There’s nothing we want more than to celebrate every rescue dog’s happiness. Oftentimes, it takes patience and love to make a pup’s life better, especially if they’ve had a rocky start in life. We need to show them they’re safe and worthy to make up for trauma. Once a dog trusts humans again, they will surely be grateful. They are chockful of tail wags and smiles. Getting them there is a process many of us are honored to go through because it is all worth it in the end.
Kita, a dog discovered on a sprawling property, faced an overwhelming wave of emotions when she was rescued. Fear and confusion clouded her mind, making it impossible for her to grasp that these humans meant her no harm. They wanted to offer her warmth, food, and, above all, a fresh start. But Kita, overwhelmed by this sudden change, did the only thing she could to cope—she completely shut down.
Her journey began with heartache and deep-seated mistrust, painting a picture of a dog broken by her past. Once she arrived at her foster home, Kita curled herself tightly into a small ball as if trying to make herself disappear. She pressed her body into the narrow space between the walls, seeking comfort in that confining space where she felt safe from the outside world. When she dared to move, she would sit silently, staring at the wall. The walls became her shield, her only means of protection in a strange new environment.
In the video below, Kita’s foster mom shares how, even when Kita gathered the courage to explore beyond her secure corner, she’d only gaze out the window as though still feeling like an outsider in this new life. Despite being safe indoors, she seemed to doubt she was worthy of such comfort. Outside, things were even harder for her. Every time her foster mom took her outdoors, Kita froze, paralyzed with fear, as if she were reliving memories of her days roaming that vast, lonely property. She was afraid that stepping outdoors meant being abandoned again.
But her humans never gave up on Kita. With patience, care, and love, they broke down her barriers. Over time, Kita not only began to trust, but she also found a deep connection with her foster family. When her foster parents left the house, she would gather all the items that carried their scent, surrounding herself with reminders of them as though to keep them close even in their absence.
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Kita’s story is one of resilience, trust, and healing. From a fearful, shut-down dog to one deeply attached to her foster family, her journey shows the remarkable transformation that love and patience can inspire.
Toledo, United States.
