Abandoned with Only a Note—Watch How I Help This Scared Dog Find Hope
It’s not every day that I sit down with a dog who shares my name, but today I’m at Animal Friends of the Valleys in Wildomar, CA, spending time with a two-and-a-half-year-old Shepherd mix named Rocky. He was dropped off at the shelter’s night drop with nothing but a harness and a note explaining how his family lost their job, got evicted, and could no longer keep him. It’s a tough situation, and now this poor guy is left confused, scared, and completely shut down.
When a Dog Hugs the Wall: Understanding Rocky’s Behavior
One of the first things I noticed about Rocky is how he’s pressing himself against the kennel wall. When a dog does this, it’s usually for one of two reasons: either they’re trying to escape the heat, which isn’t the case here since this row of kennels is air-conditioned, or they’re terrified and trying to distance themselves from everything around them. Unfortunately, with Rocky, it’s the latter. This dog is so scared that his only instinct is to retreat and make himself as small as possible.
Seeing a dog in this state always hits hard. The fear in his eyes tells a story of past experiences that left him with little trust in people. His eyes never leave me, locked in with a mixture of anxiety and caution. It’s like he’s silently saying, “Are you safe?” In situations like this, I have to be careful not to return direct eye contact. For dogs like Rocky, intense eye contact can feel threatening. That’s why I often use my phone as a kind of rearview mirror to observe him without putting extra pressure on him.
Understanding Fearful Dogs: Eye Contact and Body Language
When you’re working with a fearful dog, the way you present yourself matters more than anything. You have to be hyper-aware of your body language and movements. With Rocky, I’m making sure to avoid sudden gestures, and I’m positioning myself in a non-threatening way. I keep my shoulders relaxed and my gaze soft, avoiding that direct line of sight. Rocky’s fear is clear, not just in his eyes but in his body language—his stiff legs, low posture, and the way he’s frozen in place.
Fear in dogs can manifest in different ways, and it’s important to understand that each dog’s experience is unique. For Rocky, his locked-on eye contact isn’t a sign of engagement; it’s his way of keeping tabs on me, driven by fear rather than curiosity. I have to be mindful of not pushing him too far too fast because one wrong move could set him back even further.
The Challenge of Offering Treats
Treats are usually a good way to start building trust, but with Rocky, it wasn’t going to be easy. Some dogs, even when fearful, will respond to food quickly, but Rocky wasn’t taking the bait. I tossed a treat his way, but he barely acknowledged it. This isn’t uncommon for dogs in this state—when they’re overwhelmed with fear, food becomes a low priority. Still, I kept trying, offering treats closer and closer until he finally showed a bit of interest. It was a small victory, but it gave me hope that we could begin to break through his wall of fear.
As I sat there with him, I couldn’t help but think about what might have led to this fear. Was Rocky a backyard dog who didn’t get much socialization? Did something happen that made him lose trust in people? Dogs like Rocky are often misunderstood because they appear aggressive or uninterested when, in reality, they’re just terrified. My goal was to show him that not everyone is a threat.
The Note Left Behind
With some help from Alexis, we found out more about Rocky’s backstory. The handwritten note attached to his harness revealed that he was born on February 13, 2022, and had to be given up due to his family’s eviction after losing their job. The note read, “We are so sorry,” and you could feel the weight of those words. This was a family that didn’t want to let him go but felt they had no choice.
It’s easy to be frustrated by the way Rocky was surrendered—dropping him off anonymously in the night drop without coming in to give more information—but I also understand the shame and sorrow that come with making such a decision. It’s a tough spot for everyone involved. I know there are people out there who would say, “I’d never give up my dog, no matter what,” and I get that sentiment. But not everyone’s situation is black and white. Life can hit hard, and sometimes people feel trapped with no good options.
The Power of the Dog-Walking Program
One of the tools that has helped so many dogs at this shelter is the dog-walking program. Volunteers and staff take dogs out for regular walks, giving them a break from the kennel environment and allowing them to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. For dogs like Rocky, this program can be a game-changer. Once Rocky’s hold period is over, I’m hoping he can get on this program. I actually started my journey in dog rescue by volunteering as a dog walker, and I’ve seen firsthand how much it can help. Walking isn’t just exercise—it’s therapy for these dogs.
Enter Glenn Massie: A Helping Hand from a Local Dog Trainer
When I realized that Rocky needed more help than I could give him on my own, I reached out to Glenn Massie, a local dog trainer who volunteers his time to work with dogs at this shelter. Glenn has an incredible gift for understanding dogs and helping them feel safe enough to come out of their shell. I’ve worked with him before, and he’s helped many dogs who were in rough shape make significant progress.
Glenn stepped into Rocky’s kennel with that calm, steady energy that dogs respond to. He’s got this way of reading dogs—knowing when to push just a little and when to back off. Glenn decided to see if getting him on a leash and taking him for a walk might help him relax. Movement can do wonders for a dog stuck in a fearful state—it’s like hitting a reset button. But getting him to move wasn’t going to be easy. I could tell right away that this would be a challenge. But finally Glenn was able to get the leash on and go for a walk
“Dogs are not all the same. Even within the same breed or litter, each dog has its own unique personality, experiences, and reactions,” Glenn said. He went on to say how important it is to approach every dog as an individual, with no assumptions.
Glenn’s philosophy is a reminder that working with dogs requires patience, observation, and a willingness to learn from every situation. Each dog teaches us something different, and it’s our job to listen and adjust based on what they’re telling us.
Rocky’s Second Chance
Rocky’s journey is far from over, but there’s a lot of hope for this boy. He just needs someone who’s willing to be patient, who can understand his fears, and who’s ready to give him the time he needs to trust again. If you’re reading this and feel a connection to Rocky, please share his story. You never know who might see it and feel called to give him a forever home.
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