So sad

[nikkiluvsu15]

This story just absolutely breaks my heart. I feel so bad for this beautiful boy

National : Too scared to walk

He deserves a great home and I truly hope he gets that.

[Slayer Girl]

I like the story and it is good motivation to get people to learn to adopt if all they want is a family pet...but in all honestly I find it reads a little too much like a PETA ad.. I dunno. I do hope someone fosters the poor dog. Adopting out fearful animals is not always in any shelters best interest. He needs a foster..or a rescue group to hear his story and take some action.

[xellil]

..if all they want is a family pet...

I hope that was a mistake in the way you worded it - many of don't consider a family pet to be "all" we can get, or "all" we would want. We consider them to be the most superb, wonderful, mighty gift we can have - especially if we rescue.

It seems you have a dog like that.

[Slayer Girl]

I meant family pet vs show dog. You dont need anything more then a dog from a shelter if you dont need the papers. Not I said FAMILY PET...not property..im not an a** just because I dont refer to my dog as my little girl. I love her..she lives in my house and is snuggled against me right now. I don't know why you jump on a statement that had no negative meanings.

If all someone wants is a family pet..why not adopt? I am just voicing a fair opinion

[xellil]

just my opinion - if you didn't mean it the way I took it, I apologize.

[Slayer Girl]

just my opinion - if you didn't mean it the way I took it, I apologize.

No worries..I just felt kinda attacked because I was meaning something different. I was comparing what someone wants out of a dog..if you want a show dog..you need papers..adopting is not an option..if you want a dog for your family..adoption is a good option.

[xellil]

I go to a dog class where everyone is so snobby - they brag about their $3500 dogs and of course i have a dog that's bald and has floppy ears, so he's a second class citizen to them. I take some pleasure in the fact that he's the best trained dog in the class, and when he took his good canine citizen test he was one of only two dogs that passed.

But back to the topic - unfortunately, i would not adopt that dog. That's sad to say, but a fearful dog is very difficult to change and I don't think a good home is going to magically make him unafraid and a good family pet. I hope someone thinks differently than me, and saves him.

[nikkiluvsu15]

But back to the topic - unfortunately, i would not adopt that dog. That's sad to say, but a fearful dog is very difficult to change and I don't think a good home is going to magically make him unafraid and a good family pet. I hope someone thinks differently than me, and saves him.

Harleigh was actually a lot like this boy when I adopted her - maybe that is one reason I feel so bad for him.

To see Harleigh today and how much I've worked with her, it just makes me sad that he may never "know" that. She still has her moments today where she just is deathly afraid of people, but we take it in stride and she has come really far. Right now we're dealing with a random fear of bikes, we're working it through and I know its going to take some time... but we celebrate the tiniest improvement and her courage just sores!

Sometimes it would be so much easier to have a super confident dog, but I wouldn't trade her for the world.

And then another story that I just love - Meadow the Vizsla. She (owner obviously) used to be a member on my lab board and Meadows story was absolutely heartwarming and awesome.
Introducing Meadow (there are other videos such as Meadow during month 2, 3 and 4... it details her progress.)

[xellil]

Harleigh was actually a lot like this boy when I adopted her - maybe that is one reason I feel so bad for him.

To see Harleigh today and how much I've worked with her, it just makes me sad that he may never "know" that. She still has her moments today where she just is deathly afraid of people, but we take it in stride and she has come really far. Right now we're dealing with a random fear of bikes, we're working it through and I know its going to take some time... but we celebrate the tiniest improvement and her courage just sores!

Sometimes it would be so much easier to have a super confident dog, but I wouldn't trade her for the world.

I really, really admire you for that. I think it's much harder to help a fearful dog than even an aggressive dog, or a dominant dog. I am glad there are people like you - and hopefully this dog will get a home from someone that knows how to help him.

[frogdog]

I'm just going to say from working for The Humane Society 6yrs during my 20's...all he may need is reassurance. A shelter is a very stressful environment for any animal and it's not unusual to see dogs become scared during their time there. You do have one's that are skittish, timid and may bite. All dogs should have their behavior observed before adoption. I rescued a number of dogs and one was scared of everyone because of the abuse he had received. I worked with him and most importantly had patience along with unconditional love. I can tell you he became the best dog of my life and miss him everyday. He was my heart dog. I think the story is very sad and unfortunately not rare.

I commend you Nikki and think its wonderful the life you've given Harleigh. I rescued "Little One" at 10 months of age and after rehabilitating him you would have never known he experienced a horrifc life his first year.