Georgia Dog Shook In Her Kennel And Tried To Disappear, Then Something Changed In The Yard
Tiya was terrified, shaking, and placed on the shelter’s at-risk list. But a Georgia volunteer refused to give up on the senior dog.
A Trembling Soul
In the loud, overwhelming environment of the shelter, one senior dog was trying her hardest to disappear.
She was visibly shaking in her kennel, terrified of the world around her.
The shelter estimated her to be 12 years old, making the harsh reality of kennel life even harder on her fragile body.
She was so scared that she made herself as small as possible, hoping to go unnoticed.
A Heartbreaking Sight
When a volunteer at Fulton County Animal Services in Atlanta, Georgia, first saw Tiya, her heart instantly broke.
The senior dog was completely shut down and refused to leave her enclosure.
In fact, she had to be gently carried outside just to use the bathroom or have her kennel cleaned.
Though she seemed to enjoy the company of other dogs, her fear of people kept her entirely isolated.
A Stray Family Torn Apart
Tiya’s heartbreaking situation began before she ever arrived at the shelter.
She was originally found by one of the shelter’s kennel techs, Gracie, alongside two other dogs.
The trio looked like they were related, leading rescuers to believe they might have been dumped together.
Gracie had been patiently feeding them on the streets, hoping to gain their trust and bring them to safety.
The Midnight Complaint
Unfortunately, the rescue plan was abruptly interrupted by a neighborhood dispute.
One night, a neighbor made a noise complaint at 2:00 AM, frustrated that the stray dogs were barking.
Animal control was called to the scene and managed to trap two of the dogs, including Tiya.
Tragically, the third dog evaded capture and was left behind on the streets.
Left Behind in the Shelter
Once at the shelter, the two captured dogs faced very different fates.
The younger, cuter dog was quickly pulled by a rescue organization.
Tiya, however, ended up staying behind.
Older and completely shut down, she was easily overlooked by potential adopters and rescues alike.
A Dire Diagnosis
As the days passed, Tiya’s condition worsened, and she struggled to cope with shelter life.
The shelter staff determined she was not doing well and added her to the at-risk list due to a poor quality of life.
For the volunteer who had fallen in love with her, this was a red alert.
She knew Tiya was now on the urgent list and desperately needed a way out before it was too late.
A Small Miracle in the Yard
Determined to save her, the volunteer started working with Tiya more frequently to build trust.
She asked a couple of volunteer friends, along with Gracie the kennel tech, to help bring Tiya outside again.
Being in the yard with four people was a lot for a terrified dog, but a miracle happened.
Instead of freezing, Tiya started walking around and actually sniffing her human companions.
A Desperate Plea Online
Seeing Tiya finally come out of her shell, the volunteer knew this was their golden opportunity.
She immediately pulled out her phone and created an Instagram reel to highlight the senior dog’s sweet personality.
She hoped the video would reach someone willing to give an older, shy dog a second chance.
The internet did not disappoint.
Learning What Love Feels Like
The very next day, a kindhearted person saw the video and stepped up to pull Tiya for foster.
Away from the noise of the shelter, the senior dog is finally opening up.
She is even wagging her tail, discovering the comforts of a quiet home.
For a dog like Tiya, feeling the love of a family is a massive, beautiful change that saved her life.
