We had always gone to a breeder for our dogs. When Magic died from the Dog Food Recall of last year, we decided to try rescue for our next dog. Through a friend of a friend, we were put in touch with a Doodle Rescue Group in PA. That weekend I drove about an hour to pick up our girl. I had never met her and the hour drive home was quiet, she didn't move. When we got home, she sat in a corner of the kitchen and wouldn't move. She wouldn't eat or drink and had to be carried outside to do her business. She didn't know what to do with grass, was afraid of it. That night she started to cry. I went down a couple of times to reassure her and finally took her on my lap and slept with her in the Lazy Boy the rest of the night. That's when I knew this was going to be different.
When you rescue a dog, they come with "baggage" that you can't know. What did they go through? Who hurt, scared or even abused them? It takes time to bring them around. With Ginger it was about 2 weeks before she felt fully comfortable with everyone in our home. But if someone new was around, she would hide and shake. Our friends were told to leave her alone, let her come to them. Then only let her smell them. Slowly, she has become a trusting girl. Today, she has been with us 1 1/2 years and still is leary about new people or situations. But she is so much more relaxed and willing to meet new people than she was.
Rescue or rehome has to be approached differently then going to a loving breeder. You can't know what that dog went through, but have to be patient and calm and they will come around.
What are your rescue stories?
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