Mitzee joined us in 2022 five days before her 13th birthday, surrendered by the woman who’d had her since puppyhood. The woman had found herself in an abusive living situation and although she couldn’t bring herself to leave that situation, she did want to make sure her beloved dog was safe.
A beautiful border collie/cattle dog mix, Mitzee was quite shut down when she moved into The Hut, troubled by what had gone on in her recent past and worried about her new environment. She kept to herself for weeks, decompressing and trying to come to terms with this new place and these new people and these many dogs. Everyone, including the dogs, gave her the space she seemed to need. And then Arthur, the big border collie, decided the time had come for Mitzee to leave the protective shell she had created for herself. He demanded she engage in play, lying near her and doing dog slaps in her direction. And she responded, lying down and slapping back! It was the beginning of a slow but steady willingness to engage with this new place and her new life.
She likes things to be calm and predictable–always choosing a bed in a distant corner, probably so she can escape if she needs to–but now approaches many of the volunteers, accepting some affection before retreating to her bed. She enjoys roaming the play yard, and lying in the sunshine. And she seems mostly relaxed and content, apparently having come to understand that she is safe.
