Dogs come into our lives to give and receive unconditional love.
That’s why it’s devastating to see some of them subjected to cruelty and fear instead.
Mable, a gentle and beautiful pup, had never known what it felt like to be touched with kindness.
Her past was filled with pain—abused and mistreated by heartless owners, she grew into a dog who flinched at every gesture and lost all trust in humans.
Fortunately, Mable was saved from that horrible life and brought to safety at a shelter.
But even there, her fear was overwhelming. Shelter staff were heartbroken when they saw her for the first time. She trembled constantly, her eyes filled with sorrow.
Though the caregivers gently tried to comfort her, Mable kept her distance. She expected pain every time someone got close. Love was a foreign concept to her.
Mable Meets Her Foster Mom
Angela Marie, founder of Angela’s Ark, a rescue based in Charlotte, North Carolina, also runs an animal sanctuary in Wyoming. From the moment she met Mable, Angela could see just how deeply afraid the pup was.
“When I first saw her, you could see it in her eyes. It’s like she wanted to disappear,” Angela told The Dodo.
Determined to help her heal, Angela brought Mable home to foster her and begin the long journey toward emotional recovery.
She prepared a quiet space with a crate where Mable could feel safe and decompress.
Angela would sit nearby and softly talk to her, but every attempt to approach was met with fear. Mable would shrink into the corner of her crate, trembling and avoiding all eye contact.
Angela even tried taking her to the beach, hoping the fresh air might help her relax—but Mable couldn’t enjoy the walk. Her body language spoke volumes: ears pinned back, tail tucked tightly, always bracing for something bad to happen.
Working To Heal A Broken Heart
Angela never gave up. She sat on the floor with Mable and fed her by hand, patiently offering praise and reassurance.
Slowly, ever so slowly, Mable began to respond. Although still cautious, she was gradually warming up to her foster mom.
She continued to flinch when touched, but Angela saw the tiniest signs of progress—proof that Mable was beginning to believe love might actually exist.
One day, Mable surprised everyone. In a sudden burst of joy, she zoomed across the backyard for the first time—free and full of life. For that moment, it was as if her past no longer held her captive.
Angela was overwhelmed with happiness. Mable’s transformation had truly begun.
Walks became something Mable looked forward to. She held her tail high, took in her surroundings, and moved with confidence. Her healing was undeniable.
Celebrating Every Milestone
Angela will never forget the first time Mable invited her to play. She approached with bright eyes, tail wagging, and a playful bounce in her step. It was a breakthrough, and the beginning of something beautiful.
The once-fearful pup had finally begun to trust.
“The first time I was able to pet Mable, I sat down on the floor next to her, gently stroking her, and then I would take my hand off. And I tried to do that over and over again so that she could get used to a hand coming at her and realizing that it wasn’t going to hurt,” Angela shared.
Angela couldn’t be prouder of how far Mable has come.
“I think my favorite part of this experience is watching who Mable is now compared to the dog she was at the shelter. I see less and less of that dog at the shelter every day. The little milestones are something I will always be beyond proud of her for,” she added.
After nearly a year of healing and learning what real love feels like, Mable is ready to find her forever family.
She’s searching for a home filled with kindness, patience, and unconditional love—everything she missed in her early life.
Mable’s journey is a powerful reminder of how love can heal even the deepest wounds.
And thanks to Angela, she now knows that the world can be a safe and beautiful place.