“She had defeated, empty eyes.”
Chelsea Elizabeth Cossairt found Clementine’s photo online only two days before she was scheduled to be put to death.
Animal control had discovered the thin dog roaming the streets of Southern California many weeks before. She was placed on “death row” at the shelter because of her various health difficulties, but something in the little photo called to Cossairt’s heart.
So she filled out an application and received a call from a rescue organization right away.
Cossairt told The Dodo, “The worker at Ginger’s Pet Rescue was stunned and in tears that we were interested in her.” “She informed us that out of the hundreds of applications for dogs they’d received in the preceding three weeks, not one was for Clementine.”
The rescue worker noted that given Clementine’s current condition, the dog faced a lengthy and unpredictable journey. Cossairt, on the other hand, already knew she’d do whatever to help the abandoned puppy recuperate.
When Cossairt eventually met Clementine, it was evident that the pup had never experienced love.
“Clementine was scared of people and refused to look anyone in the eyes,” Cossairt explained. “For months, she trembled all the time, hid behind furniture, and sat facing the wall.”
“She had dejected, vacant eyes,” she went on to say. “She never glanced at us, and she lowered her head whenever we came close to her.”
Clementine, on the other hand, trusted other dogs and was quickly drawn to her new furry siblings, Moose and Maple. Cossairt glimpsed a glimmer of the joyful dog Clementine may become at that moment.
“She took solace in being close to them and going with them as a pack about the home or yard,” Cossairt explained.
Clementine began to feel better and quit shivering after several vet visits and months of therapy for illnesses and allergies. She even worked up the bravery to look her human parents in the eyes.
Seven months later, Clementine’s new favorite pastime is gazing lovingly at her mother.
“She loves to look us in the eyes as we pet her, and she’s quite attentive when we talk to her,” Cossairt added. “She’s still apprehensive of new people and gets scared by us if we move too rapidly or come up behind her, but she’s gone a long way.”
Clementine is like a whole different dog now, full of curiosity and fun, as if she’s reliving puppyhood for the first time. Most significantly, she now feels protected.
“She rests at our feet while we work from home and enjoys belly massages after finally revealing her tummy to us for petting last month,” said Cossairt. “She ‘boops’ everything in sight – we believe it’s her way of investigating and determining what things are.” She’s so puppy-like that we’re not sure how she got to be a puppy at all. She’ll nudge your hand if you’re not caressing her or if you come to a halt and she’s not finished yet.”
Clementine has progressed so much after her adoption that she is no longer recognized as the terrified puppy that faced the walls. She’d do anything for her family now, and they can’t imagine their lives without her.
“She’s such a nice and kind girl, “According to Cossairt. “We could see right away that she simply wants to love and be loved in return. She’s protective and loyal to us, and she follows us around everywhere.”