It’s absolutely tragic to see dogs who have been neglected and abused so severely that they end up completely withdrawing from everyone out of fear.
I mean, just what did they have to go through to have that kind of reaction to seeing other people? It’s really heartbreaking to think about.
One thing that gives dogs like this hope is the idea that someone might treat them with the love and respect that they deserve.
That’s essentially how Ziggy’s story starts. She was a sweet dog who spent too long with someone who didn’t respect her, and because of that, her life changed completely.
Ziggy’s New Beginning
When Jess first met Ziggy, a dog who was at the Palm Beach Animal Care and Control, she was shocked to learn her backstory.
Apparently, she was found by the rescuers abandoned in a house. They believe that she was only used for breeding by her previous owner.
There were serious signs of neglect on her, so she ended up being terrified of other people. She couldn’t even stop shivering in the presence of her rescuers.
Her situation was so serious that the rescuers were considering placing her on the euthanasia list because they were not sure if she was ever going to recover.
When Jess met her, she could immediately tell how withdrawn and scared she was. She wouldn’t look at anybody, nor would she move at all.
The rescuers told her that she had made no progress in the 30 days that she was there, so Jess considered the idea of fostering her.
Ziggy’s Foster Journey
When she was finally settled on the idea, she took Ziggy to her home in Florida. While the situation didn’t change much right away, at least the pup now had some comfort.
She never left the crate, so Jess’s boyfriend lay near the crate to help her feel safe and loved. They could tell right away that she had never been in a house before.
All of this was pretty new to her. She had to get used to mirrors, doors, and random noises, all of which startled her at first.
When Jess fed her, she realized that Ziggy kept looking around because she was scared that someone would come and steal her food.
One thing that really made a big difference for her was the other dogs in the house. They made her feel comfortable, and she would start walking around the house with them.
She Has Transformed Completely
Jess was also glad to learn that Ziggy really liked toys. She would always take them into her crate. It was her safe space and a retreat from everything that overwhelmed her.
After giving Ziggy a bath for the first time, Jess could immediately tell how relieved she was. All of these small changes meant that this withdrawn pup was slowly starting to open up.
Her joy was becoming more apparent with every day. The other dogs were her best friends, and they helped her overcome all of her fears.
Slowly but surely, she warmed up to her foster parents, and this was a good sign for Jess. It meant that her foster journey was a success.
Even though they love Ziggy so much, she won’t be a foster fail. She is still on an adoption list and will stay with her foster parents until she finds a forever home. I hope everything turns out great for her.