Sadly, not every dog has the chance to experience a joyful and loving home.
Some dogs find themselves pushed into roles they aren’t suited for. Take Juniper, for example—an adorable girl who was bred to be a racing dog.
Fortunately, she caught the attention of some wonderful humans who were determined to give her the happy life she truly deserved.
A Much Needed Rescue Mission
When Johansson started searching for a furry companion, she decided that adopting a rescue dog was a must. She understood their plight and knew that providing a home for one would drastically improve their lives.
During her online research, she learned that Greyhounds are often utilized for racing, typically leading to a lack of the care they truly deserve.
“It quickly became clear that I wanted to offer a home to a retired racer,” Johansson explained in an interview.
Upon discovering a particularly sweet dog, she recognized immediately that Juniper was the one. Without hesitation, Johansson adopted her and gave her the name Juniper.
“She was named after the Juniper bush, known for thriving in harsh conditions and still emerging beautiful. It felt like a fitting representation of her resilience,” she shared.
Upon bringing Juniper to her new home, Johansson made the decision to leave the dog’s past behind and not dwell on it too much.
“I have her racing name and number, which would allow me to uncover her full history, but I’ve chosen not to pursue that. The last time I tried, I ended up in tears, overwhelmed by the cruel fate many of these dogs face,” she remarked.
From Rags to Riches
There was no need for Johansson to delve into Juniper’s past; she could draw conclusions based on the pup’s appearance at the time of adoption.
Juniper was visibly terrified of humans and had a kennel coat, with coarse and patchy fur. Her relationship with food was also problematic, as she used to devour her meals hastily due to past experiences of hunger.
Given that all she knew were races and cages, it took Johansson a whole year to teach Juniper about the joys of life.
“I remember the first time she lay down to sleep while we were having dinner instead of trying to scrounge food from us,” she recounted.
Fast forward to now, and Juniper has transformed dramatically!
She now enjoys her own cozy bed and loves playing with her wonderful family. Where she once shied away from people, she now eagerly runs up to them, seeking cuddles and belly rubs.
“These days, she comes over and demands cuddles. She nudges against me and tries to worm her head under my hand to get some love,” Johansson shared.
Such an incredible transformation would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of her amazing human. A heartfelt thank you to Johansson for being the change this world so urgently needs!
“We need more people to consider adopting and rehabilitating these dogs. I want others to see them as loving and devoted family companions, not as machines to exploit for profit,” Johansson concluded.
