I had a lab dog many years ago that was very damaged from her years in testing. She learned what love was and had a good life with us but, always had underlying anxiety. When I read about the Envigo facility being closed down and 4,000 beagles needing homes I really wanted to adopt. I knew the patience that would be required and I was up for the task. We brought a terrified little girl home and named her Piper.
It was early fall and very rainy her first month home with us. She was afraid of the grass, afraid of the rain and really afraid of the umbrella I tried to use to shield her from the rain. I feel like we spent much of her first month outside potty training. I’d have treats and coax her into the grass. I’d praise her for coming to me, I’d praise her for going potty. Praising her consisted of a quiet happy voice and lots of soft pets and scratches which she liked. She did not like loud noises or voices.
Piper had 5 beagle sisters when she came home and they really helped show her the ropes. After a month she was going in and out through the doggie door and loving the grass. Piper adjusted really well, better than many others. She is still afraid of loud sudden noises and doesn’t like it when the other dogs bark, she gets very nervous and timid. She does however, love to be loved and cuddled and just recently, after 2 years with us, jumps on us for pets and will cuddle up into a ball on our laps.
Despite Piper’s previous life, of mistreatment and neglect by humans, she loves everyone she meets.
