In November our team responded to a call about a little dog hiding in a garden in Galway City. Her fear of humans was so great that this tiny girl felt she had no choice but to attack any hand or person that came near her. Shelley was our team member went on that call and, thankfully, had her extra thick wildlife gloves with her which came in extremely handy.
Damsel, as she was quickly named, headed home that evening with Shelley but her terror of humans was so great that all Shelley could do was make a bed up for her in a downstairs room and leave her to decompress.
It took quite a few weeks for Damsel to understand that not all humans bring harm and, slowly but surely under Shelleys love and patience, Damsel began to open up. She improved so much that over time she could accompany Shelley to work in her role as Shop Manager in our Briarhill Shop and even went on to represent GalwaySPCA at a couple of fundraisers before Christmas.
We knew that we needed a special kind of home for Damsel, with people who would understand her need to grow in confidence and trust, especially arriving into a totally new environment again.
Enter Majella and Derek. From the moment we read their application we got that fuzzy feeling and when our kennel manager spoke to them on the phone she knew, as did foster mum Shelley, after her chat with them.
In February met these two special people who are now her forever Mum and Dad and she is now living the dream life with them enjoying beach walks, trips out in the car, beds by the fire and anywhere else Damsel chooses. She is so loved that even Damsel has to pinch herself every now and again to make sure she isn't dreaming.
It took a team to get Damsel to where she is now but none more so than her foster mum Shelley. who was probably the first human to show Damsel any sort of kindness in her life.
And to Majella and Derek, thank you for being special, for giving Damsel the chance she needed to show just how far she had come and who continues to blossom under your care. We wish you many many years of happiness together.
