Volunteers at Safe Rescue are used to difficult and often heartbreaking cases.
They work tirelessly to save dogs from pounds in Romania, finding them loving homes in the UK.
"Sad and broken"
But even for the most experienced volunteers, some stories are still particularly upsetting.
"Richelle is one of the most sad and broken dogs that I’ve met in a while, and I really do meet a lot of sad and broken dogs", explained the founder of Safe Rescue.
She was cowered in a corner of a pen when we visited the Botosani public shelter in January. Her body language was absolute hopelessness and despair. She flinched and whimpered at every touch and in the days we were there we never once saw her hold her head up".
The team brought her to the UK at the first possible opportunity, settling her into a loving foster home.
But despite her foster family's best efforts, Richelle is still living with the trauma of her past.
"She continues to act like she’s about to be beaten at any moment", confirms her write up. "She is at complete conflict between enjoying the fuss and expecting the worst at any second".
Unravelling the damage of her past
Richelle's foster family is working hard to show this sweet girl the good side of humans, and little by little, she is learning to enjoy the company of familiar people.
She now wags her tail when she seems them approaching, and she's even started going out on short walks.
Richelle will need an experienced home, willing to take things at her own pace. With love and patience, Safe Rescue is certain"she can live a happy and fulfilled life, and the moments of peace and happiness will outweigh the episodes of fear".
