by Kimberley Slown has devoted her life to saving dogs through her rescue organization, Arrow Dog Rescue. As a dog rescuer, she’s saved the lives of hundreds of dogs. One dog she recently rescued showed her appreciation in a way that touched Kimberley to the core.
Niya was rescued from the Gibson County Animal Shelter in Trenton, Tennessee. When Kimberley arrived at the shelter to pick her up, the dog was so scared that she kept her tail tucked between her legs and wouldn’t move. Kimberley had to have help picking the 47-pound dog up and carrying her to the car.
Niya was terrified about what awaited her. She was obviously suffering from abuse, with cuts and wounds all over her body. Her ears had also been cut, probably as an attempt to prepare the puppy to a life of dog fighting.
But after a solid rest, Niya began to warm up to her new surroundings. She even sought out comfort from her rescuer and to say “thank you”.
“Niya is making so much more progress than we ever thought possible so quickly,” Kimberley wrote on Facebook. “She has only been here for a couple of days and last night she came and woke me up 5 times in the middle of the night by putting her muzzle into my hand. She even followed me to the bathroom!”
Kimberley was overwhelmed with emotion by Niya’s tender gesture. Although it is evident Niya has been traumatized by her past, Kimberley is hopeful for the future.
“As we pet her more we find more and more wounds on her body. She is literally covered in slashes, gouges, punctures, and the wound on her face is shaped very much like a Hoe. We are hoping that wasn’t what happened, that she was hit in the face with a hoe,” she wrote. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to teach her love.”
Niya how has a comfy bed and plush toys to call her own and she loves to play and cuddle with them.
Arrow Dog Rescue
Niya needs lots of rest as she is treated for the hookworms and whipworms she has. After one week, Niya was showing more signs of healing.
Arrow Dog Rescue
“Today after we left to drop our daughters at homeschool art class and returned, Niya came all the way out of the bedroom and most of the way down the hallway to see us. She was dancing and swatting at the air with her front paw like she was saying come over here where I can bop you with my paw. This is the first time she has willingly left our bedroom.”
Niya was quite scared of other dogs at first, and Kimberly hopes that she “will learn they are mostly good for fun and snuggling”. And it seems after some careful introductions to her dogs, Niya has “suddenly exploded out of her shell and is happy, happy, happy”. She now seeks them out to play with.
“Watching her play last night for the first time, watching her smile, play bow, dance…it all is so overwhelming that I find myself crying every time. We are certain she is still a puppy. We have such hope for her.”
Update: July 2017
Niya has come a long way since her rescue in September of 2016 and she is now looking for a forever home! She needs a fenced yard, can live with a similar-sized playful Male dog 40+lbs (no small dogs or female dogs), and a human with a lot of patience and able to give her a lifetime commitment.
Arrow Rescue writes:
“We love her like crazy but she needs to move on so that we can help another who needs us for 9 months to get well. She also has to be kept apart from our small dogs. We are not her forever family. As you can see from the many photos she is an amazingly beautiful, courageous, resilient, strong, healthy, and loving dog.”
“She is good with cats, has a history of being unsafe with small dogs, and moody with females. She prefers the boys, and would do well with a dog at least 45 lbs, who loves to chase and wrestle with another pooch. She still needs to learn to walk in a leash but her future is unlimited.”
“She still remembers some of her abuse: anything like a broom, mop or long handled anything causes her to panic and pee on the floor if one is raised up. She is not a fan of new people and might have to see them for 6 months or longer before she will remain in the room with them.”
“With her person she loves, and she will love again, she is passionate about. She loves to throw herself on the bed so that she can be spooned by me. She stands still for a nail trim, and will get into her crate willingly anytime you ask her to. She loves toys and doesn’t shred the stuffies. She might steal your shoes but only to sleep with, not to chew. We need all of your help to find a home for Niya. She is only 18 months and has bunny soft fur. She needs good news!”
You can follow Niya’s progress with Arrow Rescue and contact them if you think you can offer Niya a forever home on their Facebook page.
Please share Niya’s story with your friends to help her find a home and wish her the best.
