- Pauline Carruthers
- May 5
- 9 min read
Sadie is a little dog who is often very scared and sad, but at times enjoys fun, love and happiness. When she first arrived in the UK, she was completely shut down. Her eyes revealed tales of fear, and her body language reflected a life of uncertainty and pain. This narrative follows Sadie's journey from that dark place and her courageous struggles towards trust, love, and happiness. It is a story of healing, heartbreak, patience, love, trust, and understanding from both her humans and herself and is only just beginning.
The Beginning of Sadie's Story
Sadie was rescued from Brad public shelter in Romania one of the most notoriuos kill shelters, known for under-feeding, lack of vetenary care and cruelty. Sadie was from reports one of the wosrt affected of the group saved in December 2025. There is no knowledge of how Sadie ended up there. Sadie went to a rescue foster in Romania, and was kept and looked after in a kennel with other rescues. Sadie was one of a number of dogs desparate for a foster home, Rags to Riches was approached to see if we could help as they were swamped with all the dogs they had removed from both Bard and Bretz. I said I would help out and take on a couple of the smallest dogs, as long as they were under 5k (I have a disabilty which means I am unable to lift or get down on the floor), here is the information we were given and was also advertised on facebook
Little Sadie
Shes 2 yrs just 27cm and 3kg
Mini girl
She’s very sweet and loving , very calm and gentle .
She’s also very quiet
Good with fosters children .
Good with other dogs
( not cat tested yet or on leash but will be )
Fully vaccinated
Neutered
Will have all tests required.
She seemed like a sweetheart. I was a bit concerned about the 'very quiet'; I thought that after being in a public shelter, she'd naturally be cautious, but she seemed perfect for fostering. With time to adjust to life in the UK, she would become a wonderful family pet for someone. Since she was friendly with dogs and children (and I have several grandchildren who visit often), I volunteered to foster her. After a few vet visits where Sadie received all her vaccinations, was spayed, and had blood tests done, she was transported to a holding center in January and then began her four-day journey to the us in North Yorkshire, arriving in the early morning hours. We met the van outside; the driver first brought out Missy, whom I held in my arms. Then, the driver brought out a larger dog and handed her to my husband. I'm not sure exactly what I said, but it was something like "that's the wrong dog; Sadie is only tiny." "No," he replied, "this is Sadie," and looking at her face, she did resemble Sadie. My husband and I exchanged glances as we received the passports, and then he left. We brought them inside. Both were scared, shaking, and had an unpleasant odor. We had prepared a nice-sized pen in our front hall for them with two comfortable beds, and I had bought a small, warm, and cozy little house for her, thinking tiny Sadie would feel safe in it. We offered them food, but by that time, Sadie had disappeared and somehow managed to get into the little house. We left them alone, and they both ate when we hid around the corner and soon fell fast asleep.
We then sat down, exhausted and still surprised and quite concerened by the size of our 'tiny foster'.
Later, Missy would come out, and although scared, she engaged with us. Sadie hid in the little house and unfortunately would not allow Missy back into the pen.
We decided to make Sadie a suitable safe cave. Dusting off a large crate and taking off the door, I filled it with cozy, comfy bedding and placed a blanket over the top, leaving the tiny house there with Sadie in it for now. Sadie moved between both places for a few days before we removed the tiny house; it actually, at times, moved with her. Sadie was constantly withdrawn, trembling, panting, and often unresponsive to the world around her. Her fear was so intense that she would flinch at the slightest noise or movement.
Initially, Sadie was reluctant to engage, and food had to be left out for her. She would only come out to eat once we were out of sight. Sadie started to leave the pen after a few days and come out to play a little with Missy as long as we sat still and didnt try touch her, she then started to take (snatch ) treats from us, then would hide to eat them.
This above behavior is typical in dogs that have experienced neglect or abuse.
They learn to protect themselves by becoming invisible, hoping to avoid further pain.
