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Scared Mother Dog Completely Transforms With Care And Love

For people who have overcome difficulties in life, it’s hard for them to open their hearts and trust other people. They would always prefer to be alone and even deny having any interactions with the outside world. We all know that time and effort are required for these people to slowly change their thoughts. And it’s not surprising that these complicated emotions and behaviors are also shared among animals, especially dogs, a very sensitive species. Today, let’s meet Butterfly and listen to her story to better understand how this loveable dog went through trials before actually finding her smile again.
Butterfly used to live an outdoor life with her four little puppies before being rescued by the Navajo Nation. Hence, when she first moved to the Animal Sanctuary, the mother dog was so confused and she could not get familiar with the situation. In stark contrast to her energetic kids, Butterfly was extremely quiet and she denied being touched by anyone. The canine was so scared that she always tried to hide as fast as possible whenever she was noticed.

Source: Best Friends Animal Society

At that time, it was troublesome not to be able to approach her. But then, Animal Sanctuary staff figured out a possible way to reach this shy dog. They came up with the idea of canine companionship and provided the dear puppy with a new friend. She was introduced to Dorian, a dynamic dog, who enjoys spending time with his caregivers. He is considered as a perfect candidate for showing Butterfly how funny life can be. 
The Best Friend teams started the “Butterfly Project” with basic activities like letting Dorian and Butterfly be together and it actually worked. The introverted mom started to leave the sad face behind and tried to copy her friend’s actions. She then enjoyed all the funny activities like running along the fence and playing with neighbors.

Source: Best Friends Animal Society

However, at that time it was still impossible for people in the Sanctuary to directly touch her.
“She would watch us, and she would take treats from us,” says Ramsey Schatz, one of Butterfly’s caregivers. “But she would stretch out to get the treat and then dart back.”
During that period, Butterfly seemed to need more time and patience before actually accepting a close hug from human friends. So, people in the shelter decided to work with the shy dog one step at a time while waiting for her acceptance.

Source: Best Friends Animal Society

Gradually, Butterfly joined more and more activities with Dorian and she began to get familiar with accidental pats and scratches while being near Dorian. Not long after that, Ramsey was trusted to officially touch this little pup.
“She decided that felt really, really good,” Ramsey explains with a laugh. “Almost like a cat, she’d lean into it.”

Source: Best Friends Animal Society

The gap between the caregiver and her lovely dog was gradually narrowed as Ramsey would spend 15 to 30 minutes every day to sit with Dorian and Butterfly and offer them treats.

Source: Best Friends Animal Society

Source: Best Friends Animal Society

Yet, there still existed a big fear and Butterfly had to deal with it before actually turning into the shining dog she is now. She had to become friends with the leash, the thing that scared her the most.
It took several months for Butterfly to be consistently comfortable with the leash. Starting with letting the timid canine have slight interaction with the rope, the caregiver knew that the dog felt the pressure. However, with a few more months of practice, the leash and going on walks became things Butterfly looked forward to.

Source: Best Friends Animal Society

These days, Butterfly is a pro walker. To look at Butterfly now, there is hardly a trace of that scared, shy behavior left. She is excited to meet new people, and she can go out for adventures with volunteers without a problem.
“She’s just such a happy dog,” Ramsey says. “She’s one of those dogs who, if you’re having a bad day and you go sit in with her, she’ll make you feel better. She’s just a bright-light, sparkly energy sort of dog.”
For now, the shining dog is looking for a new forever home. If you are planning to adopt a new friend, why don’t you consider this little puppy? You can visit Best Friends Animal Society for further information about Butterfly.
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