When Adri Rachelle noticed a small brown shape dart across the road in front of her car, she slammed on the brakes without hesitation. What she saw next made her heart drop — a frightened little beagle standing frozen in fear.
Rachelle brought the dog home, determined to keep her safe. But once inside, it was clear just how terrified the pup was. The dog, later named Mocha, pressed herself against walls and corners, barely daring to move.
“She wouldn’t even look anyone in the eye,” Rachelle said in a video for The Dodo.
Rachelle could tell Mocha had never known comfort or safety indoors. Her fear ran deep, and trust would not come quickly.
“It was obvious from the beginning that she wasn’t used to being inside a house,” Rachelle said.
Instead of rushing her, Rachelle gave Mocha exactly what she needed: time, patience and gentle encouragement. With the help of a few irresistible treats, Mocha slowly began to relax and show glimpses of her sweet personality.
But the biggest breakthrough came when Mocha met Rachelle’s other dogs.
“After the first few days, we let her spend time outside with our dogs,” Rachelle said. “That’s when things really started to change.”
Watching the confident pups helped Mocha realize she was safe. Day by day, she grew braver, following their lead and learning to trust the humans around her.
“Since then, she’s made incredible progress,” Rachelle said. “Now she climbs into my lap and lets me pet her everywhere.”
Looking back, Rachelle is grateful she was in the right place at the right time to help Mocha.
“Watching her transform makes every bit of effort worth it,” she said.
