Story #34: The Power of Going Slow
As told by Katarina Lenertz, Behavior and Training Specialist at Anderson Humane
The Dog Who Stayed With Me
I met Milton while working with him in the shelter, and something about him stayed with me. He was a senior Chihuahua with a quiet, guarded presence. The kind of dog who watched everything, flinched easily, and carried his past in his body.
Milton came from a hoarding situation in Missouri. He was one of seventeen dogs tied up outside.
For most of his life, the world had taught him that people were unpredictable and safety was temporary. I brought him home as a foster because I wanted him to experience something different.
A calm space. Gentle voices. Time to just exist without being afraid.
When Milton first arrived, he was scared of everything, especially people.
I gave him his own safe space, but after a few days it was clear that being alone was harder than being close. So he joined me and my little Chihuahua mix in my bedroom.
That first night, Milton tried desperately to get out of his contained space. Not to run away. To be near us. By the next morning, he was glued to my side. Wherever I went, he followed. He became my little shadow, quietly asking to be part of our world.
About a week in, Milton started to change.
He began to play. He looked forward to meals with a joy that made me smile every single time. While I prepared his food, he would bounce off me with excitement, like he could not believe good things kept happening.
When we tried going outside for the first time, even a leash felt overwhelming for him. Given his past, anything that reminded him of being tied up brought fear. So I used a piece of ribbon instead. Soft, light, and safe. It was all he could manage, and it was perfect.
Every small step mattered.
When Milton met his adopter, I felt pure happiness.
They connected immediately. I watched him lean into her, curious and open in a way he never had been before. I knew in that moment that he was going to be cherished.
She still sends me updates and silly videos. Milton is thriving. He is playful, confident, and deeply bonded with his canine brother. Seeing how far he has come fills my heart every time.
I adored Milton. Watching him heal in real time changed me. It deepened my understanding of fear, resilience, and what it truly takes for an animal to feel safe in a home.
His journey made me a better trainer, a better advocate, and a better listener. It also reminded me why these stories matter.
I share Milton’s story whenever I can.
For anyone living with a scared dog, there is a moment when their personality finally breaks through. When it does, it is magical.
Milton showed me that patience and compassion create transformation. And once fear softens into trust, everything changes.
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