From Foster to Fur-ever

Meet Skye

In June of this year, a stray came to our Shelter. This young dog was sweet but very nervous. She did not like being handled and was very submissive around other dogs. This initially shy girl would nervously come to the front of the cage but was easily overwhelmed.  We knew it would take a patient person to help her gain confidence and trust. After seeing our vet staff, vaccinations, and a spay surgery, she was made available for adoption. 2 days later, her whole life changed. We knew her as Rita; her name is now Skye.

“6 months ago, I went to the Nevada Humane Society for the 4th time….trying to find a new doggy to help fill the hole my 14-year-old lab left in my heart last December. I told my daughter that when and if a dog chose me, that would be my dog.  At least 10 doggies later, in came “Rita.”

She was terribly malnourished and so shy that she literally crawled on her belly to reach me. It took all the courage she had to climb on my lap, and then she buried her head in my neck.  And wouldn’t move. Instant love. I’ve never rescued a dog. And I’ve never had anything but a puppy, so this was a very new experience for me. I fostered her with the intent to adopt her. She had many issues to overcome. And I had much to learn to help her. She didn’t trust anyone…growled at everyone she met.  She was too afraid to take a walk. She wouldn’t leave my side. She wouldn’t even go outside on her own.

It was like this for a few months. When they say, it takes a village. It sure did in this case.  My daughter Brooke wouldn’t let me give up on her. My friends Angela and Gregg held my hand through all of it…making Skye welcome anytime they saw her.  Even if she growled at them. Nevada Humane Society helped me with encouragement and tons of guidance. My staff at HRC welcomed her with open arms all the days I had to bring her to work. The Zoom Room Dog trained me on how to train her. We started with private lessons, then group lessons, and now she has graduated to advanced obedience and is incredible at advanced agility. I plan on taking her as far as she wants to go in classes and in learning.

Our next goal is to train her as a therapy dog. We have another dog named Franklyn, and they love to play tug of war together. Skye will not give up until she wins, and once she wins, she will do a victory lap by prancing around the house. We are still working on a few things: accidents in the house, and she is scared of hoodies and beanies. But with time and patience, I know we can fix it together. She has gotten a lot better with visitors. She is proof that with love, patience, and relationships with people you can trust…anything is possible. We officially adopted her a little over a month ago.

I cannot thank my village enough!!!! I’m teary as I’m writing this. They were all TEAM “SKYE”. I truly believe we were meant to be together to heal each other.”

We are grateful for everyone who has helped Skye on her journey and that she is doing so wonderful.

Every animal deserves the chance and support to show how amazing they truly are.