When a dog has spent most of its life alone on the streets, desperately scavenging for food, it’s understandable that it may lose trust in humans. Consequently, any rescue attempts could be met with reluctance and fear.
This was certainly the case for a stray dog named Shania.
Whenever a rescuer approached her, she would carefully evaluate them before darting away as quickly as she could.
Yet, with her being heavily pregnant and due to deliver any moment, the rescuers were determined to get her out of the frigid temperatures without delay.
One Expectant Mother
When the rescuers learned of an impending record-breaking snowstorm, their concern deepened.
Fortunately, someone notified them that Shania had already given birth, and because of that, she was devoted to her puppies and unable to flee. This presented the perfect moment to capture her, so the rescuers quickly made their way to her location and safely took her under their wing.
“They eventually succeeded in catching her. We got her settled, and that marked the beginning of her journey with us,” Leesa recounted to The Dodo.
Upon arrival, Shania and her puppies underwent a thorough checkup and all of them were found to be in excellent health. This was hardly surprising, given the observation that Shania was incredibly attentive and nurturing towards her little ones.
Despite her affectionate nature, Shania struggled with trusting and interacting with people due to her feral background.
“She was quite avoidant. We took our time and began hand-feeding her slowly. She possessed such a lovely demeanor – never snapping at anyone, always sweet and patient,” she remarked.
The rescuers made the decision to let her acclimate at her own speed before introducing a leash. She, however, wasn’t fond of it.
Whenever she sensed the leash on her, Shania would panic, trying to free herself. Fortunately, it didn’t take her long to understand that the leash wouldn’t harm her, and soon after, she accepted it without issue.
“We would take her into stores, and she would happily trot beside us, careful not to apply any pressure on the leash,” noted Leesa.
A Joyful Family
With a strong mother to guide them and surrounded by kind humans, Shania’s puppies blossomed into healthy, beautiful companions.
Each and every one of them found their forever families, where they continued to receive endless love and care.
Shania stayed with Leesa, who eventually brought her home and introduced her to life as a house pet.
There, she formed a connection with Otis – the sweetest dog, quickly becoming her best friend.
Shania cherished her time with Otis, who helped her emerge from her shell and embrace her new life.
“Being around him and other dogs, Banjo and Hades, made her feel more at ease with us,” Leesa shared.
Shania was overjoyed, constantly craving affection and even making her way onto the couch for cuddles with her humans.
She reached peak happiness when she learned that she had found a forever home!
“The most confident I observed her was during our first visit to her adoptive family,” she noted.
She was finally part of a family!
Shania now enjoys the idyllic life every dog dreams of, spending her days with her humans engaging in playful outings, leisurely walks, and warm cuddles.
Embracing her new life has allowed Shania to shine, completely leaving her troubled past behind.
