, the center wrote in a Facebook post shared in March, after the pup was rescued from a hoarding situation.
“She arrived pregnant and frightened but found peace in a loving foster home, where she gave birth and raised her puppies with tender care,” the post read. “In December, we celebrated what we thought was Fiona’s happily ever after—adopted by a kind older woman who gave her endless love and comfort.”
However, this wasn’t the happy ending Fiona was hoping for; in fact, only three months later, her elderly carer was moved to assisted living, and Fiona was once again a homeless dog. Little did the dog know she was also about to get involved in terrible accident that would almost end her life.
“Fiona was on her way back to the shelter. But fate had other plans. Just two miles from our doors, Fiona got carsick. Her adopter’s son pulled over, and in a moment of panic, Fiona bolted,” the Facebook post read.
💛 ADOPTED: Fiona’s Full-Circle Journey 💛Sweet Fiona has finally found her forever… and it’s nothing short of a miracle.Fiona first came to AHS in July 2024, rescued from a heartbreaking hoarding…
After a weeklong search filled with posters, live traps, and unwavering determination from the shelter staff and volunteers, the “unimaginable” happened.
“We received a frantic call from Geoff, a train engineer who had just spotted Fiona on the tracks. He was driving the train—and in a moment that shook us all—the train passed over her.” the post continued.
The driver immediately called for help, and soon after, Fiona was found still on the tracks, “stunned, unable to move, but alive.”
Geoff told Newsweek: “I felt helpless when I went over her. I thought she was small enough to fit under the train, but I wasn’t certain. I was thankful we found her alive.”
Fiona was then immediately rushed to ER, where they discovered that she had suffered a traumatic brain injury from what doctors believe to be a blow to the head by a hose hanging from the train.
The post read: “She had skull fractures, brain swelling, and the prognosis was uncertain. But Fiona is a fighter. After a week in the ER and weeks more in the care of a dedicated AHS staff member, Fiona slowly began to heal.”
But Geoff never forgot about Fiona, so he reached out to the shelter, saying that he would adopt her if she survived, and she did. So, as promised, Geoff and his wife picked Fiona up from the shelter and took her home.
Geoff told Newsweek: “I feel that fate put me there to save her and give her a home. We can’t wait for her to walk on the beach with us on Topsail Island in July. Lisa and myself are happy that we are giving her a loving stable home.”
Geoff poses with Fiona, left, as his wife and his two dogs, right, join him to pick up their new family member from the shelter.
Animal House Shelter
The streets are a dangerous place for dogs, because they expose them to all sorts of risks, such as predators hurting them, or even them getting ran over by cars, or, as in Fiona’s case, by trains.
It is always best to keep your pup on a leash when out for a walk, and to keep an eye on them when they run freely in the garden.
The Animal Behavior College says that it is not unusual for dogs to dig a hole under the fence and escape when you are not watching them. Moreover, they could be eating sticks, stones and so many other harmful objects, which can pose serious health concerns if not addressed promptly.
So, even when your pup is safe in the yard, it is best that you keep an eye on them, and avoid leaving them alone for more than five minutes.
The clip quickly captured the attention of social-media users, and it has so far received over 600 likes and more than 100 re-shares.
One user, Sally Staak, commented: “This is just a miracle that Fiona is doing so well! She is a such a little fighter and deserves a happy life. Bless you for offering her a second chance!”
Dawn Laycox posted: “I’m not crying you’re crying.”
Lora Daley wrote: “I nearly had a heart attack reading this. I’m so happy she has found a great home.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our “Pet of the Week” lineup.
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