Trust isn’t given; it’s earned. As a general rule, humans understand that it takes time and intention to build trust in a relationship. What many humans don’t understand is a trusting relationship isn’t something unique to us. Dogs, especially strays, need time to trust and build relationships with their own kind and humans.
The story of one incredible rescue shows just how tough it is to build those bridges – and why it’s always worth it!
Each day, a man and his wife would go on walks near their neighborhood trail. While walking, they noticed that the same dog kept showing up and acting like it was all alone. Joe described it as “a big, starving looking dog that was poking his head out of the woods.”
Joe explained the unfortunate circumstances of the area he lives in.
When Joe saw the dog, he assumed it was a stray. While we don’t know where he lives, Joe mentioned that the area he walks in is known for people dropping off their dogs that they no longer wanted. From the looks of things, this big pup was abandoned.
Joe and Marla started trying to befriend the loner dog.
Since the couple had no idea how long the dog had been outside, they decided they wanted to help. The only problem? The dog wouldn’t let any humans get close to him. Joe decided he was going to do his best to befriend the lonely and hungry dog.
What better to lure a hungry dog than with food?
The first thing that Joe tried was bringing the dog food. It’s hard for dogs to find enough to eat out in the wild. After deciding on a plan, the couple went out and waited until they saw the dog. Carefully, Joe reached out his hand and tried to look as gentle and non-threatening to the dog as possible. In a moment of tension, the dog took the food!
Joe tried to catch him over and over again – finally, they gave him a name.
Each time Joe tried to catch the dog, he would run and wouldn’t emerge again for a long time. While they were trying, the couple decided to name him Scooby! As the seasons continued to change, they become more and more fearful of Scooby’s survival chances.
Fall turned to winter… and it was a snowy one.
The couple repeatedly walked on their trail looking for Scooby. Knowing that winter was hard for strays, they wanted to rescue him before it was too late. Unfortunately, he stopped coming when they called. Soon after that, the snow started falling. Blankets of white covered the forest where Scooby hid each time they came.
Come spring and summer, Scooby finally showed himself!
Somehow, he survived the winter! After months of not showing up, they finally caught their first sight of them. Scooby ran up to them and, shockingly, was closer than he had ever been before. With this huge breakthrough, they kept their momentum going and offered him a snack.
Scooby started getting closer to the house where they lived.
Every day he would wait outside their homes, hoping to see them! The couple let out their own dog, Samson, for a greeting. The two were immediate friends. Weeks later, Scooby finally came into the home for the very first time!
After a year of trials and attempts, he was officially a part of the family!
In the house, sleeping on Joe’s feet, and loving life to the fullest. Scooby has come a long way from living in the forest to having a family who cares.
Check out the video below!
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