I cannot even start to fathom what was going through Imelda’s thoughts that day.
Confined in a cramped kennel within a congested shelter in Kansas, she must’ve felt incredibly isolated… and deeply frightened.
This two-year-old canine simply couldn’t stop quivering. She pressed herself against the wall, seeking solace. Nevertheless, all she encountered were loud, shrill sounds emanating from other kennels.
Imelda resembled a character painted as a profoundly, heartbreakingly sorrowful clown. Indeed, she was that traumatized!
Before long, this agonizing image circulated across the nation, leaving countless individuals in tears.
Confronting Euthanasia
People were shocked when they observed Imelda in such a dire state. Her distressing footage soon went viral on the internet, prompting numerous individuals to inquire about her condition.
The unfortunate reality was that she was on the verge of being placed on the euthanasia list merely because of her apprehension, and she was powerless to change it.
Fortunately, her narrative reached the Diamonds in the Ruff Rescue team from Missouri, who promptly took action.
“She made herself smaller as someone approached her in the kennel…she backed up to the wall in the kennel as if she was saying, I promise I’m good, I’ll be good, just give me a chance,” they remarked in a Facebook post.
After witnessing Imelda in such poor condition, the rescue organization voluntarily opted to assist her in finding a wonderful foster home rather than remaining in a cramped kennel.
Within just a few days, she successfully exited the shelter and transitioned into a completely new setting. Even though she was still rattled by her earlier experiences, Imelda clearly felt much more at ease.
A warm, snug, and serene environment helped her unwind considerably, but what she cherished the most was the realization that she finally had all the affection just for herself.
She was no longer one of many dogs in the shelter. She was no longer ignored or overlooked; she became the treasured one!
A Completely New Existence
Thanks to her new foster mother, Stephanie, Imelda swiftly discovered what it meant to be cherished. This seasoned dog foster and avid dog enthusiast welcomed her with open arms, and Imelda couldn’t be more appreciative.
She soon befriended her other canine siblings and became the darling of the household. Despite her past traumas, she began to display lovely behaviors, such as relieving herself outside and sleeping through the night without making a sound.
“She’s great with children and other dogs. She sleeps in her crate all night without a sound, with no accidents in the crate. She whines and paces the house when she needs to go outside, and she isn’t food aggressive with either humans or dogs,” Stephanie mentioned in a Facebook post.
It turns out, all she needed all along was a sanctuary – a place where she could feel truly at home. Now that she had it, she magnificently transformed into a completely new dog.
Observing her now, Stephanie finds it hard to believe that she once faced euthanasia merely because she was a timid dog.
“She is undoubtedly progressing. To think she was on the euthanasia list for “fear”… there was NO REASON. Look at her flourish… her tail wags and she appears joyful,” Stephanie wrote on Facebook.
Currently, Imelda is still in pursuit of a forever home. She’s an absolute sweetheart and could adapt to any household, but her preference leans towards families with children aged ten and above.
Hopefully, her future humans are just around the corner, eagerly awaiting her arrival!