This two-year-old dog couldn’t stop trembling. She pressed herself against the wall, trying to find some comfort amidst the loud, high-pitched noises coming from other kennels. The dog, named Imelda, couldn’t fathom why she was put in such a place. Had she done something wrong? She didn’t know for sure, but she was scared and overwhelmed by everything around her. Her face looked like it was painted with deep, heartbreaking sadness. She was visibly traumatized. One of the shelter workers took the most heartwrenching photo of Imelda and posted it online.
In no time, her tragic image spread across the country, leaving thousands of people heartbroken. They couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw Imelda in such a dire state. The sad reality was that Imelda was on the verge of being put on the euthanasia list due to her extreme fear.
Thankfully, her story reached the Diamonds in the Ruff Rescue team from Missouri, who immediately stepped in. “She made herself smaller as someone approached her in the kennel…she backed up to the wall in the kennel as if she was saying, ‘I promise I’m good, I’ll be good, just give me a chance,’” they shared on Facebook.
Seeing Imelda’s distress, the rescue team decided to find her a foster home instead of leaving her in a small kennel. Within days, Imelda was moved to a comforting environment. Although still shaken by her past, Imelda felt significantly better. The cozy, quiet setting helped her relax, and she loved having all the attention and affection to herself.
Imelda’s new foster mom, Stephanie, welcomed her with open arms, and the dog quickly learned what it meant to be loved. Stephanie, an experienced dog foster, provided the care and attention Imelda needed. Imelda soon made friends with her new dog siblings and became the darling of the household. Despite her previous trauma, she exhibited excellent behavior, such as going potty outside and sleeping through the night without a sound.
“She’s good with kids and other dogs. She sleeps in her crate all night without a peep, no accidents in the crate. She whines and paces the house when she needs to go outside, not food aggressive with either humans or dogs,” Stephanie shared on Facebook.
A children's doctor had been evicted and had left items behind when she left. Among them was something alarming: a plastic storage bin, where a dog had been locked inside. If someone is this cruel to a small, defenseless dog, how can they continue to treat children as a doctor?
All Imelda needed was a safe haven where she could feel at home, and she transformed into a new dog. Looking at her now, Stephanie finds it hard to believe that Imelda was once on the euthanasia list simply because of her fear. “She is definitely coming around. To think she was on the euth list for ‘fear’… NO REASON. Look at her bloom… her tail wags and she seems happy,” Stephanie wrote on Facebook. Imelda is still looking for a forever home. She is a loving dog who would fit well in any household, preferably with families that have children over ten years old.
We have no doubt Imelda’s forever family is just around the corner. Thank you to everyone who helped Imelda. She is one sweet pup who, we are sure, will find her happily ever after! If you are interested in learning more about Imelda, visit Diamonds in the Ruff Rescue MO by clicking here.
Toledo, United States.
