Dilly doesn’t know where to go. Fearful of herself and others, Dilly weaves nervously through traffic as she tries to get around her Houston school. Although she is always present, she is afraid to get too close.
Dilly takes some time to become comfortable with the people around her. Kristen Owen, a dog rescuer, has been there for Dilly all over the world.
“[I] It quickly became clear that this was a very scared dog,” Owen told The Dodo. “Once you showed interest in her, she booked and ran away. She was not stopped by anyone. “
Erwin waited patiently until Dilly was ready to approach one of Erwin’s traps. Owen took Dilly to safety and began slowly adjusting her home life.
“I gave Dilly her own room,” Owen said. “I left her completely alone the other day and then I started staying there for a few minutes all day, either just talking to her softly or hand-feeding her. She was so cute and loved to bite. I remember that It was day 10 and I wagged my tail off her for the first time.”
After a month in Owen’s care, Dilly finally found the courage to walk out of her room alone. After Dilly realized that there was nothing to be afraid, she quickly adjusted to the comforts of the house.
“She finally ventured down the hallway alone and observed everything in the living room,” Owen said. “Once she found the couch, the rest was history. I remember we even put her food bowl on the couch like a princess.”
Owen was able to get closer to Owen, and she was able to see the strength and determination in her.
“I really enjoy watching a dog transform, but when it goes from a scared, closed dog to a relaxed, ‘enjoying life again’ dog, that’s what it’s all about!” says Erwin. “Once she let her guard down, she was a whole new dog.”
Dilly is now confident, but she still needs a family. Unknown to Dilly or Erwin, a secret admirer has been following Erwin’s Instagram updates, slowly falling in love with the once-nervous puppy. It was an old friend of Irving’s high school—even though she hadn’t met Dilly in person, she knew they were meant to be.
“I’m very excited that Dilly may be relocated to the people around me,” Erwin said.
After a smooth transition, Dilly moved into her permanent residence. Dilly now feels safe and secure in her new home. She is still able to do the things she loves.
“Dilly and her family really got along,” Owen said. “She quickly became friends with their dog and her young son. They went to Starbucks for cappuccinos, and then walked around the neighborhood. [and she]Sleep in their beds. She now has everything. Most importantly, she has a family who loves her unconditionally, even if she’s a little eccentric. “
