When Clay first spotted Tappie, she was scavenging through trash near one of his job sites in North Georgia.
The workers tossed her scraps of food, but no one could get close. She kept her distance, too nervous to let anyone near.
Clay began showing up with treats several times a week, determined to earn her trust and get her off the streets.
Although Tappie appreciated his kindness, she stayed cautious, always keeping a safe space between them.
Slowly Gaining Her Confidence
Clay refused to give up. He left food, sat down on the ground, and spoke gently to her, hoping she would see he meant no harm.
Over time, Tappie began inching closer, though still hesitant to fully approach.
Then, one day, everything changed. She walked up to Clay, accepted a treat straight from his hand, and lay down beside him.
It was her way of saying she trusted him at last. Clay stretched out next to her, showering her with cuddles, overjoyed that she had finally opened her heart.
At that moment, Clay knew he couldn’t leave her behind. He scooped her up, placed her in his truck, and drove her to the home he shared with his fiancée, Jenny.
The moment she arrived, Tappie relaxed. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe, surrounded by warmth and care.
The Truth About Tappie’s Past
It didn’t take long for her sweet personality to shine through.
“She opened up really quickly. Within a couple days she started cuddling with us on the bed,” Jenny told GeoBeats Animals.
A vet visit revealed she had a few medical conditions, so she was put on medication. She wasn’t microchipped, but since she was already spayed, Clay and Jenny suspected she once had owners.
Jenny began searching through shelter websites and Facebook pages, until she stumbled upon a picture of Tappie taken a month before Clay had found her.
That’s when they learned the heartbreaking truth: she had briefly been adopted, only to end up neglected again.
“She is one of the sweetest, smartest souls I’ve ever met, and it breaks my heart knowing she was once neglected,” Jenny wrote on Instagram.
A Forever Home Full Of Love
Now, Clay and Jenny couldn’t imagine life without her. Their bond with Tappie grew so strong that they decided she would stay with them forever.
The couple, who plan to marry, want their beloved dog right at the center of their family.
“We love Tappie. We love spending time with her and we just want her to be a part of our family,” Clay told GeoBeats Animals.
Once timid and overlooked, Tappie is now healthy, adored, and thriving in North Georgia. Every cuddle with her parents reminds her that she’s finally home.
Tappie even has her own Instagram and TikTok account, where she and Jenny share glimpses of her happy everyday life.
Thanks to Clay’s patience and determination, a frightened stray got her second chance and learned that people can be trusted again.