It’s utterly heartbreaking to witness dogs so severely neglected and abused that they shut themselves off from everyone out of sheer terror.
You can’t help but wonder what horrors they endured to react that way at the sight of a human. It really pulls at your heart.
For these scared animals, the belief that someone might finally show them genuine love and respect can be the spark that restores their hope.
That’s exactly where Ziggy’s journey begins. She had spent too much time with someone who treated her poorly, and as a result, her whole world was upended.
Ziggy’s New Chance
When Jess first encountered Ziggy at Palm Beach Animal Care and Control, she was stunned by the details of her past.
Rescuers had discovered Ziggy abandoned in a house and suspected she’d been used solely for breeding.
Neglect was evident in every trembling inch of her body. She was petrified of humans and couldn’t stop shaking around her rescuers.
Her fear was so profound that staff even considered placing her on the euthanasia list, unsure if she’d ever recover.
The moment Jess met her, she saw a dog completely shut down: refusing to move or make eye contact.
After thirty days with no sign of progress, Jess began to seriously weigh the idea of fostering Ziggy.
Ziggy Is Loving Her New Life
Once Jess brought Ziggy home to Florida, the immediate change was comfort, but not much else.
Ziggy stayed tucked inside her crate, so Jess’s boyfriend sat beside it, offering a comforting presence that gently reassured her she was safe.
Everything from mirrors to household noises was new and startling to Ziggy, who clearly had never lived indoors.
Even mealtime was tense: Ziggy kept glancing around, terrified someone might snatch her bowl away.
But the other dogs in the home became her allies. Watching them move freely around the house gave her the courage to explore alongside them.
She Has Changed Completely
Jess also discovered Ziggy’s love of toys. She’d clutch them in her crate, her personal sanctuary.
The first bath was a revelation: as the water rinsed away the grime, Ziggy visibly relaxed, a small but powerful sign of her trust growing.
Day by day, her happiness shone through more clearly, and the other dogs truly became her friends, guiding her past each lingering fear.
Bit by bit, Ziggy began to open up to her foster family, which was a sure sign to Jess that fostering had been the right choice.
Though everyone adores Ziggy, she isn’t a “foster fail.” She remains on the adoption list and will stay with Jess until she finds her forever home. Here’s hoping her next chapter is as bright as the progress she’s already made.