Sometimes, when a puppy has been mistreated for a long time, it learns not to trust any human. The fear that every new person might hurt them the same way is too much. These dogs often do their best to stay away from people. They hide and, if they feel cornered, they might even lash out to protect themselves.
The Story of a Little Frenchie
Today, I want to share a story about a little French Bulldog who didn’t get the start in life she deserved, which made her wary of all humans at her rescue shelter.
Terrified Frenchie
Upon her arrival at a shelter in Ohio, the dog named Sunshine was petrified. She spent her days shivering, hiding in a corner, trying to become invisible. Joe, a rescuer from Ohio, shared with The Dodo that for the first few days, all he could do was sit quietly by her cage and wait for her to trust him. “After about two weeks she began to approach, sniff my hand, and let me pet her without trembling,” he recounted.
It took a whole two weeks for Sunshine to muster the courage to explore whether her rescuers were truly friends. To her joy, they were.
Finding a Foster Home
The Ohio shelter decided that Sunshine needed to experience a real family’s love, so they placed her in a foster home. “She was quite scared at first, hesitant to come near us, and she wasn’t in good health—very thin,” said Tina, Sunshine’s foster mom. Tina was heartbroken seeing Sunshine’s condition but knew that love and care were what this sweet pup needed to come out of her shell. Determined to provide this, Tina took her home.
Adjusting to a New Life
At the foster home, Sunshine had a lot to learn. She had been used as a breeding dog in a puppy mill and was unfamiliar with everyday household items and activities. “She followed my other dog around to learn everything,” Tina added. The concept of a bed was foreign to Sunshine, and she was clueless about what to do with a pile of toys.
Thankfully, as time passed, Sunshine began to understand her new environment. She even started experiencing her first-ever zoomies—racing around in playful bursts of energy.
Learning to Trust and Love
Sunshine slowly relaxed and began to trust enough to simply be a dog. One day, while Tina was watching one of Joe’s videos, Sunshine curiously approached and began watching too. Recognizing Joe’s voice, the first human to show her kindness, filled her with happiness. From then on, whenever she heard his voice, she couldn’t contain her excitement. Knowing this, Tina planned a special surprise for Sunshine— a reunion with Joe.
A Joyful Reunion
The meeting was a heartwarming scene. It was hard to tell who was happier—Sunshine, who was reunited with an incredible human, or Joe, who was amazed by Sunshine’s transformation. They spent their time together playing, having fun, and enjoying treats.
Final Word
It’s truly amazing to see the difference love and kindness can make. Sunshine transformed from a trembling, terrified dog into one that loves to play, run around, and spend time with humans. This incredible turnaround in such a short time convinced Joe and Tina that Sunshine was ready to live the best life possible, as soon as she finds a forever family that will love and appreciate her as she truly deserves.
Good girl, Sunshine! You’ve shown us all how powerful and healing love can be.
