Losing a beloved pet is one of the most heartbreaking moments in an owner’s life. After spending so many happy days with your furry companion, it’s incredibly difficult to suddenly wake up without them by your side.
However, life goes on, and while the wounds on your soul may never fully heal, finding a way to be happy again is essential. One of the best ways to do that is by welcoming a new canine companion into your life, someone who can fill the void left behind.
This is exactly what a young couple from Maine did after they lost their longtime furry friend, Lola. But their new dog was different in so many ways.
A Wounded Soul
Before Shelby and Asher adopted her, Fawn was found by the rescue team of The Sato Project on a beach in Puerto Rico. Her life had been anything but easy, but her luck changed when these two kind souls decided to give her a home.
When Shelby and Asher set out to pick up Fawn at the airport, they were filled with excitement, hoping this new addition would help them move on from the loss of their beloved Lola.
As soon as they met Fawn, she was in their arms, on her way to her forever home. During the drive to their house in Maine, nothing seemed out of the ordinary in Fawn’s behavior.
But once they arrived home, Shelby and Asher began to notice how deeply wounded Fawn’s soul was. She was extremely nervous and seemed terrified of them.
Fawn found solace in a warm bed, where she stayed all night, too scared to move. In the days that followed, she would take the toys her new parents bought her and play with them alone, hiding under a chest of drawers.
“She just wouldn’t let us get anywhere near her,” Shelby shared in an interview with The Dodo.
Although they were saddened by Fawn’s fear and reminded of Lola’s completely different demeanor, Shelby and Asher decided to respect Fawn’s boundaries, patiently waiting to earn her trust. They were confident that the moment would come eventually.
And they were right.
“Suddenly, a Wild Puppy”
A few days after bringing Fawn home, Shelby and Asher decided to throw a pajama party for her. To their delight, this event marked a turning point—Fawn finally began to open up.
“Shelby was the first person she plopped down onto,” Asher joyfully recalled. Soon after, Fawn started snuggling with him too, a clear sign that things were changing for the better.
“Then, it was like overnight—she was suddenly a wild puppy,” Asher said. “It was like she was getting to have her puppyhood again.”
It was one of the happiest moments of Shelby and Asher’s lives, and nothing was the same after that.
Fawn became a brand-new dog, embracing her new family in so many ways: going on adventures with them, training with Asher, enjoying treats, and so much more.
“Our bond is even stronger because I really had to work to earn her trust,” Asher shared. Shelby added, “Having Fawn around has brought so much joy back into my life.”
Though recovering from Lola’s loss and gaining Fawn’s trust was challenging, it was all worth it in the end. Once again, their home was filled with happiness and love.
