A warm hello to everyone at New Hope Dog Rescue!
I just thought that I would send a happy update about Sasha (formerly – Tina). I adopted her in early December 2007 at the tender age of 6 months. She was classed as special needs due to her extreme timidity/terror around all people. You had asked for her to go to a home that was quiet with another dog for her to bond with.
When she met Rio, she fell in love. It wasn’t always mutual at first but once she learned her boundaries and proper doggie etiquette they became fast friends. I dog sit for a neighbour dog, Missy. She is a very playful dog and was so gentle with Sasha and would play with her until sleep overcame them. They still adore each other and play together about 5 days each week. The three of them are amazing. Rio is never jealous and has had to learn how to be gentle with her. It did not come easily. He is 80 lbs. to her 40 and had never played much with other dogs, himself (he is also a rescue God blessed me with).
Anyhow, it took Sasha over one year to become completely trusting of me in every situation. We took baby steps. She would feel safe with me on my bed but terrified of me in the hallway. Safe if I was sitting, running away if I stood up. One of the first days, she ran from me, sat on the shoe shelf and pooped into my running shoe! She always wanted to be wherever Rio was and took to sleeping at the foot of his loveseat on the floor. Rio does not like to be crowded or she would be right up there with him.
I take all three of them out for a long run in the country everyday, weather permitting. We walk about two miles. Well, I walk two miles and they run all over. They love to hunt mice and are quite good at it. Yech! They also love to play chase with the antelope. She and I are so close now, that she loves to sit cuddles up on the swing outside with me while I read. Last February, she had a dilemma. Rio decided to go to bed in my room. I was still in the living room. She always follows him wherever he goes. But on this night something changed. She didn’t want to leave me but wanted to follow him. She went in and out, back and forth for about 20 minutes and I finally just went to bed to keep her happy. Now, she has found a spot in the hallway where she can still see me but is close enough to Rio that she is okay. When I get up from my chair to join them, I get greeted like a returning hero!
I want to thank everyone at New Hope for all you do for these wonderful small creatures. I hope you enjoy these photos. I can’t imagine life without my little girl.
