The recent holiday season was a difficult time for many travelers, especially those flying. Yet no one had a worse travel nightmare than a one-year-old Chihuahua who was abandoned by her owner at the Des Moines airport last week.

While it’s a tragic circumstance, this unfortunate dog is now in wonderful care – and will soon be seeking for a new home.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa reported that on December 29, a 1-year-old dog now named Allie was found tied up near Des Moines International Airport.

The dog’s owner had apparently tried to board a flight with the dog but did not have a kennel. The owner then left the airport with the dog, returned alone, and boarded their flight. Allie was subsequently recovered outside the airport.

According to Daily Mail, the owner is 24-year-old Bigsen Charles, who said he left the dog behind so he could make his flight to New Jersey: “I already checked in and didn’t want to miss my flight,” he told Daily Mail. “I believed if I paid for the dog on the airline they would provide her a kennel. I didn’t realize I had to carry my own.”

Charles said that he wanted someone to take up the dog, but could not make arrangements: “I knew someone would end up taking her,” he stated.

According to Today, a warrant was obtained, and the owner surrendered Allie to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Despite everything, the dog is in high spirits.

“(She’s) really nice and loved everybody from the airport personnel who came out, got her a blanket, sat with her, loved her, giving her all the attention until our animal services officers came out and scooped her up,” ARL CEO Tom Colvin told Today. “She’s incredibly sweet.”

Colvin also mentioned that Allie luckily was not waiting outside very long, and missed the severe cold weather from a few days earlier.

He also mentioned that soon things would be looking good for Allie: she will soon be placed up for adoption and begin seeking for a forever family.

“Once Allie has her spay operation, microchip, and any other essential veterinary care, she will become eligible for adoption,” the ARL told Today.

An inquiry into the matter is still continuing. In Iowa, animal abandoning is a misdemeanor, and carries a fine of at least $105 and is punished by up to 2 years imprisonment.

It’s awful that someone would abandon their dog like this, but we’re thrilled Allie is doing well and can’t wait for her to find a new home!

ALLIE UPDATE: We’re happy to tell you that Allie, the dog left at the Des Moines airport, was adopted yesterday by a family who saw her at the airport the day she was abandoned. Her new family has already reached out to us with an update, saying Allie is settling in very well.