Dog Crying From Happiness After Being Adopted

Niya, the rescue dog was one of the worst cases to be seen at the Gibson County Animal Shelter in Trenton, Tennessee.

It was clear that she had been physically abused in the past. She was so frightened that she had completely shut down in her kennel. When Kimberley Slown went to visit her, she just knew that she had to take her home with her.

Kimberly has rescued hundreds of dogs through her organization, Arrow Dog Rescue. None were quite as traumatized as poor Niya. She had a gash above the eye, which suggested that she had been hit with some kind of tool.

But worst of all was the effect that the abuse had had on Niya mentally. The sweet dog was so frightened that when Kimberly went to pick her up. She stood pressed against the wall of the back of her kennel, tail between her legs.

Kimberly had to carry Niya into the car- all 47 pounds of her. She found a corner of the house that she felt safe in and slept for two nights and a day. But on the second night, something began to switch in Niya’s mind.

And as her owner’s arm dangled from the side of the bed, she went over hesitantly and sniffed it. Kimberly woke up to the feeling of warm breath on her hand and was overcome with emotions when she realized that the scared little dog was finally gaining some confidence.

“She just breathed into my hand and I woke up and immediately paid attention to her, petting her and talking to her. She smiled and leaned in,” said Kimberly.

It was as if Niya wanted to thank her for taking her home from the shelter. Day by day, the scared little dog’s confidence is starting to come back, and it’s so rewarding for Kimberly to see. Soon after, she settled into her first real bed. Best of all was the moment when her tail wagged for the first ever time.