Honeysuckle

Honey originally came from a field where she was surviving with her five puppies for months before they were finally rescued. Because of that difficult start, life with people is still something she is learning to trust. She currently lives in a home with four other dogs and does beautifully with them—she has never shown any signs of aggression toward dogs or people. In fact, she is incredibly tolerant, even when our small chihuahua sneaks under the bed to eat her food or steal her toys. Honey simply allows it and keeps to herself.

People, however, are still very scary for her. Her safe place is usually under the bed, where she spends much of her time, but she does come out when asked and, more recently, has started choosing to come out on her own more often to hang nearby. Over the past couple of months, we’ve even seen small but exciting milestones—tail wags, play bows, and brief moments of “play” from a distance. These may seem small, but for Honey, they are huge steps forward.

Interestingly, Honey seems to trust children more easily than adults and will allow them to approach her more comfortably. She also walks fairly well on a leash, though she is a flight risk when scared, so she will require a very secure and mindful approach to handling at all times, including double leashing for safety.

Honey will thrive in a calm, patient home with someone who understands fearful dogs and is willing to move at her pace. A secure fenced yard or very careful leash handling will be essential. She would also likely benefit from a confident, friendly dog companion to help her continue building trust and confidence.

Honey may never be the outgoing, affectionate dog some people expect—but that’s okay. She deserves a home that loves her exactly as she is, without expectations of who she “should” become. And for the right person, being part of her slow, steady journey toward trust is incredibly rewarding. 💛