As an unprecedented cold wave hit Texas (United States), a local volunteer named Zuly Ventura Vasquez walked the streets of Houston looking for animals to rescue. This is how she came across a poignant scene; an extremely skinny stray dog was wrapped around her puppy to give him some warmth.
Up Pup and Away
Knowing full well that their chances of survival were slim, Zuly Ventura Vasquez came to the aid of the canine duo and contacted the shelter Houston K-911 Rescuewho took care of them straight away.
The puppy and his mother were given names inspired by the saga Star Wars : Luke for the first, Leia for his admirable mother.
The photo showing Leia protecting her little one from the cold was shared on social networks and quickly went viral, sparking an outpouring of emotion and solidarity. The team of Up Pup and Awayan association based in Colorado, was touched by this story. She offered to take care of them and find adopters for them.
Up Pup and Away
“She was shy, but incredibly sweet”
Treatments for dirofilariasis (heartworm disease), Leia And Luke made the journey to Denver (Colorado) and were placed in the care of foster families. That of the puppy ended up succumbing to the temptation of “foster fail”; she decided to adopt him.
Up Pup and Away
Leia learned to relax and overcome her trauma from her host mother Tory Shulman. “ When I saw the photo, I knew I was going to welcome Leiaexplains the latter to The Dodo. She was shy, but incredibly sweet. »
The dog was then transferred to another temporary home and quickly adapted to her new environment. She even gets along very well with the family's other dog, aged 8.
Leia is now waiting to find him an adopter. “ I visit him often, and we go on long hikes with his new host family and his dognoted Tory Shulman. She is so grateful to have a loving home. »
Up Pup and Away
Woopets info: why do some rescued dogs develop great emotional dependence?
In dogs like Leiahaving experienced wandering, cold and insecurity, human proximity can quickly become a real source of comfort. After a period of survival where every resource (heat, food, protection, etc.) was uncertain, humans are often seen as an essential anchor point.
This emotional reconstruction can, however, be accompanied by a form of emotional dependence. Leialike many canines rescued in similar conditions, can thus constantly seek the presence of its host family or human landmarks, for fear of reliving a situation of abandonment or danger.
With time and a stable environment, this behavior generally tends to calm down. The regularity of interactions, patience and the establishment of progressive separations allow the dog to gain emotional autonomy, while maintaining a healthy bond of trust with humans.