We may never learn the full story of what Stewie endured before being found, but it’s clear that his past was filled with fear and a lack of kindness. The young pup seemed unfamiliar with affection and had likely never known what it felt like to be loved by humans.
When people spotted him darting along a Florida highway, their instinct was to help. But Stewie, overwhelmed by fear, refused to let anyone near him.
Initially, the concerned residents thought his extreme anxiety might be due to a medical issue. Realizing they couldn’t safely catch him on their own, they contacted Orange County Animal Services, a shelter located in Orlando, Florida.
Stewie Arrives At The Shelter
The shelter team responded quickly, rushing to the location. When they saw how frightened Stewie was, their hearts sank. It was clear this rescue wouldn’t be easy.
After a tense effort, the team managed to guide him into a humane trap. Once secured, they brought him back to the shelter, estimating his age to be around one year.
Adjusting to the kennel environment was incredibly difficult for Stewie.
Every sound startled him. The constant noise of the shelter made him retreat to the farthest corner of his kennel, where he crouched low, trying to disappear.
When staff attempted to place a leash around his neck to take him outside, Stewie panicked. He dropped to the ground, resisting with all his strength.
They tried switching to a harness, hoping it might be less frightening, but that didn’t help either.
“[He] was willing to self-injure to get away,” Savanna Palmer, lead behaviorist at Orange County Animal Services, told The Dodo.
It was obvious that Stewie had little to no experience with people. His behavior was nearly feral.
The shelter team worked tirelessly to find a way to reach him, hoping to help him feel safe enough to begin trusting.
Then, one day, Stewie did something unexpected. He reached out and placed his paw on a staff member’s arm, gripping it tightly.
That simple touch seemed to soothe him. With his paw held gently, Stewie found the courage to stand and begin walking.
“If the staff member dropped his paws, Stewie would go right back to panicking and bucking. The moment he was held hand to paw, Stewie felt more comfortable walking,” Palmer added.
The staff was thrilled to see this small but powerful act of bravery. They found it both touching and encouraging.
Looking Toward A Brighter Future
Palmer, who works closely with animals to help them adjust to the shelter’s noisy environment, always tries to understand what each dog needs to feel safe.
When Stewie reached out and held a staff member’s hand, they saw it as his way of asking for comfort and assurance.
Since arriving at the shelter, Stewie has made steady progress. He’s become more open to human interaction and now goes on walks, always holding hands.
With the support of the shelter team and confidence-building exercises, Stewie has grown braver each day.
To truly thrive, though, Stewie needed a quieter space where he could decompress and continue healing.
Fortunately, a kind foster stepped forward. Furever Bully Love Rescue in Florida arranged for Stewie to leave the shelter and begin his next chapter.
His foster family promised to be patient and give him the time he needs to feel safe.
There’s every reason to believe that Stewie will continue to blossom in his foster home and eventually find the loving family he deserves.