Shelter Dog Paralyzed By Fear Finds Comfort in an Unlikely Place
I recently met a dog named Pumpkin, and let me tell you, this little guy broke my heart from the moment I saw him. Found on the Pechanga Reservation in Temecula, Pumpkin was terrified when animal control arrived. Officer Servantes, who responded to the call, had to use a catch pole to safely rescue him. Unfortunately, that added to his fear, but getting him out of there was the priority. Once in the shelter, it became clear just how deep his fear ran. He was so scared that he would defecate anytime someone approached him. (Watch video above)
He Was SO Scared
When I first met Pumpkin, the fear was overwhelming. As I walked up to his kennel, he was so terrified that he pooped right there. It’s always tough to see a dog this shut down, and honestly, I didn’t know if I’d be able to help him. But one thing I’ve learned is that no dog is too far gone to be shown love.
Pumpkin wasn’t hiding in the back of the kennel like many scared dogs do—he was so frozen with fear that he just lay there, trying to disappear. It’s like he thought if he stayed still enough, all his problems would go away. This wasn’t a dog avoiding me; this was a dog who had mentally shut down. His breathing was fast, his eyes were empty, and he wouldn’t even make eye contact.
I didn’t push him right away. I had to approach slowly, respecting his space, trying to show him I wasn’t a threat. I usually offer a treat as a first step, but Pumpkin wasn’t ready for that. When a dog is in such a high fear state, their brain can’t even process food—everything is locked in survival mode. So, I sat with him, speaking softly, hoping he could sense that I was there to help.
Pumpkin’s Backstory
Kelly, who was with me, helped pull up some information. Turns out, Pumpkin hadn’t even been through a health check yet because the shelter staff couldn’t get close enough. He was so fearful that they didn’t know if he was a boy or a girl. But I had a feeling this was a boy, and I started calling him Pumpkin—it just felt right. He’s about eight months old, and while some people thought he was a senior due to his condition and slow movements, I knew right away that it was fear, not age, making him seem older.
Pumpkin didn’t take a treat that day, but he did sniff at it, which was a good sign. That little sniff meant his brain had to release some fear for a moment. I knew I had to take things slow, so I tried offering him some gentle touch, a little head rub to show him he was safe. His body was stiff, but I kept telling him, “You’re a good dog, Pumpkin. It’s going to be okay.” And, little by little, he started to lean into my touch. His sad, scared eyes broke my heart, but this small moment of connection gave me hope.
As I held Pumpkin, I started thinking about what his future could look like. I imagined him sitting by someone’s feet on a cold fall night, with a pumpkin spice latte in their hand and a fire crackling in the background. That’s what I want for Pumpkin—to feel loved, safe, and free from fear.
The Animal Control Officer
I had the chance to talk to Officer Servantes, who rescued Pumpkin. She told me how hard it was to get him safely, how he even tried to snarl a bit out of fear, but she knew he wasn’t aggressive. He was just scared. She mentioned something interesting, though—when she found him, he froze like a cat, which is unusual for dogs. It just goes to show how much fear can affect behavior in ways we don’t expect.
But there’s more to this story. Pumpkin was filthy when I met him, and thank goodness Mel, the shelter groomer, was there that day. Mel wasn’t scheduled, but she happened to come in, and it was perfect timing. She gave Pumpkin a much-needed bath, and while he wasn’t thrilled about it, it was a step toward feeling better.
Pumpkin Is Coming to Flip’s Farm!
The next step for Pumpkin is to come to Flip’s Farm. At the farm, he’ll get the time, space, and patience he needs to heal. It’s quiet there, peaceful, and he can be surrounded by nature while learning to trust again. I’ll work with him every day, and who knows? Maybe a buddy dog will join him to show him the ropes. Dogs learn best from other dogs, and I think having a friend might just be the key to his recovery.
I don’t know how long it’ll take, but I made Pumpkin a promise—I won’t give up on him. And when I make a promise, I keep it. We’ll figure this out together, one step at a time.
Pumpkin, you’re a good boy, and soon enough, you’ll be running around, wagging that tail, and showing the world what a sweet, loving dog you truly are. And one day, you’ll find your forever family, a place where you’ll never have to feel this scared again.
Until then, we’re going to keep moving forward, buddy. We’ve got this.
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