Sometimes the smallest decisions in our daily routine can completely change the course of a day. Whether it’s choosing a new coffee spot or taking a different road to work, these choices often lead to surprising outcomes—some delightful, others thought-provoking.
In the summer of 2016, Kentucky teacher Malissa Sergent Lewis experienced just such a moment. Running a little late, she decided to take a quieter back road instead of her usual highway route to the elementary school where she worked. That small decision soon revealed something extraordinary.
As Malissa drove along the empty road, she noticed a black garbage bag in the middle of the street. Oddly, it appeared to move. Unsure but curious, she pulled over to take a closer look. The bag was tightly tied, so there was no way its contents could have moved on their own. With cautious determination, Malissa tore open a corner—and what she found was both surprising and heartwarming.
Inside was a tiny puppy, wagging its tail the moment sunlight touched its face. The little dog was shaken but alive, wearing a collar but no identification tag. Without hesitation, Malissa placed the puppy in her car and continued on to school.
Later, her son took the puppy home, and the family quickly scheduled a veterinary check-up to make sure he was healthy. Although Malissa reported the discovery to animal control, no one ever came forward to claim the dog.
In the end, the Lewis family decided to adopt him, ensuring that he would grow up in a safe, loving home. For Malissa, the rescue was a reminder of both the cruelty and the kindness people are capable of. While it was heartbreaking to think about how the puppy had ended up in that situation, she was grateful that a simple change of route had given her the chance to save a life.