Missy, who had been in another notorious shelter, Bretz, was so skinny when she arrived that every bone stuck out. Fortunately, Missy was much less traumatized and also was reserved by the wonderful couple Craig and Sharon and went to her new home within the week, where she is happy, gianing wieght and much love and now called Mia.
Understanding Fear in Dogs
Fear in dogs is a survival mechanism. When a dog like Sadie shuts down, it is a way to cope with overwhelming stress. This state is sometimes called "freeze" in the fight-flight-freeze response. Unlike fight or flight, freezing means the dog becomes still and quiet, hoping to avoid detection. Sadies go to now is flight.
Recognizing this behavior is the first step in helping a fearful dog. It requires patience and a gentle approach. For Sadie, the journey to healing began with creating a safe environment where she could start to feel secure.
Week two. Creating a Safe place for Sadie
When Missy left after a week, we started to leave the gate to the pen open at times and Sadie did start to come out very caustiously and even enter the lounge, she was scared of me but wanted to engage slighty with me. Hubby Jim was very scary and she would scoot around the room to avoid going near him, and would watch him, feafully.
I knew that forcing interaction would only make Sadie retreat further. Instead, I focused on building trust slowly, so I concentrated on:
Quiet environment: Keeping her area calm and hers only, never going near her 'cave' when she's in it, or trying to entice her out.
Consistent routine: Feeding and resting happen at the same times each day.
Gentle presence: Initially, I spent time sitting quietly near her, allowing Sadie to approach on her own terms.
Soft voice: Speaking softly helped reduce her anxiety, armed with treats of course.
These small steps are helping Sadie realise that not all humans are a threat. Over time, she began to show signs of curiosity, allowed me eye contact and a little touch and stroking, interest in the other household dogs, but she remained fearful of hubby Jim, who continued with no eye contact and just gently talking to her.
I also realised about this time that Sadie's coat which was very harsh and quite long in place hid the fact that she was very thin, I also spotted a few bald patches around her neck and upper chet.
Week three. Enter Nelly
Before we decided to foster Missy, we had offered to foster Nelly. Nelly arrived like a whirlwind at 7 or 8 months old, full of fun and boundless energy. She ate ravenously and chewed on anything unsecured. Nelly was afraid of hands, especially when they were raised or reaching for something. She had been found on the streets of Romania with her good friend Toto, who seemed to have helped her survive.
Initially, Sadie was very frightened of Nelly and growled whenever she came near. Even though Sadie was in her pen, she would growl through the gate every time she saw her. Nelly, however, behaved perfectly on her side of the gate—bowing, flirting, and generally trying to be friends. After a few days, I was convinced Sadie wouldn't attack her, so with great caution, I opened the gate. There were lots of hackles and growls from Sadie, but Nelly's street-smart ways helped her handle the situation, and she won Sadie over. Within a few days, they were playing together and never stopped. I often had to stop them as Nelly would push Sadie to play even when it was clear Sadie was very tired. They both learned that 'time out' meant to stop and lie down; if Nelly continued to push, she soon realized it meant 'in the pen you go'.
Nelly quickly started to come out with the other dogs Bizzy and Sammy, both Romaina rescues , both only have one eye. I call them my pirates. Bizzy is around 15 and has been with us for 8 years, Sammy is four and has been with us nearly 3 years. Also accomaning us some days was my grandaughts dog Bertie.
Nelly took to the lead and a retractable very quickly, she adored her walks in lots of exciting places, like Castlle Howard, the Yorkshire arboretum, the village and visits to friends houses she loved going in the car, slept all night and generally learnt things very quickly. She was also a very loving dog.
