She was about a year old; a rescue from a breeding facility. Best we could tell, she had spent most of her life in a very cramped space. She hadn't an inkling of cleanliness. When she tried to run in the backyard with the other dogs, she fell...three times...and then gave up. She had no muscle tone. Lifting her was like lifting a limp dish rag because she couldn't hold up any of her body parts except for her head. Her right front elbow stuck out severely, probably from lying in the same position for long periods of time. Most of all, she had a tremendous fear of all things human...and didn't even want to be in the same room with a crate (which the other dogs enjoyed as their own private bedrooms).
The first thing I did was replace the crates with wooden "condos" that had soft beds inside - but no gates!
I gave her the space she craved and let her observe me from a distance. I greeted the other dogs, played with them, rubbed their tummys, and let her observe from her hiding place in the corner. When I gave them treats, I rolled one to her, which she always attacked with vigor.
I will never forget the day that I was playing with the dogs and an unfamiliar paw gingerly touched my leg. When I turned to face her, she quickly backed away. I rolled her a treat. She got closer.
Today, Kayla is never more than a couple of feet away from me. She is the rescue that became my cherished friend, and my forever companion. I can't imagine life without her, and I'm so glad that she came into my life.
Brentwood, TN
