Tucson Woman Rescues Abandoned Dog Left Behind After Family's Deportation

The husky was found wandering the desert, waiting for his family to return home.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:09pm

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A Tucson woman named Jaime Simpson recently discovered a husky wandering alone in the desert without a collar, owner, or water. The dog followed Simpson back to where he had been staying, and neighbors told her the family had warned them about a possible deportation. Simpson officially adopted the dog, now named Eclipse, but hopes he can one day reunite with the people he never stopped looking for.

Why it matters

This story highlights the growing issue of pets being left behind when their owners are deported, leaving the animals to fend for themselves. It sheds light on the emotional toll this takes on both the pets and the families forced to make the difficult decision to abandon their beloved companions.

The details

When Simpson spotted the husky, she thought he might belong to someone nearby. But the dog didn't run off and instead latched onto Simpson, following her around. Neighbors told Simpson the family had warned them about a possible deportation, and the dog may have been on his own for weeks, wandering the desert and circling back to the home, waiting for a family that never came home. Simpson officially adopted the dog and named him Eclipse, giving him food, water, a yard, and a new family.

  • The incident occurred recently in Tucson, Arizona.

The players

Jaime Simpson

A Tucson woman who discovered the abandoned husky and officially adopted him, naming him Eclipse.

Eclipse

The husky that was found wandering the desert alone after his family was deported, and was later adopted by Jaime Simpson.

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What they’re saying

“It just makes me really sad that they had no closure, that goodbye, to keep their dog next to them during that hard time.”

— Jaime Simpson

“I hope so. I'd be happy to do that.”

— Jaime Simpson

What’s next

Simpson hopes that Eclipse can one day be reunited with his original family if they are able to return to the United States.

The takeaway

This story highlights the growing issue of pets being abandoned when their owners are deported, leaving the animals to fend for themselves in difficult circumstances. It underscores the emotional toll this takes on both the pets and the families forced to make the difficult decision to leave their beloved companions behind.