Dog Just Wanted to ‘Disappear Into the Walls’ Until Rescuers Helped Her Feel Safe

Cassie was brought to a shelter facility as a puppy in a very rural area of West Virginia, where she spent much—if not all—of her life before Hope For Life Rescue took her in two years later.

“A volunteer who had been advocating for her reached out when her time was up. Like so many rural shelters, adoptions are limited, and space is even more limited. So when an emergency intake came in, Cassie’s life was suddenly at risk,” Hope For Life Rescue said.

The Virginia-based rescue takes in hard-to-place dogs and works to find them loving homes. In Cassie’s case, she was very shut down and scared. When they first brought her to their rescue, she went into a corner and wouldn’t face anyone.

“She’s withdrawn, trembling, refusing to eat or drink much, and seems to be trying to disappear into the walls. It’s one of the most extreme cases of fear we’ve seen in years,” they continued.

“We don’t know the details of her past. The staff and volunteers who cared for her did what they could. We’ve even seen videos of her wagging her tail at other dogs. But what we do know is that this was the only life Cassie had ever known, and leaving it behind has left her completely heartbroken,” they wrote.

Knowing they needed to help Cassie feel safe, the rescue decided to take things slowly. They invited volunteers to come sit with her—bringing a book, laptop, or blanket—so she could “feel the quiet safety of people just being near her.”

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Cassie began to respond to the gentleness, patience, and love. She went into foster care, where she surprised everyone by being so ready to “play and party.” Soon after, she was adopted into the perfect home—one with another rescue hound just like her.

Happy Tails, Cassie.