I hated leaving Sadie behind, while watching Nelly out and about blooming, Sadie was static
Iniatally Nelly was the best thing that could have happened to Sadie. Sadie bonded quickly with Nelly and as Nelly loved to be a part of anything happening about the house Sadie statred to follow her. We live in a small 2 bedroomed bungalow, but Sadie would not go up the passage to the bedrooms or bathroom, she was too scared, she kept her world as small as possible. They were partners in crime, Nelly helped Sadie get used to household noises, how to pinch and hide toys (when they werent chewing them), Sadie also followed Nelly into the garden, but only early mornings before nieghbours and car noises were heard, ( we live in a quiet rural village), they dug lovely holes in the garden together hmm. The only problem was as the weeks went on was Nelly was learning fast, socialising, playing with the children etc.. while Sadie wasnt really moving forward, she was frightened of the children and therefore growled at them ( they are well behaved and uvery good with dogs), so she had to be kept in her pen when they visited. They both learnt to sit and wait for a treat, ( before that it was free for all) Nelly learnt to give a paw, but Sadie didnt like me lifting her leg so we shelved that for later.
Sadie was fine left in her pen when we went out she was clean and quietly waited for us coming back. Sadie is also clean at night and dashed out each morning to wee on the pee pads, so did Nelly, Nelly had been quite clean iniatially but they copied one another and when one went the other did, so it was very hard with two dogs, I went through over 200 pads in a seven week period and eventually bought washables, which saved my life.
The Role of Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement plays a key role in Sadie's healing. she is under no pressure pressure, she was rewarded for any brave behavior. This included:
Taking a treat from a hand
Moving closer to a person
Making eye contact
Each reward was a building block in her confidence. The team used high-value treats like small pieces of cooked chicken or cheese to motivate her gently.
Sadie's First Steps Outside the Kennel
After weeks of progress, Sadie was ready for her first walk outside the kennel. This was a major milestone. Walking on a leash was new and scary, but with a calm handler and slow pace, Sadie took tentative steps.
The fresh air, new smells, and gentle sunlight helped her senses come alive. She began to wag her tail slightly, a sign of growing comfort. These walks became a daily ritual, helping her body and mind relax.
Building Social Skills and Trust
Sadie’s journey was not just about overcoming fear of humans but also learning to trust other dogs. Socialization was introduced carefully:
Meeting calm, friendly dogs in controlled settings
Short, positive interactions with other dogs
Observing from a distance before closer contact
Sadie learned that other dogs could be friends, not threats. This social growth was essential for her overall well-being.
The Power of Routine and Consistency
Dogs like Sadie thrive on routine. Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety. Her caregivers maintained:
Regular feeding times
Scheduled walks and playtime
Consistent sleeping area
This structure gave Sadie a sense of control over her world, which is crucial for healing.
Sadie's Transformation Over Time
Months passed, and Sadie’s transformation was remarkable. From a frightened, shut-down dog, she became playful and affectionate. She sought attention, enjoyed belly rubs, and even initiated play with toys.
Her eyes, once filled with fear, now sparkled with curiosity and joy. The journey was not without setbacks, but each challenge was met with patience and love.
Lessons from Sadie's Journey
Sadie's story teaches us several important lessons about helping fearful dogs:
Patience is essential: Healing takes time and cannot be rushed.
Create safety: A calm, predictable environment helps build trust.
Use positive reinforcement: Reward brave behavior to encourage confidence.
Respect boundaries: Let the dog set the pace for interaction.
Socialize carefully: Introduce new experiences slowly and positively.
These principles apply not only to dogs but to any being recovering from trauma.
How You Can Help a Fearful Dog
If you encounter a dog like Sadie, here are practical steps to support their healing:
Approach quietly and avoid sudden movements
Speak softly and avoid direct eye contact initially
Offer treats and let the dog come to you
Provide a safe, quiet space away from noise and chaos
Be consistent with routines and interactions
Seek advice from animal behaviorists or trainers experienced with fearful dogs
Your kindness and understanding can make a profound difference.
Sadie's New Life and Hope for Others
Today, Sadie lives in a loving home where she continues to thrive. Her journey from fear to freedom is a testament to the power of compassion and care. She reminds us that even the most broken souls can heal with the right support.
Her story inspires those who work with fearful animals and encourages adopters to look beyond initial fear to the loving companion underneath.