‘Scared’ shelter dog needed time to build trust. So, NC family visited her — 15 times
A “scared” shelter dog needed time to build trust — so a family visited her 15 times.
“They came here and spent time learning Champagne, each time strengthening their newfound friendship and building true trust with this quirky, wonderful, nervous, loving goofball of a dog,” a North Carolina shelter wrote May 21 on Facebook. “And it was worth it. Champagne accepted them as much as they accepted her.”
So much so, the family adopted Champagne. Their heartwarming decision ended the dog’s two-year stay at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Wake County.
“Champagne will love you until the ends of the Earth — thank you for giving this special girl a chance,” the Raleigh-area shelter wrote. “It’s the fairy tale ending we’ve spent 800 days hoping for.”
Champagne’s journey toward adoption started in March 2022, when she was “running out of time” at another facility. She was transferred to the SPCA of Wake County, eventually becoming its longest resident.
“She’s notorious for her hilarious facial expressions, her ‘zoomies’ where she runs around the play yard so fast that her front half can’t seem to keep up with her back, and her love of cuddling and belly rubs,” spokesperson Samantha Ranlet told McClatchy News in an email.
As Champagne waited for a new home, she also was known for being anxious around new people.
“She was a scared girl, having what we call ‘stranger danger,’” the shelter wrote. “It was hard for Champagne to connect with visitors — to her, everyone who walked by her room looked like a threat.”
As shelter workers helped her become more comfortable around people, another factor made adoption difficult. Champagne wasn’t a big fan of other dogs, so she needed to live in a home without them, according to a previous social media post.
Then in April, a “special” North Carolina family started to turn her luck around.
“They understood Champagne needed more than other dogs,” the shelter wrote. “She needed time — and patience. So they visited her. And again. And again.”
When the family finally gave Champagne a new home, the occasion was marked with a shelter-wide celebration — and lots of happy tears.
“We truly could not be happier for this day,” the SPCA wrote. “We are beyond grateful for Champagne’s new family with all of their patience, dedication, and open hearts.”
This story was originally published May 22, 2024 at 12:47 PM with the headline "‘Scared’ shelter dog needed time to build trust. So, NC family visited her — 15 times."
