Having to rehome a dog is heartbreaking, but sometimes it's the kindest thing to do.
There shouldn't be a stigma attached to those who have to rehome their beloved pets because they can no longer meet their needs.
In most cases, owners have been forced to make this devastating decision because they do have the time, money or energy to keep their dog happy and healthy.
When rehoming a dog, a responsible owner should drop them off at a reputable rehoming centre - such as the RSPCA, Dogs Trust or a local branch - dedicated to securing a loving home for every dog who walks through their doors.
But, sadly, this isn't always the case as some owners simply abandoned their pets on roadsides, in woodlands, or even in "the middle of nowhere", with little to no regard for their safety.
Sign up to our TeamDogs newsletter for your weekly dose of dog news, pictures and stories.
Speaking to Reddit, one woman has explained what really happens when people dump their dogs in "remote locations" rather than taking them to a rehoming centre.
She said: "I will start by explaining what is probably going on in thousands of people's heads, drive out to a nice place far away with little traffic and plenty of nice, big farms.
"Little Rex will show up at some farmer's door, and a sweet housewife will take him in, surely there is plenty of room on a huge farm for one little dog.
"Stop. I will tell you what really happens. I live in the country, just far enough out that it is the perfect place to dump dogs. I have seen literally more dogs than I can remember wandering the roads.
"This is not theoretical, this is what actually happens to these dogs. They die horrible deaths. Even if someone manages to catch the terrified pups, the majority of breeds are not suited to life around livestock, and when that dog starts killing their animals, it will be shot."
Explaining what's likely running through the dog's head when their owner kicks them out the car and drives away, she said they're "terrified beyond belief", with most being too scared to approach anyone who happens to be nearby.
She added: " The majority of them starve to death, die of exposure or get hit by cars. Everyone in my area knows each other, we know whose dogs are whose, and we watch dog after dog go through this horrible cycle."
Sharing a harrowing story in hopes it will hit home with those who abandon their dogs, she explained how she watched a driver push his chow chow out the car before taking off at speed.
"The dog runs after the car crying, its little feet going as fast as they can. I call to it over and over to no avail. It runs until it disappears over the horizon miles away. It is found dead on the road a week later by my mother," she added.
"The stories I have go on and on. I tell them in their utmost gory detail because people need to understand the barbarity of leaving a domesticated animal to fend for itself in a wild place. Few of them make it and they almost always die awful deaths.
"Please, please if you feel you cannot care for your dog any longer, do the humane and right thing. Don't be a coward and throw your dog to the proverbial wolves."
While most users thanked the woman for her brutal honesty, others shared their own experiences of discovering strays wandering the streets alone.
One user said: "I live in the woods and see drop offs quite a bit. Most get run over on the main road but the one that really got to me was the puppy run over on the back road next to his bed and toys.
"On the way to work one morning I found two wormy, flea infested black puppies so I brought them to the construction site and the owner provided food.
"I brought them to the vet and told him to worm, deflea and give them their shots. I went to pick them up the next day and he said no charge and that they were adopted.
"About a year later, when I brought my dog the the vet, he said come to the back where the kennels were. There were two 80 pound, shiny coat, tail wagging, happy dogs that I had brought in. Sometimes you win."
Another user added: "The best dog I ever had found me in the street, five-years-old and completely trained. I heard from people in the area that he was wandering around for over two weeks.
"He had a chip, and we know who the owner is, technically, and which vet took care of him up to two years before he was ditched. We were met with denials all around."
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
