365 Cherished Days

 Today is Maddy's Gotcha day.  One year ago tonight, we picked her up on load day to be her foster family.  We were told she was submissive, but what she was, was terrified.  When I got her out of the crate at the adoption group, she immediately was overwhelmed by the noise and people and flopped down on her side and shut down.  I knew she was going to need a lot of patience.  Especially when it came to men.  Darren worked hard at getting her to let him sit near her, finally being able to have her take a treat from him and let him touch her
without cowering ... by that time, we knew we weren't fostering her anymore, she was home.

 The first day at home.

It wasn't always easy and truthfully, there were times when I wondered if we were going to make it through, although I would never have said it out loud.  I find that even her looks have softened over the last year.  The distrusting look in her eyes has been replaced with happiness, most of the time.  She hasn't had a fearful "episode" in months and when she does have one, it's much shorter in time and lessened in severity.  Maddy, although the youngest, has become the leader of the pack too, she is Veil's hero for some reason and they have made up little games with apparently very specific rules that don't include boys, but she and Beckett like to play biteyface together.  She is like that little girl who everyone wanted to be friends with and was as comfortable playing with dolls as she was riding dirt bikes.  She is also that "rare" greyhound who barks loudly and looks after the household security. 

 Happy Gotcha Day Maddy!