A scared little pup cowers in a corner, waiting until the weight of his traumatic past is lifted.
.png)
Once upon a time, wildlife management officials came across a furry creature in a wooded area. The animal was restrained by a thick leather strap that was attached to a chain. Additionally, he was tethered to a tree, unable to move freely.
The wee creature was huddled inside the skeletal remains, appearing absolutely petrified. Based on the surroundings, it was clear that somebody had placed it there purposefully to meet its demise. It had no access to nourishment or hydration.
Courtney Bellew, Snarr’s Director of Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation, affirmed, “Upon discovering the animal, we immediately surmised that its past must have been incredibly distressing.”
His name was Stewart and he was taken to a shelter where he experienced a challenging start. While all pups at the shelter have a tough time initially, Stewart had an exceptionally dreadful experience as he spent most of his day crouched in a corner. A helper shared that Stewart was visibly frightened and refused any physical contact from anyone.
Whenever someone tried to approach him, he would simply retreat, growl, and conceal his little head. These were clear signs that he had undergone unfair and unpleasant treatment. He was so frightened that removing his bulky leather collar proved impossible. “Stewart was extremely disturbed by our arrival, so we came up with a new idea. We decided to let him unwind,” shared Rebecca Rood, one of the assistants.
It can be challenging for a young dog to secure a forever home in such circumstances. Yet, the volunteers were determined to help. They tried various methods to provide the pup with additional time and room, but none proved successful.
Courtney noticed that he wasn’t eating much and due to the inability to take him to a vet, she decided to sedate him and bring him in for a series of tests.
.jpg)
The veterinarian administered a treatment that would help the animal regain its strength. During this time, Courtney used the opportunity while the animal was sedated to remove the unpleasant jewelry.
As soon as Stewart woke up and got rid of that heavy burden, his attitude completely transformed. He bravely took a look at the volunteers for the first time and seemed to be willing to engage with them. Courtney remembered how the collar around his neck represented a burden from his past, and how after removing it, he started to show signs of improvement by opening up and even wagging his tail.
Stewart’s sorrowful cries might have discouraged many, but luckily he crossed paths with some amazing rescuers who are now ensuring his full recovery. It’s unclear what caused this little dog to develop such a deep fear of humans, but every gesture of kindness from his rescuers is helping him leave his traumatic past behind. Remember to share this message and remind everyone that every pup deserves a second chance.
