I saw just about the saddest thing today

On my way to one of the train stas in my Bklyn neighborhood, i saw this half-grown, seemed to be, boxer mix still in puppyhood-- she/he (in all the commotion i didn't even think of checking gender) had the fine squared head & bright glossy eyes i've somehow come to assoc w/ boxers-- trying to get inside a check cashing store. This little dog was so covered w/ cuts, bruises & smelled so bad, yet when i bent down to touch her/him was so energetic & friendly. I didn't know what to think as i went into the check cashing place & asked whose dog it was.
All the people waiting for service said it was, obviously, a stray & i said the poor thing needed to go to the animal shelter. My distraction seemed to be what the resourceful little dog was waiting for as he/she slipped in. One of the employees shouted that the ASPCA was on their way, as me & this young guy chased the dog all over the store. It must have taken us about 10 mins to get this dog back outside. It's a little over 20 degrees today, after our big snowfall yesterday, & i didn't blame her/him for wanting to stay inside where it was warm.
I wanted to wait for the ASPCA to come, but i had an appointment in Manhattan that i was going to be, at least, a half an hour late for as it was. I tried to tie her/him up w/ a plastic bag-- so that people coming in & out wouldn't be pushing at the dog's constant attempt to get back in out of the shivering cold-- but, walking away, i looked back & saw that already the poor thing had slipped out of that makeshift leash.
Being more of a cat person, i don't know too much about dogs. But more than ever i wished i wasn't so completely down & out. Already such a sweet dog-- didn't even put up much of a fight when me & the kid caught & carried her/him back out-- w/ care & comfort that dog would make such a wonderful loyal pet.
I'm going to try to find out what happened w/ that dog tomorrow. I come across so many strays on the streets & it makes me so sad. Things are so difficult right now. The no-kill animal shelter i worked for last yr in Queens has closed down-- along w/ another of the org's facilities. But so many orgs had had to restrict their resources or have gone out of business & w/ jobs so scarce i'm sure a lot of families, along w/ their pets, aren't too sure where the next meal is coming fr.