Watch Her Reaction When I Tell Her “Good Girl” in Another Language
I want to share with you the heartwarming journey of a beautiful German Shepherd named Rippy. If you’ve followed my videos, you know how passionate I am about rescuing dogs and helping them find their forever homes. This story is no different and is filled with treats, training, and the triumphs of a once fearful dog.
The Backstory
Rippy came into the shelter scared and uncertain. German Shepherds, as many of you know, have a strong drive and focus. Unfortunately, these traits can make shelter life extremely stressful for them. The confinement and noise often lead to what’s known as “kennel crazy” behavior, where they pace endlessly and shut down emotionally. Seeing a German Shepherd in such a state is heart-wrenching.
First Impressions and Initial Steps
When I first met Rippy, her fear was real. Her tail was tucked under, and she was hesitant to trust anyone. One of the first things I did was to try and make her feel comfortable by offering treats. German Shepherds have an incredible sense of smell, and treats can be a powerful tool to break the ice.
The shelter environment can be overwhelming, but with the help of my wife, Kelly, we managed to create a quieter and more welcoming space for Rippy. Kelly handed out treats to other dogs, which helped reduce the overall noise level, giving Rippy a chance to relax a bit.
Building Trust with Treats and Patience
Rippy was hesitant at first, but her love for treats slowly started to show. I began by offering treats with a closed hand, which is less intimidating than an open hand. This method worked wonders. She started to sniff my hand before taking the treat, which is a significant step in building trust. A dog’s sense of smell is like reading an entire book about someone in just one sniff. This sniffing ritual was Rippy’s way of getting to know me.
I gradually moved to offering treats with an open hand, giving her more to sniff and register. This helped her feel more comfortable around me. Each time she took a treat, I saw a bit of her fear melt away.
She Has a Hernia
Rippy’s non-reducible hernia was discovered during her initial health check at the shelter. This type of hernia occurs when a loop of intestine becomes trapped in a weakened area of the abdominal muscle, creating a bulge that cannot be pushed back in. While not immediately life-threatening, a non-reducible hernia can cause significant discomfort and potential complications if left untreated. It requires a surgical procedure to repair, which involves gently moving the trapped intestine back into place and reinforcing the weakened muscle. The surgery is typically not very expensive and can often be performed alongside other procedures, such as spaying. Addressing her hernia would not only alleviate any current discomfort she might be experiencing but also prevent future health issues, ensuring she can enjoy a pain-free and active life with her new family.
Her Backstory
So, here’s the deal with Rippy’s backstory. She was found by a good Samaritan, just wandering around on a busy street near a local lakeside. Can you imagine the stress of all that traffic whizzing by? But somehow, this brave girl managed to stay safe until someone kind-hearted scooped her up and brought her to the shelter. The fact that she approached a stranger for help shows she’s got some underlying trust in people, despite all her fear.
It’s pretty clear she was probably a backyard dog, neglected but not severely mistreated. No microchip, no frantic owner looking for her—just a scared, beautiful German Shepherd trying to figure out her place in the world. Her physical state showed she hadn’t been given proper care or attention for a while. But hey, that’s all behind her now. She’s here, and this is the start of a new chapter filled with love, care, and the promise of a much brighter future.
The Naming Process
Naming a dog is always a special moment, and with Rippy, it was no different. Kelly and I sat down and started brainstorming. We reminisced about our past German Shepherds, and the memories just started flowing. Kelly had a German Shepherd named Rippy when she was growing up. The name Rippy came from her great uncle’s town, Ripon, in Wisconsin. It seemed like a unique and fitting name for this beautiful girl.
We also thought about Missy, another German Shepherd from my past. Missy was a huge part of my childhood, and her story is close to my heart. She was a wanderer who found her way to our home and became an instant part of our family. But when I looked at this new rescue, she didn’t feel like a Missy to me. She had this unique presence that seemed to deserve a unique name.
So, after some back and forth, we decided on Rippy. It just clicked. It felt right. Plus, it’s a name with a story behind it, connecting this new chapter in her life to Kelly’s childhood and her great uncle’s town. It’s always fun to have a name with a bit of history and meaning. And who knows, maybe someone from Ripon, Wisconsin, will see this and feel a special connection to her!
Naming her Rippy gave us all a sense of hope and continuity. It’s like a fresh start with a sprinkle of nostalgia, and it suits her perfectly. This name marks the beginning of her journey to find a loving forever home where she can feel safe and cherished.
Positive Reinforcement and Affirmations
With her new name, Rippy started to respond more positively. Positive affirmations became a key part of her rehabilitation. I told her she was a good girl, that she was strong and beautiful, and that she had a bright future ahead. These affirmations, combined with treats, helped her gain confidence.
The Turning Point
One of the most surprising and heartwarming moments in Rippy’s journey was when we discovered she responded to Spanish commands. It happened by accident. A volunteer at the shelter started speaking to her in Spanish, and we noticed an immediate change in Rippy’s demeanor. Her ears perked up, and she seemed more engaged and less fearful. It was like a light bulb went off in her head—she understood!
This revelation opened up a whole new way for us to connect with Rippy. We started using simple Spanish commands like “buena chica” (good girl) and “ven aquí” (come here), and each time, she responded more positively. It was incredible to see her start to relax and show signs of trust and recognition. This bilingual breakthrough gave us a deeper insight into her past and helped us tailor her training and interaction in a way that made her feel more comfortable and understood.
It’s a reminder of how important it is to pay attention to these small cues when working with rescue dogs. Every little bit of information can make a big difference in helping them adjust and feel safe.
So, if you speak Spanish, come on down and meet Rippy! Even if you can’t adopt, just spending time with her and speaking to her in a familiar language can work wonders for her confidence and trust in humans. This discovery was a game-changer and gave us all hope that Rippy’s perfect forever home might just be with a Spanish-speaking family who can give her the love and understanding she deserves.
Preparing for Adoption
The goal for Rippy, like all the dogs I work with, was to find her a loving forever home. As part of the “Empty the Shelters” campaign, I put out daily videos and went live to encourage people to adopt. The support from viewers and the community was overwhelming.
Rippy’s transformation was incredible. From a scared and shut-down dog, she became more trusting and open. We worked on grooming her, getting her cleaned up, and making her feel as comfortable as possible. I knew that with a bit more time and patience, she would be ready for a loving home.
Thank you for being part of Rippy’s journey. Your support makes all the difference. If you’re interested in adopting Rippy or any other dog, visit your local shelter, and remember, every dog deserves a chance at a happy life.
And don’t forget, if you want to support our rescue efforts, check out Flip Coffee. Every purchase helps fund the rehabilitation of shelter dogs like Rippy. Together, we can make a difference, one dog at a time.
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