It’s heartbreaking to think about how many dogs never get the chance to show their true selves before their time runs out.
For Mulan, a sweet Pittie girl, her overly protective behavior nearly cost her life. Shaped by past trauma and fear, she was quickly labeled as “aggressive” and placed on the euthanasia list.
To shelter staff, she was a “severely reactive” dog — barking at everyone and refusing to let anyone near her kennel. They believed there was no hope for her.
But just when it seemed her story would end, fate sent her a miracle in the form of a kindhearted rescuer who refused to give up.
A Volunteer Refuses To Give Up
Mulan ended up at the shelter after her previous owners surrendered her. Their landlord forced them to get rid of her, and the shy, undersocialized Pittie was suddenly left without a home.
Unfamiliar with people and other dogs, Mulan relied on her instinct to protect herself. Anyone who came too close to her kennel was met with barking and defensive behavior. For 13 long days, she never left her kennel.
That’s when a volunteer reached out to Martha Moore, vice president of Friends of Guilford County Animal Shelter in North Carolina, to ask if she could help.
“She was so emotionally shut down and not letting anyone near her kennel. She had, by the end of the day, to leave the shelter or she would be put down,” Mulan’s foster mom told The Dodo.
Martha immediately stepped in. She spent two full hours sitting near the kennel, patiently trying to earn Mulan’s trust. Eventually, the frightened dog allowed Martha to slip a leash over her head and lead her to safety.
At first, life in her foster home was difficult. Mulan was nervous and destructive — even tearing apart a room one day. But instead of reacting with anger, Martha chose patience.
She sat quietly on the floor, ignored the mess, and offered Mulan a treat. It was a turning point. For the first time, Mulan walked up to her and gently licked her face, as if to say, “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
From Fearful To Flourishing
That moment marked the beginning of Mulan’s transformation. Slowly but surely, she began opening her heart to her foster family.
Within just two weeks, she was a different dog. Though she still needed a few minutes to warm up to strangers, she was much more relaxed and eager to socialize.
“Mulan is a sensitive girl and needs about 15 minutes to warm up to new people. Once you give her time to get comfortable, you’ll have a friend for life,” Martha explained.
She even began enjoying belly rubs, hugs, and snuggles from her foster mom, something that once seemed impossible.
“Mulan loves playing with other dogs, shares her toys and food/water bowls nicely, and even gets along with cats! The perfect package,” Martha happily shared on Facebook.
After two months of love, patience, and consistent socialization, Mulan had blossomed into a completely new pup.
When the time finally came, Mulan was ready to find her forever family. And she did — a home filled with people who could give her what she needed most: patience, compassion, and unconditional love.
Her journey from being labeled “aggressive” to becoming a cherished family dog is proof of what second chances can do.
With her new family, Mulan is free to live the life she always deserved — one filled with joy, cuddles, and endless love.