When a nervous dog was found huddled by a log at an abandoned, haunted-looking house, an animal control officer knew she had to take things slowly to win his trust.
A Cold And Lonely Wait
He was huddled by a log on the Michigan property, just trying his best to keep warm.
The poor dog was completely alone, waiting in the yard of an empty home.
When help finally arrived and a rescuer gently asked, “You’re gonna come with me?” the nervous pup wasn’t quite ready to trust.
Startled by her presence, he quickly got up and bolted toward the back of the property.
Tied To A Spooky Property
The dog seemed deeply attached to the property.
He hadn’t left the area for several days, leading rescuers to believe he had likely lived there before the home was abandoned.
When Officer Shaina approached the scene, she noted the eerie atmosphere.
She described the abandoned home as looking similar to a haunted house straight out of a horror movie.
A Gentle Lure
Chasing him would only scare him further away from the only place he knew.
Instead of forcing the issue, she decided to try a much gentler approach.
She set up a humane trap, outfitting it with cozy blankets and tempting food to lure him in.
Safely Secured
A little over an hour later, Officer Shaina returned to check on the setup.
To her relief, she found the dog—now named Franklin—safely secured inside the trap.
He was still very nervous and wary of her presence, unsure of what was happening.
She spoke softly to him, assuring him with a gentle, “It’s okay!”
Taking It Slow
Knowing how frightened Franklin was, Officer Shaina didn’t rush the next steps.
She took the process of leashing him incredibly slowly, making sure to move entirely at his pace.
Every gentle movement was designed to show him that he was finally safe.
Her quiet patience was exactly what the anxious dog needed.
A Warm Ride To Safety
Finally, all of her patience paid off.
Once Franklin was securely leashed, she was able to guide him safely into her vehicle.
The days of freezing near a log at an abandoned house were officially over.
They headed back to the shelter, where Franklin could finally eat a good meal and warm up properly.
A Morning Reunion
The next morning at the shelter, Franklin was still definitely nervous about his new surroundings.
However, something beautiful happened when Officer Shaina came to visit him.
He immediately remembered the kind woman who had saved him the day before.
Seeing her familiar face, the once-terrified dog got really excited.
Chubby Cheeks And Second Chances
Franklin is now coming around to the other staff members, too.
With his adorable chubby cheeks, he is quickly becoming a favorite around the entire shelter.
His caretakers have learned that his love language is definitely treats and booty scratches.
After everything he has been through, Franklin is absolutely special and so deserving of his second chance.