No one truly knows what Goldie endured before she was discovered on the streets of South Carolina and taken to a struggling shelter.
As she arrived at the shelter, Goldie froze, overcome with confusion and sadness.
A staff member gently stroked her, hoping to soothe her and offer comfort, but the dog didn’t respond.
Placed inside her kennel, the lovely Labrador curled up on a torn blanket. She lowered her head and stared blankly at the wall, gripped by fear and hopelessness.
With no one stepping forward to claim her, Goldie remained withdrawn and silent. Due to the shelter’s limited resources, they began considering her for the euthanasia list.
A Volunteer Steps In to Help
One shelter volunteer was deeply moved after meeting Goldie and became determined to intervene.
They contacted Hounds in Pounds, a New Jersey-based rescue that saves at-risk dogs from euthanasia.
The volunteer sent the group photos and videos of Goldie, asking them to step in and help bring the timid dog to safety.
Goldie was also diagnosed with heartworm and required immediate care.
The footage had a profound effect on the rescue team.
“When we saw the video of her staring at the wall, shaking, we knew we had to get her help,” a representative from Hounds In Pounds told The Dodo.
The team quickly worked to secure a safe place for Goldie after her rescue. Through their network, they connected with a local vet and coordinated with the shelter volunteer.
The veterinarian agreed to temporarily care for Goldie while she recovered.
Everyone involved felt hopeful about what lay ahead.
When the staff led her from her kennel, Goldie still wore a look of sadness. She had no idea her life was about to take a new direction.
Healing Begins in a New Environment
Now under the vet’s care, the gentle Labrador is receiving the attention she needs. She has a soft new bed and has begun to relax.
Slowly, Goldie is starting to rebuild her trust in people.
She began working with a trainer who helped encourage her to walk and move again. Already, she seems more at ease and has started to emerge from her shell.
“She gets better each day. She is still shut down but starting to trust. She had her first session with a trainer who got her up and moving with ease, and today she was walking around the clinic with no convincing,” the representative added.
When the time is right, Goldie will be transported to New Jersey and placed in a foster home. That step will bring her even closer to finding a forever family who will truly love her.
There’s no doubt that Goldie will heal fully and find the loving home she’s always deserved.