In Massachusetts, a dog named Alsana was kept in a backyard for breeding purposes. Over the years, she had litter after litter until her owner-breeder found no use for her and discarded her somewhere in the town.
Animal control officers found the poor dog in horrible condition and took her to the local shelter. There, the volunteers and workers were speechless and astonished, learning how frightened she was.
Alsana refused to interact with anybody, and with how she reacted to people around her, it appeared impossible to have someone who could adopt and take care of such a petrified and anxious dog – then came the perfect family.
Kara Pittsley was contacted by a friend associated with a rescue group and thought she might be interested in helping Alsana. Immediately, Pittsley communicated with the shelter and was told about the dog’s condition. They explained to her that the dog could only be transferred to a rescue that is well–equipped to handle and take care of such a traumatized and fearful dog.
With almost everyone less optimistic, Pittsley became more determined to help the dog.
Alsana wasn’t aggressive but concerned with the workers because she was reticent and almost motionless. She would stop breathing if anyone walked near her kennel.
Pittsley spoke with her husband and showed Alsana’s pictures, and they both agreed to get and save the dog.
The Pittsleys came to the shelter with their trainer and friend, the president of a rescue group they once fostered.
When they took Alsana out of her kennel, she ran frantically. The trainer and president established that it would take a lot of time and work to rehabilitate Alsana. But the Pittsley spouses are just more than committed. Problems or not, Alsana is theirs, and they’re bringing her home.
Other than her anxiety and extreme fright, Alsana had medical conditions, too. Her ears were cropped and severely damaged, resulting in constant ear infections, and it took several weeks to get Alsana better.
But once she got her vet’s clearance, Alsana was allowed to be around her two dog siblings. This was when Pittsley noticed a massive difference in her. Her face lit up and became wiggly.
Slowly, Alsana made a connection with her sibling dogs as well as her parents.
In the present, Alsana is no longer the terrified and anxious dog she was before. She enjoys hiking and camping with her new family and loves the outside, even when people are around.
Photo Credits to Kara Pittsley via The Dodo
“She went from running away when we looked at her to wanting to watch us and with us all the time,” said Pittsley to The Dodo.
