Meet Rolo, a naturally shy pup who has always stood out from other dogs.
He had very little experience with humans, which made him so fearful that he would freeze completely whenever someone approached.
Despite his timid behavior, Rolo was playful, sweet, and loving. He just needed time, patience, and the right environment to adjust to his new life.
This story follows the compassionate foster mom from Florida who dedicated herself to helping Rolo overcome his fear of people.
A Patient Foster Makes All The Difference
When Tracy first met Rolo, she noticed immediately how frightened he was.
She told The Dodo: “He was frozen and was clearly very scared. When I picked Rolo, I could tell he was scared around people.”
Tracy welcomed him into her home as his foster mom and set up a kennel where he could feel safe.
Rolo enjoyed exploring his surroundings, but seeing Tracy often made him nervous.
She tried offering gentle pets, but never pushed him to accept more than he could handle. He would sometimes creep closer to her, only to pull back at the last moment.
Most of the time, he chose to retreat to his kennel, his safe spot where the fear seemed to fade.
For weeks, this became a routine. Rolo would peek out of his crate, approach Tracy to politely ask for pets, and then return to his comfort zone.
Tracy said: “I figured he probably never came in contact with very many people in his life, and I don’t want to overwhelm him, because he was already scared.”
A New Canine Companion Changes Everything
A big shift came when Tracy introduced Rolo to her dog, Lily.
The two clicked almost right away, and though Tracy expected them to get along, she was happily surprised at how quickly it happened.
Wherever Lily went, Rolo followed. She played with him constantly, and he seemed thrilled to have her by his side.
Tracy said: “When I saw him being happy with my dog, it made me feel really good and I knew he was gonna have a good time here and not be scared all the time.”
Lily’s presence had an uplifting effect on Rolo. Every day he seemed a little braver, and soon he started going out of his way to approach Tracy for pets. It was as if Lily’s confidence rubbed off on him.
Finding Rolo’s Forever Home
Time passed quickly, and before long it was time for Tracy to look for Rolo’s forever home.
It made her sad to think she might not see him again, but she knew he was ready for a family who would always be there for him.
Tracy said: “When Taylor reached out and said she was interested in him, I figured she’s the family for him.”
When Taylor’s young son met Rolo, the bond was instant. They became fast friends, and it was obvious that Rolo’s fear of people had finally lifted.
In addition to his new best friend, Rolo gained several dog siblings in his Florida home, and he spent his days happily playing with them.
Rolo is surrounded now by people and dogs who love him. After so much time spent being scared, he finally found the home where he truly belongs.