Once someone has let you down, it can be incredibly challenging to rebuild that trust again, can’t it? The stray pup, Stella, and her rescuer, Niall, unfortunately, know this too well.
Running around the streets with a rope tied tightly around her neck, Stella had no idea what to do. However, when Niall noticed her, it was clear to him that she needed immediate medical attention.
But there was one problem: Stella did not trust him at all!
Every time a hooman tried to approach her, she showed them her sharp teeth and warned them to stay back.
But Niall was determined!
Rescue Mission
Even though he tried different strategies, from talking to her in a sweet voice to trying to help her, Stella was just not having it.
“She was clearly in a lot of pain. The string was really digging into her neck, so she was so scared of us that she actually wanted to bite us,” Niall told The Dodo.
After many trials and errors, the determined rescuer finally managed to capture this sweet girl, put her into a kennel, and rush her to the vet.
The worried medical staff swiftly removed the rope from her neck and assessed the wounds it caused. And even though this provided Stella with immediate relief, she still wasn’t ready to trust the hoomans around her.
She retreated to the back of her kennel, continuing to growl at anybody who tried to approach.
“Touching her was absolutely out of the question,” he added.
Luckily, Stella found herself in the care of the most patient and determined humans who simply refused to give up on her.
Not a single day had passed without them standing at her kennel, trying to convince her to just give them a chance.
An entire week passed by, and not much had changed. But then, all of a sudden, Niall noticed something incredible.
She was no longer growling at him!
He decided to try to pet her, and even though she stepped back after a few seconds, Niall knew that just by allowing him to touch her, they made huge progress!
“It actually took us six or seven days to be able to get close enough. It took hours and hours and hours of just sitting with her and gently stroking her more and more,” Niall stated.
Gradually, Stella started coming out of her shell, showing everybody what an incredible girl she truly was.
New Life
After having a couple of play dates with other pups, Stella realized that she loved the company of her furry friends.
She would carefully monitor what they were doing and attempt to copy them. In no time, she transformed into the most playful pup ever.
She now loves running around the field, playing fun games, and bathing in the warm sun!
The second Niall noticed this incredible shift in her behavior, his heart was filled with joy and pride.
“Stella’s personality now is just amazing. She loves getting attention from people,” he said.
This blooming girl will spend some more time in Niall’s care, but when the time is right, she will go to a forever family who will teach her everything she needs to know about love, kindness, and adoration.
Until then, good luck, Stella!