It's taken a while but I've finally fallen in love with my rescue dog :)

[GinBunny]

Oh my god she's been hard work. She was described by the rescue as timid and gentle - in reality she was utterly traumatised. We know nothing of her past, of course as a rescue they don't know either. Whatever it is she is very very damaged and as our lovely trainer says she is "shut down". We rescued her in April, her coat was like a rug it was so thick from where she had been living outside, filthy dirty and matted, and stunk to high heaven. She's now white as snow but when we got her she was wee-coloured yellow. We couldn't wash her or groom her, her transition has been through shedding alone. She was snappy and snarly, not aggressive just absolutely bloody terrified. What hell has she lived through?
She's been challenging. We had to work through the distrust, the snapping and snarling until she started to realise we weren't going to hurt her. Then we started to build up trust - giving her treats, strokes, eventually cuddles and play. It's slow progress, one minute you'd be stroking her, the next she'd snap and withdraw.
But yesterday she sat in the kitchen watching me do my chores and wagged her tail when I went over to say hello. I sat on the floor and she came over for a head rub. Her eyes are now wide and curious and not side eye suspicion. My heart has melted.
I've wanted to post here many many times asking for help. But I think we're starting to get there!
Please tell me about your rescue dogs and challenges. I'd love to hear about your happy endings.

[ootsideinbacktaefront]

You are amazing, that is all.

[ErrolTheDragon]

thats brilliant - so glad there are people like you who have the patience and ability to put in the love before they 'fall in love'.

[BagelGoesWalking]

I'm so glad you have reached this point and deserve huge praise for working so hard with her.

But, my God, the rescue you got her from should be shot! There is no way the dog (as she was) should have been put up for adoption. Surely, some of that work should have been done by them, before she was deemed ready?

Was it a UK rescue or one from abroad? I follow a lot of rescues and I know the pressures they work under, but I also know that a lot are fostered/assessed/worked with until they're satisfied the dog is "adoptable".

Again, huge congratulations on getting to this point. You and your family must be very patient!

[GinBunny]

Thank you for your kind messages. She's a rescue from abroad. I didn't want to say that as I know there are a lot of people on MN who don't approve of this. I just wanted my post to be about my dog. She's not had a good life but she is a good dog. She's fast asleep right now, she is a snorer, love her!

[Sparklywine]

That's amazing, well done, made me quite teary! You both sound fantastic.

[MaynJune]

It's lovely to read that and I'm so pleased for you.
My dog wasn't in anything like that state, but she was so timid I couldn't touch her for weeks. She would come towards me then back away in fear.
She also had a health condition which made things difficult until it was finally diagnosed after I'd had her a year. It isn't perfect but much better after surgery.
She's been with me for five years now and is the most affectionate and sweet dog you could wish for. She would let strangers pet her all day. I couldn't love her more.

[90daychallenger]

OP, that's really wonderful. Heaven knows what your poor pooch has been through but she's landed on her paws with you. Well done on all your patience and hard work. You're going to be rewarded with a lifetime of love.

[BagelGoesWalking]

I certainly wasn't asking in order to have a go at rescues who work abroad. All the ones I follow do fantastic work and run spay/neuter programmes as well as rehoming. I'm just surprised they put her up for adoption so soon. But they work in such difficult circumstances, it's often very difficult to have time to work with the dogs - lack of time, money and volunteers. I'm sure they are rescues in the uk which face similar problems as well.

Again, you've done brilliantly well. Enjoy!

[chough]

You've done a wonderful job there, Gin.
You've changed her life.

[GinBunny]

No offence taken Bagel, it's just I've seen posters criticised for it in the past and I didn't want to distract from my clever girl. She has come from a huge shelter where they have over 500 dogs, I think she had been there for a while though am not sure.
Mayn I'm so glad to hear your story. It's only been a few months for us, I can't imagine how different she will be in a year or more!

[Queenbean]

What a lovely story. I'm afraid that we will need a picture though!

[OrlandaFuriosa]

Well done, lucky her..

Photo? Or is that too soon?

She sounds great.

[GinBunny]

Here she is, isn't she pretty?

[NarcyCow]

Aw, the lovely fluffly ears : ) She's very pretty indeed, and your story is lovely!

[hiphophippity]

She is gorgeous. The world needs more people like you. Well done and good luck.

[Thattimeofyearagain]

Gin, she is beautiful, and well done to you for giving her the love and time she needed..

[PonyoLovesHam]

Ah she's gorgeous :) we are hopefully getting a rescue dog soon, I'll have to remember this thread if/when it gets tough!

[TheCricketWidow]

Ah shes a cutie. Well done for persevering and for giving her a second chance.