Sometimes, we forget that animals who have lived on the streets need time to adjust to their new, safer lives.
Letting go of the harsh memories of survival is no easy task, and they rely on us to offer the space and patience they need to relax and decompress. This process can take days, weeks, or even months.
Mazie, the sweet pup in today’s story, truly needed this understanding. Having spent most of her life on the cold, unforgiving streets, she also gave birth to her litter there, making her situation even more stressful.
Mazie’s Journey to Safety
When NorCal Bully Breed Rescue in Sacramento, California, learned about a mama dog taking care of her puppies in a parking lot, they knew they had to act.
In no time, Mazie and her eight pups were safely transported to the Sacramento shelter, where they could begin their healing journey.
Healing Takes Time
Mazie’s puppies grew into adorable bundles of joy, each finding their forever homes quickly.
But for Mazie, the journey was a bit slower.
“Mazie was a little more reserved, a little slower to come around, a little shyer than most people would like. But once she got to know you, she was your best friend! She just needed someone to give her a chance to feel comfortable enough to show that side of herself,” wrote the shelter in a Facebook post.
The shelter worked hard to connect Mazie with potential adopters, but every meet and greet ended the same way—no connection.
Despite the setbacks, the shelter reassured everyone that Mazie just needed time to adjust to a new home. Unfortunately, after being adopted, Mazie was returned just three days later, which left her feeling even more withdrawn.
Her heart broke a little more each time, but the shelter never gave up.
A New Hope for Mazie
Enter Mary, who became Mazie’s foster mom, offering her a peaceful environment to heal. It didn’t take long before something incredible happened.
Barbra and her husband Dimitri were searching for a special dog to join their family, and Mazie caught their eye.
“Their application looked absolutely perfect. And when we spoke on the phone, she sounded like a dream come true. She understood that dogs need time—and love—to feel comfortable in a new home,” said the shelter.
Since then, Mazie has blossomed into a confident, happy dog. She now spends her days on adventures with her loving family, who couldn’t be happier.
“Barbara and Dimitri – THANK YOU for letting her get to know you on her time and her terms. This is one of our favorite adoption stories of all time. We could not have dreamt a more perfect home for our perfect girl,” the shelter concluded.