When trust is broken, it can be tough to restore it, wouldn’t you agree? This is a lesson known all too well by Stella, a wayward dog, and her rescuer Niall.
With a rope tightly fastened around her neck, Stella roamed the streets, filled with confusion. Niall saw her and quickly recognized that she required urgent medical care.
However, there was a significant barrier: Stella was deeply distrustful of him!
Whenever someone attempted to get close, she bared her teeth, signaling them to keep their distance.
But Niall was unyielding!
Rescue Mission
Despite his efforts, ranging from soothing words to gentle approaches, Stella was still quite resistant.
“She was in evident distress. The rope was digging into her neck, and she was so frightened that she attempted to bite us,” Niall shared with The Dodo.
After numerous attempts, the resolute rescuer finally succeeded in securing the adorable dog, placing her in a kennel and hurrying her to the veterinarian.
The attentive medical team quickly removed the rope from her neck and examined the resulting injuries. While this brought Stella some immediate relief, she was still not ready to trust the humans in her vicinity.
She nestled deep into the corner of her kennel, persistently growling at anyone attempting to come near.
“Touching her was completely out of the question,” he added.
Fortunately, Stella ended up in the hands of compassionate and patient humans who were committed to not giving up on her.
Every single day, they spent time standing by her kennel, trying to persuade her to trust them.
A week slipped by with little change, but then, all of a sudden, Niall experienced a remarkable breakthrough.
Stella had stopped growling at him!
He decided to attempt to pet her, and while she recoiled briefly, Niall recognized that her allowing him to touch her was a significant milestone!
“It genuinely took us around six or seven days to get this close. Hours upon hours were spent sitting with her and gently caressing her more and more,” Niall remarked.
Slowly, Stella began to open up, revealing the wonderful personality she had hidden away.
New Life
After a few playdates with other dogs, Stella discovered her love for being around fellow pups.
She closely observed their antics and attempted to mimic them. In no time, she blossomed into the most exuberant puppy.
Now, she delights in dashing across the fields, engaging in lively games, and basking in the warmth of the sun!
The moment Niall observed this magnificent change in her demeanor, his heart swelled with happiness and pride.
“Stella’s personality is simply incredible now. She adores attention from people,” he remarked.
This blossoming pup will continue to be cared for by Niall, but when the time is right, she will find a forever home that will teach her all about love, compassion, and devotion.
Until then, best of luck, Stella!
