Sometimes humans forget that animals who grew up on the streets require extra time to adjust to a home environment.
Letting go of the fear and stress they carried for so long isn’t easy, so they rely on us to give them space to relax and regain trust. For some, this process can take a few days, while others may need several months.
Mazie, the mama dog in today’s story, needed patience more than most. She spent much of her life on harsh, cold streets and even gave birth to her litter there, making her transition to shelter life more challenging.
Mazie And Her Puppies Are Safe Now
When NorCal Bully Breed Rescue, located in Sacramento, California, learned about a mama dog caring for her pups in a parking lot, they rushed to help.
Mazie and all eight of her puppies were quickly transported to the Sacramento shelter. For the first time, the little family could focus on themselves and no longer worry about finding food or shelter.
Giving Her Time To Open Up
Mazie’s puppies thrived in the shelter environment and all eight found loving forever homes quickly.
Mazie, however, was more reserved.
“Mazie was a little more reserved, a little slower to come around, a little shyer than most people would like. But once she got to know you, she was your best friend! She just needed someone to give her a chance to feel comfortable enough to show that side of herself,” wrote the shelter in a Facebook post.
The staff organized multiple meet-and-greets so Mazie could meet potential adopters, but each visitor felt the same: they didn’t form a connection with her.
Shelter staff reassured adopters that Mazie needed time to adjust. One adopter brought her home, but after three days, Mazie was returned.
“She was even adopted early on and we were so excited for her!!! But then three days later we got the dreaded email…’I’m so sorry but I need to return Mazie. She’s just not fitting in’,” they said.
This return made Mazie even more cautious. She withdrew from her surroundings, making it harder for future adopters to bond with her.
A Loving Family Changes Everything
Thankfully, a woman named Mary agreed to foster Mazie, giving her the patience she needed to open up slowly.
A few months later, the Sacramento shelter received wonderful news.
Barbra and her husband, Dimitri, were searching for a dog to bring love and joy into their home, and Mazie immediately caught their attention.
“Their application looked absolutely perfect. And when we spoke on the phone, she sounded like a dream come true. She understood that dogs need time-and love-to feel comfortable in a new home,” they said.
Since then, Mazie has flourished.
She enjoys her days with her new parents, going on adventures and showing her true, affectionate personality. The shelter staff are overjoyed with her transformation.
“Barbara and Dimitri – THANK YOU for letting her get to know you on her time and her terms. This is one of our favorite adoption stories of all time. We could not have dreamt a more perfect home for our perfect girl,” they concluded.