Avril is a four-month-old shepherd mix who was found in the woods in Alabama with her mom and sister, Cambria. She’s beautiful, with sharp puppy eyes and beautiful caramel coloring. She is not like most puppies I've dealt with though-- having spent her life so far away from humans, she's still not quite warmed up to the idea of being too close to them.

 

But luckily for her (and us), we have Bane—our seven-year-old Staffy mix. Avril LOVES him. Obsessed might be a better word. If Bane moves, she follows. If he lies down, she lies down. If he looks relaxed, she takes a breath too. 

 

Bane has been super helpful in gaining Avril's trust. The first time she let me pet her, I was sitting on the kitchen floor and letting her watch me pet him and give him treats. Slowly, she saw that Bane trusted me, and she let me toss a few treats her way, eventually leading up to taking them right from my hand. She still doesn't like being pet, but we're making progress!

 

With Avril, I’ve had to let go of the idea of “quick results.” Every tiny victory is worth celebrating. The first time she took a treat from my hand was huge! 

 

We’re still in the early chapters of her story, and I don’t know exactly how it ends. I think she'll probably always be pretty skittish, but who knows. Maybe one day she will flop over and enjoy belly rubs from her people.

 

What I do know is this: Avril is learning that humans aren’t so scary, and I’m learning that patience, consistency, and a little help from a trusted dog friend can work magic.

 

For now, I’m just grateful to be part of her journey—helping a once-wild puppy discover what it means to feel safe, loved, and at home.