Ebenezer

Description

Hi, I’m Ebenezer!    I’m an approximately 4-year-old, 40-pound boy, and my rescue friends believe I’m a Kai Ken mix, possibly with some Shepherd mixed in. I’m a handsome guy, but my friends will tell you that what makes me special is my heart—and how far I’ve come.   When I first came into rescue, I was completely shut down. My time in the shelter was incredibly traumatic for me, and I also arrived with an injury to my back. I was scared, overwhelmed, and completely unsure of what was happening around me. Everything had changed, and I didn’t know where I was or who I could trust. I didn’t want to leave my kennel. I didn’t want to explore. I didn’t want to interact with the world around me. I just wanted to feel safe. And even though I was scared and hurting, there was something my foster family noticed right away: I was always incredibly sweet and friendly. I never stopped wanting kindness. I never stopped wanting affection. I just needed time to feel safe enough to accept it.   So they gave me time. They let me decompress. They gave me a quiet, predictable routine and allowed me to move at my own pace. They didn’t force me to be brave before I was ready. Instead, they showed me over and over again that I was safe. And slowly, I started to come around. At first, my progress was measured in tiny steps. I became more comfortable in my surroundings. I started venturing out of my safe space. Then I began exploring more of the house. And eventually, I discovered the backyard. Now I RUN around the yard, explore, and actually enjoy myself! I’ve also discovered toys, and I really enjoy playing with them. Plus, I am fully house trained. Even when I’m scared, I don’t have accidents. But one of my biggest breakthroughs has been discovering how much I love affection. These days, I want to be petted whenever I get the chance. I’ll come looking for attention and enjoy being close to my people. After everything I’ve been through, I think I’ve finally figured out something pretty important: I just want to be loved.   I’m also an amazing watchdog. I’m naturally alert and observant, and I take my job of keeping an eye on my home very seriously. If something catches my attention, I’ll make sure you know about it! I’m currently fostered with children and small dogs, and I do well with them. Once I know someone and feel comfortable, I can be a very sweet, happy companion.   But there’s something important you should know about me. Meeting new people and new dogs can be very scary for me. I can become incredibly frightened when I’m introduced to someone or another dog I don’t know. I need slow, thoughtful introductions and time to figure out that I’m safe. I’m not the dog who is going to walk up to every stranger or new dog and immediately make friends. But that doesn’t mean I can’t trust. It just means I need you to give me the chance. Every day, I come a little farther out of my shell. Every day, I show a little more of my personality. And every day, I’m learning that the world doesn’t have to be such a scary place.   My future adopter will need to understand that I’m going to need time to decompress in a new home, just like I did when I first came into rescue. I’ll need patience, consistency, structure, and someone who will allow me to build trust at my own pace. I may not trust you immediately. But when I do trust you, it will mean something. Because you’ll know that I chose you. You’ll get to experience the first time I come to you for affection. The first time I bring you a toy. The first time I run around your backyard without a care in the world. The first time I look at you and realize that you’re my safe person. And eventually, the day I finally know that I’m home.   My rescue friends believe that earning my complete trust will be one of the greatest rewards my adopter could ever experience. I think they’re right. I’m not looking for someone to fix me. I’m looking for someone who will understand me, be patient with me, and give me the time I need to become the dog I know I can be. I’ve already come so far. There’s still so much more of me waiting to come out. And if you’re willing to be patient and take that journey with me, I promise it will be worth it. Because underneath the fear is a sweet, affectionate, playful boy who just wants what every dog deserves: A safe place to call home. And someone to love. Maybe that someone is you.   Love, Ebenezer