Foster on Feather

ALL SMILES AT A RECENT DECK PARTY:

Hi, Karen. Thank you for letting me know about the Red Lake Rosie's Rescue posts featuring my foster dog, Feather. It was very sweet and my immediate reaction was to want to hug her, as I could hear her out in the backyard with the others dogs barking and playing. Of course, she still won't let me pet her, but she is improving and a very happy girl.

I sent some more photos to further display how far this little girl has come. This picture was taken on her second day at my house. Her underside looked incredibly worse than the top her body.

This was also taken the second day she was here. When we arrived the night before, she was so scared and disoriented that all she wanted to do was hide her head.

Within a few weeks, she started to understand that the routine here was not threatening. She was in a loving, caring, consistent environment and she started to start taking little baby steps.

All the while she never displayed the smallest bit of aggression or any tendency to bite out of fear. She was, from the first day, very docile and sweet, just scared and confused.

She got along wonderfully with all my other dogs and was very patient and gentle with the cats too.

After several days of being confined to this spot outside during the day, she started to recognize the play and friendly atmosphere at the house from me and the other dogs and she would sit up and watch intently.

Slowly, she started exploring more than just her little safe spots inside and outside the house. Each day I would try to challenge her a bit with moving out of her comfort zones to realize she was free to go anywhere in the house with the other dogs and outside to move around and play.

I was able after awhile to bring her down to the TV room so she could enjoy everyone's company there and relax with us rather than staying in her safe spot in the kitchen.

Gradually, her world started to expand. Her confidence has continued to grow little by little.

DENISE SAYS: Check out that SMILE!!